Squires Topple TRC Foe Tippecanoe ValleyAKRON – Already an established program, as described by Tippecanoe Valley coach Mark Gordon, the future appears bright for Manchester High School's varsity boys soccer team.
That was evident yet again Tuesday evening as the Squires beat the host Vikings 13-0 in Three Rivers conference action.
All 13 Manchester goals were scored by underclassmen, including six by sophomore Harley Kruschwitz and four by classmate Caleb Stout.
Junior Brandon Wagoner scored twice, while classmate Isaiah Davis rounded out the offensive onslaught with one goal.
“We were working on passing, and just trying to move the ball around,” said Manchester coach Dave McKee. “We did better in the first half than the second half.
“Hat's off to Tippy, they never gave up. They kept on working hard and did not start playing dirty, which some teams do.”
Kruschwitz scored four of his goals in the first half, leading the Squires to an 8-0 lead at the intermission.
His six goals tied a Manchester single-game record, matching the feat of Colin McNeeley and Elisiel Guerrero two years ago.
“He's just a sophomore, and that's a tough record,” McKee said of Kruschwitz's performance. “We're not going to let anyone break it ... six is more than enough goals in one game. He's just a really unselfish player. In the first half he passed it off when he could've scored.
“It's pretty much an unselfish team ... the same with Caleb. Caleb's also a sophomore, and I'm sure maybe before the season's over maybe he'll get a six-goal game. He's had a five-goal game.”
Manchester improved to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while the Vikings fell to 1-4 and 0-2.
“Manchester is an established program,” said Gordon. “(When we played them) last year it was 6-0 in the first half and we got rained out, stormed out. You're looking at an established program, quality players. They're just a head above us.
“I came out a little different today. I came out with one man up top. I came out with an odd-looking formation, and I said 'guys what we're trying to do here is try and hold them for 15 or 20 minutes to a goal or two.' We did nine or 10 minutes ... I thought it was gonna be quicker than that. Last year I think it was off the kickoff they went down and scored on us.
“We held them (scoreless) for nine or 10 minutes, and then there was grumblings. The captains were grumbling and said 'Coach, we wanna do something else.' So I said 'OK drop your fourth back there,' and in eight or nine minutes they had four more goals. I tried to use the adage you need to listen to what your coach says. If it had been the 20-minute mark and we were down 2-0 I'd have felt pretty good. At the 20-minute mark we were down five goals, or something."
Valley had just one shot on goal in the loss.
The Vikings are in action again Saturday at 10 a.m. when they play Logansport in a tournament at the Plymouth Blueberry Festival.
Manchester plays at Columbia City Thursday.
MANCHESTER 13, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 0
Man 8 5 – 13
TV 0 0 – 0
Manchester goals – Harley Kruschwitz 6, Caleb Stout 4, Brandon Wagoner 2, Isaiah Davis 1
Manchester assists – Kruschwitz 2, Mathias McLaughlin 2, Eric Morales 1, Justin Self 1, Nathan Self 1
Records: Manchester 6-1 (3-0 TRC), Valley 1-4 (0-2 TRC)
