Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It was a good week thanks to good defense.

The St. Joseph Flyers blanked the Adena Warriors 4-0 on Tuesday and downed the Greenup County Musketeers 4-1 on Thursday as they improved to 4-0 in part to a strong defensive effort.

“This was a good week for us. The team played hard, smart and together,” said Flyers’ coach Mike Balestra who offered praised to defensive players Daniel Hodges, Chase Walters, Clay Willis, Ethan Clark and T.J. Stone.

“Our defense worked great to keep a good amount of possession in both games. Izack Unger started in place of our injured goalie Bradley Rist and was good in the goal as well.”

Four different players registered goals in the win over Adena. Tre Neal, Isaac Whaley, Bryson Canter and Peyton Adkins all scored with Blake Balestra and Whaley each getting an assist.

Goalkeepers Unger and Ethan Sheridan combined to blank Adena. St. Joseph had 40 shots on goal to just three for Adena.

The Flyers also had eight corner kicks and four fouls. Adena had two fools.

“We came out scoring early and that was the key,” said coach Balestra. “We had four different players score goals in the first half. It was great teamwork. We played really well both offensively and defensively.”

Adkins provided the bulk of the scoring against Greenup County with three goals. Zach McGraw scored the other goal and had an assist. Whaley had two assists. Unger had three saves.

Kyle Gammon scored the Musketeers’ lone goal. Baylor Ruark had five saves.

St. Joseph notched 20 shots on goal to five for Greenup. The Flyers also had three corner kicks and eight fouls while Greenup and two corner kicks and five fouls.

“Peyton had a good night recording a hat trick. We possessed the ball and played well as a team from back to front,” said coach Balestra.

St. Joseph played Portsmouth West on Wednesday but the game was suspended due to lightning with 17 minutes to play.

The Flyers travel to Lucasville Valley on Tuesday.