Ross scores two, powers Rustin past Unionville
EAST MARLBOROUGH >> What transpired on Thursday evening at Unionville is likely what we are going to see for the rest of the boys’ soccer season when you pit upper echelon Ches-Mont teams head-to-head.
It was highly competitive and very physical, and unsurprisingly deadlocked until the closing minutes when visiting West Chester Rustin converted a restart into the game winner to inch past the Longhorns 2-1.
“Coming into Unionville is always going to be a test,” said Golden Knights’ head coach Ryan Castle. “They were coming off a tough loss to (West Chester) Henderson earlier in the week so you know you are probably going to get a wounded animal.
“But credit to our guys. We had a game plan, and we have a unified group. That shows up in these kinds of environments.”
Through 71-plus minutes of action, the score was 1-1. But left-footed freshman Brody Dunn delivered a free kick that somehow found its way to teammate Ryan Ross, and the junior directed it into the back of the net with 8:33 remaining. It was his second goal of the day.
“I saw the ball in the air, took a couple steps back and one step to the left, I jumped up for the ball and when it went in I celebrated with my teammates,” Ross explained.
Now 3-0 in the league (4-1 overall), the Knights salted away the final minutes. The Longhorns (1-2, 4-2) lone shot on goal in the second half came with 5:11 to go, but Rustin keeper Evan Chappell gobbled it up.
“This was a test, and we passed, but it’s the first of many in a long season,” Castle predicted.
“It comes down to those little moments. All three goals in this game came off of restarts. Those are the moments when a couple guys decide they want it, and that can change a game.”
The Knights had the edge in shots (7-4) and corners (4-1), but as the numbers indicate, there was very little room for either side to maneuver.
“Every time we play Rustin it’s a battle,” said Unionville head coach Rich Garber. “And then you turn the lights on (for a night game) and the intensity goes up even more.”
The Knights seized momentum from the start and scored just 122 seconds into the proceedings. It came off a free kick by junior Danny McGonagle that was tracked down and deposited into the net by junior Ross.
“There was a ball in the box, and my defender kind of let me go and I just put my foot on it,” Ross explained.
“We weren’t ready for the start of the game,” Garber added. “I told them at halftime that other than the first few minutes of the game, we were fine.”
The ’Horns nearly tied it midway through the first half when McGonagle was forced to make a save. And then about 10 minutes later Unionville did tie it when senior Drew Chamberlain got to a loose ball before Chappell to make it 1-1 at the intermission.
“Drew did that the other night as well. He gets in there, makes things happen and has been rewarded,” Garber said.
“We conceded a funky goal,” Castle added. “But how you respond is the key, and I think we did a great job of that in the second half.
Ross was emotional just moments after his team held on for the win in which he scored both of his side’s goals.
“We got a win, and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “I love my team and I give everything I’ve got for them.
“It’s tough to play here at night and (Unionville) is a good team.”
Castle added: “This is a moment for Ryan that he needed. It shows his growth and maturity over the last two years. He is beginning to make his mark with this group. Two goals at Unionville – you can’t go wrong with that.
“We talk about putting a ball in a dangerous spot where we can get to it and put it on frame. It’s a couple simple things, and if you do that, you get goals.”
As for ’Horns, it is the second setback in a row after opening the season with four victories.
“Our backs are outstanding,” Garber said. “We’ve had some issues defending in the midfield, and we are trying to shore that up, and now we’ve lost the attack part of it. We need to work on that.
“But they battled hard tonight. I have no qualms about how hard they worked. We just didn’t get a break. Give Rustin credit, they created their own stuff and made it happen.”
West Chester Rustin 2, Unionville 1
West Chester Rustin 1 1 — 2
Unionville 1 0 — 1
West Chester Rustin goals: Ross 2.
Unionville goals: Chamberlain.
Goalie saves: Chappell (WCR) 3; Teufel (U) 5.
