Friday, September 2nd, 2011

One goal enough for Titans to edge Bulldogs

By Gary R. Rasberry
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Celina's Nate Post, left, and Ottawa-Glandorf's Nate Brickner fight for the ball during their Western Buckeye League match on Thursday. Brickner assisted on the only goal in the Titans' 1-0 win over the Bulldogs.

CELINA - With both Celina and Ottawa-Glandorf playing a solid defensive game, it took an exceptional play to result in the lone goal of the match.
Eric Brickman's redirect of Nate Brickner's crossing pass allowed the Titans to remain undefeated on the season after a 1-0 win over the Bulldogs. O-G is now 3-0 on the season while Celina drops to 1-2.
Both coaches were happy with the way their teams' defenses played on the night as the teams combined for 16 shots on goal and 13 corner kicks.
"We held strong. Only gave up one goal," said Celina's coach Ryan Jenkins. "We had our chances offensively. Just couldn't find the back of the net. I told the guys (they had) a great effort on the evening. Played a very good team. Just came up one goal short."
"Kind of the theme we want to go by: bend, but don't break," said Titans' coach Mike Weihrauch. "We're trying to encourage playing for each other instead of the individual this year. The guys know if they make a mistake, there will be guys behind them to try and pick them up. Good solid team defense. Not always pretty, but in the end, it got the job done."  
The lone goal of the match came as the clock went under 14 minutes to play in the first half. Brickman fired a solid pass into the box, where Brickner deflected it past Celina's keeper Lucas Warner at the 13:50 mark.
That would be all that Warner and the Bulldogs would allow the rest of the way. Warner made three saves on the night as several O-G shots went wide or over the bar.
Celina, in the meantime, kept the pressure up on Titans' keeper Nate Schmiedebusch. Several times, the Bulldogs had a solid shot inside the box, but either Schmiedebusch made the save - seven in the match - or the defense stepped up to get the ball out of harm's way.
"The opportunities were there," said Jenkins. "(Schmiedebusch) made some great saves. There were 2-3 in the first half that were heading to the corners and he was there. Couldn't quite find one tonight."
The Bulldogs continued to put pressure on the Titans, getting several solid chances at the goal in the waning moments.
"Like I told the guys we didn't quit tonight," said Jenkins. "We had chances down to the last 20 seconds. Great effort by the guys. Didn't quit at all."
Celina did get the win in the junior varsity match 1-0 with Ethan Springer's second-half goal being the difference.
The Bulldogs will make its second trek to Putnam County in a week on Saturday, traveling to Kalida to face the Wildcats in a night contest.
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Economy dichotomy
The U.S. economy may be stagnant and unpredictable, but locally signs of growth are evident.
Mercer County tied for the lowest unemployment rate - 6.5 percent - in the state in July, and some business officials say their companies are recalling laid-off workers and hiring new employees.
Economy dichotomy
CELINA - Summer statistics at CALL Food Pantry in Celina - the largest pantry in Mercer County - soberingly counter the county's improving unemployment percentage: More people than ever in CALL's 21-year history are in need of food.
GRAND LAKE AREA - Two area dams - one supporting Grand Lake to the west and another in rural Fort Recovery - have minor problems but pose no immediate safety hazards, state officials say.
Street construction causes problems getting to exhibit
MINSTER - Area residents will have more time to "Meet the Steinemanns" at the Minster Historical Museum.
The display is being extended well into 2012 because people are experiencing problems getting to the museum with a large portion of Fourth Street closed for a construction project.
CELINA - City council members want to know if they can exclude elected city officials' spouses from using city insurance or at least assess a surcharge for their coverage to save money.
CELINA - Darrell Regedanz is unable to watch his grandson ride his bike because his house trailer doesn't have an attached ramp for his wheelchair.
Thanks to community volunteers, the 58-year-old Celina man will soon have the ability to go outside.
Attorneys for a 78-year-old St. Henry man charged with five counts of gross sexual imposition have withdrawn a motion to suppress statements he made to law enforcement officers.
A bishop, former pastors and the congregation of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Washington Township will celebrate its 150th anniversary on Sunday.
Bi
Volleyball Roundup
Compiled by Ryan Hines and Gary R. Rasberry
The streak is over.
Celina's volleyball team is the three-time defending Western Buckeye League champion, but the 2011 league opener ended in heartbreak for the Bulldogs.
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Celina improved to 3-0 in Western Buckeye League girls' tennis action on Thursday after a 5-0 sweep over Wapakoneta at the Booster Club Courts.
The Indianapolis 500 has the most famous three-wide start in all of auto racing. The start is one of the marquee moments of the event each year but it is far from the only race that features a three-abreast start.