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TRENDING:
What: Division IV state semifinal
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 6
Where: Crater Stadium, 803 East 7th Street, Dover (Note: The match was initially set for Coshocton. But a venue-change request was made to the OHSAA due to travel disparity, which was granted.)
Records: Beachwood 19-1-2, Warsaw River View 19-1-2
What’s next: Winner advances to the state final at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 against Cincinnati Madeira or Worthington Christian at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
What to look for: Beachwood no longer has to fall into a “what if” category, notching its first boys soccer state final four berth in school history. The Bison’s lone loss came to D-III final four side Twinsburg, 3-2, on Oct. 10. Grant Keilin is the man at the controls, with 42 goals and 17 assists on the fall as he pushes for what appears to be a likely second straight All-America honor. His distribution knack, lethal left foot and physicality 1v1 are just a few of the components of a complete game. Complementing his skill set is an outstanding 11. Jaycob Zabell (16-10) operates well in conjunction with Keilin. Asher Gearity (15-9) and Daniel Park (8-8) are impressive getting into the attack, and Jose Agudelo (4-7) contributes pace and width. Center back Kyle Bennett and goalkeeper Josh Rosenblitt lead a defensive-third group that, when tested, can rise to the occasion. Beachwood’s ability to possess, smart and quick, limits that need. But it is there. Next up in this inaugural state semifinal trip is Warsaw River View. The Black Bears are on a 17-match unbeaten run since their lone loss, 3-1 at Marietta on Aug. 26. River View has a big-time attacker in its own right in Hayden Walters (36-5), with Parker Andrews (20-9) and Cael Summers (10-12) being tough customers in the offensive third as well, among others. Perhaps a silver lining for Beachwood here is the Black Bears concede just a bit more than final four sides typically do, with 20 goals allowed. At less than a goal per match, that’s not to imply they’re not sturdy in the back — they are. But it’s not necessarily a brick wall, either. They’ll know about Keilin and will look to limit his touches, so it feels like a match in which Zabell or Gearity could have a big role as the Bison seek the ultimate and a first trip to Columbus.
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