After a disheartening setback to open last week, the Gilmour Academy varsity boys soccer team's resolve was on full display as the Lancers bounced back with a home victory to close the week.
Gilmour opened the week with a trip to North High School in Akron, Ohio. The Lancers opened up a 3-1 lead at halftime. However, a slow GA start to the second half allowed North to surge to a 4-3 edge, which the hosts maintained for the remainder of the match.
Alexander Beedles '22 scored Gilmour's opening goal, with an assist from Carter Richmond '25.
AJ Panzica '25 would then be involved in Gilmour's remaining two goals. He scored his first-career varsity goal, which was assisted by Triston Sherwood '23. Panzica then set up Ian Baird's '23 first goal of the season.
Gilmour had several chances to tie the match in the second half but could not punch one over the line.
Nathan Nootbaar '22 tallied seven saves in the setback.
When Gilmour returned to the comforts of Weber Stadium on the weekend, the Lancers got back in the win column. The Lancers tied their season high in goals en route to a 4-2 victory over Buckeye High School.
Beedles and Kyle Laws '22 used some nice combination play to allow the former to open the scoring in the 12th minute. Laws received the ball in stride on the right flank and immediately found the central run of Beedles. Beedles hit the ball first time past the onrushing goalkeeper and into the net.
Buckeye would tie the match about 10 minutes later, and the teams remained knotted 1-1 at halftime.
Eli Swirsky '23 helped turn the tide of the match toward Gilmour with his offensive contributions in the second half.
Seven minutes after the intermission, Beedles blocked an attempted clearance by Buckeye. Swirsky raced to recover the deflection and deftly played the ball to an open Laws near the left side of the goal mouth. Laws made no mistake from close range and gave the Lancers the lead.
About 10 minutes later, Swirsky produced a highlight-reel goal himself. John Stack '23 played a cross from deep on the right flank and Swirsky's header was brilliantly placed right under the bar, a beautiful finish that gave Gilmour a 3-1 lead.
Buckeye made the game interesting by scoring with just under 10 minutes to play.
However, Gilmour, and Beedles, were not done yet. The senior forward scored his second of the game in the closing minutes to effectively seal the win.
Nootbaar made seven saves in the win for Gilmour.
The Lancers have seven regular-season matches remaining, as a three-game homestand lies directly in between a pair of two-game road trips.
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