Comets Open 2020 Campaign with a Tie against GCC Rival Strongsville

The Solon Comets (0-0-1) and Strongsville Mustangs (4-1-2, 2-0-1) battled to a one all tie in Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) play on Tuesday night.

The game was the first of the season for the Comets who last played October 30 of last year, 321 days ago in a 4-1 loss to the Medina Bees in the State Regional Semifinal game. The Comets looked fatigued at points during the game, but the coaches continued to put in fresh players and Solon remained competitive throughout the game. The Comets bench was outstanding with the starters and reserves playing equally well.

The Comets were a bit rusty on offense but still managed to pepper the Mustangs’ goal throughout the game but couldn’t find the back of the net until the referee called a handball in the Mustang penalty box early in the second half. Senior Midfielder Noah Jahnke made the most of the PK and scored in the righthand corner, but the lead was short lived.

The Mustangs scored on their second shot on goal all game off a corner kick that the Comets’ defense wasn’t able to clear. It was one of the few defensive miscues all night for the Comet defenders who looked really good against a Mustang offense that was playing in their seventh game of the season.

It looked like the Comets would win it when Senior Striker Eric Nouafo got past the Mustang defense and won the baseline before being brought down by a defender. The referee awarded another PK. Jahnke placed his shot right again but this time the Mustang goalie came up with a game-saving block to keep the game tied at one.

The Comets won’t have long to think about this one as they travel to Medina on Thursday for their second GCC game of the week. The Bees are the reigning GCC champions.

JV Comets Score 3-1 Win Over Strongsville in Season Opener 

The JV Comets played like seasoned veterans as they recorded their first win of the season against Strongsville on Tuesday night. While the JV Mustangs played their seventh game of the season, it was the Comets who took advantage of Strongsville miscues to record the 3-1 win.

Junior Forward Pinak Chitnis was the difference as he scored the JV Comets first goal of the season off a one-touch after receiving a header over the defense by Sophomore Diego Duran Flores. Chitnis wasn’t done though as he scored again minutes later after stripping the Mustang goalie of the ball to put the JV Comets up 2-0 early in the second half. 

Junior Forward Jack Riley rounded out the scoring on a freekick 30 yards out that he put on goal and just over the Mustang goalkeeper to put the JV Comets up 3-0. The JV Comets got careless late in the game and gave up a goal on a JV Mustangs corner kick with only minutes remaining. The final score was JV Comets 3-1 over the JV Mustangs.

Junior Goalkeeper Lucas He and Freshman Goalkeeper Ari Friedman shared the victory. The JV Comets are 1-0-0 overall and in GCC play this season.