KIRTLAND—Kirtland started slowly in its 6-0 win over visiting Berkshire in a Chagrin Valley Conference game at Recreation Park on Tuesday.
Jeremy Lunka’s goal midway through the first half gave the Hornets a 1-0 lead with 21:57 left to play. Thirty seconds later, a thunderstorm ripped through the area forcing a 30-minute delay.
When play resumed, the Hornets played with more organization and scored five more goals to put away the Badgers.
“Despite the scoreline, I think we were a little flat today,” said Kirtland coach John Valentic. “We were not as sharp as we could have been. The second half was better, but still much to improve. The defense was solid again, which was encouraging. In the offensive third, when we move the ball quickly, we show some good signs of being dangerous and potent.”
Lunka and Ante Bevanda both scored two goals in the win while Evan Dures and Petar Mijic-Barisic each added one.
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Bevanda finished off a deflection to score his first goal and used an assist from Josip Mijic-Barisic on the second.
“Having started the season with two victories like these gives our team motivation to tackle bigger and better opponents in the future because we were able to realize that when we work hard together as a team we can certainly come out on top,” Bevanda said. “A game like this gives us a confidence boost because we now see that our formation and tactics work against our opponents. We are more confident that we can get the job done and come out on top.”
Mario Rodin, John Sayle, Christian Heimsoth, Lunka, Dures and Josip Mijic-Barisic all assisted on goals. Tyler Banyasz recorded one save in the win.
