Comets Swat Bees for 2-0 Win

In the past five years, the Solon Comets (4-2-1, 1-1-1) have had more trouble with the Brecksville-Broadview Hts. Bees (4-6-3) than any other team on their schedule. Each season the Comets play the Bees expecting the best, but too often suffer a stinging loss or tie. On Saturday, the Comets swatted the Bees for a 2-0 win.

Last year Senior Striker Eric Nouafo saved the Comets from a loss to the Bees with a game-tying goal with just 2:40 seconds left in the game. This season, early in the second half it was a deflected shot and a freekick from the top of the box that propelled the Comets to their third win-in-a-row on a five-game homestand.

The Comets were on the attack for much of the game and despite repeated shots, corner kicks and Senior Defender Ryan Funderburg’s long-distance throw ins inside the Bee’s penalty box, the game was scoreless at halftime.

All of the hard work and effort paid off early in the second half. Just nine minutes into the half, Senior Midfielder Noah Jahnke took a free kick from the far-right side of the box and put a beautiful cross to the point where Senior Jake Moss one-touched a shot toward the left side of the goal. The ball hit Senior Forward Andrew Messmer’s knee and redirected into the right side of the goal to give the Comets a 1-0 lead. Jake Moss did all of the work but Andrew Messmer (2) got the reward with the goal.

Often in close games, it’s a mistake that proves to be the difference. With 18 minutes left in the game and the Bees starting to press harder on the attack, the Bees Goalkeeper stepped out of his penalty box on a punt and was whistled for the handball at the top of the Bees penalty box.

Jahnke who set up the Comet’s first goal with his free kick cross this time took the direct kick. Either the Bee’s defensive wall wasn’t set up properly or Jahnke saw a hole in the far-left side of the wall. Jahnke put his shot past the side of the wall while sneaking it barely into the left corner of the goal to give the Comets a decisive 2-0 score that held up for the victory. It was Jahnke’s team-leading third goal of the season.

Senior Goalkeeper Zachary Baldwin and the Comets defense recorded their second shutout of the season. The Comets are in action next against Greater Cleveland Conference powerhouse Brunswick Blue Devils on Tuesday.  

Coach Greenhill's Men of the Match were Center Backs Senior Ben Moss and Junior Aaron Kaiser.