Undefeated Edison races past Norwalk

MILAN TWP. — Scoring goals is all the Edison boys soccer team knows. In a season that has seen the Chargers set a school record for goals, Edison found the net six more times en route to a 6-2 victory over visiting Norwalk. The matchup featured two of the top three teams in the Sandusky Bay Conference. Edison and Perkins are still undefeated in league play. Five different Chargers found the net as Edison improved to 11-0 overall and 6-0 in the SBC. "These guys love scoring goals," Edison coach Nate Leimeister said. "Any given game we can play 20 different guys. We have JV guys chomping at the bit. Tonight, Israyel Bellman scored a goal and he is a freshman." The high-powered Chargers — who have scored 102 goals this season — jumped ahead behind a goal in the seventh minute by Alex Davidson. The offensive prowess continued as Kellen McDonell scored in the 12th minute off a rebound to give the Chargers a 2-0 advantage. Norwalk responded in the 25th minute on a free kick by Jack Pittenger to close the score to 2-1. "I think we controlled the first 10 to 15 minutes tonight," Norwalk coach Chris Schnell said. "They are a very good team, and after they scored those first two goals, we put our heads down. But my guys responded well to adverse situations." Norwalk controlled the rest of the first half, getting a good look on goal before Kaden Mees made a crucial save to preserve Edison's lead in the 36th minute. Edison ended the half getting a good look on goal, but the shot went over the crossbar. "After we gave up that free kick, we started dropping and giving them too much space," Leimeister said. "Out of halftime, I told my guys to keep pushing and stepping up." After a back-and-forth first 15 minutes to the second half, Edison found the net in the 55th minute on a goal from Carter Jones after the ball bounced around the penalty area and found the feet of Jones, who slotted it in the lower corner. The Truckers answered in the 58th minute after a through ball to Lincoln Ward, who fought off his defender and placed a well-timed shot by Mees to close the Edison lead to 3-2. The scoring did not stop as Edison's Jose Sema Amaya found the net twice in the span of two minutes to extend the lead to 5-2. The Chargers ended the night getting a goal in the 84th minute by Bellman. Even in the loss, Norwalk (6-6, 6-1 SBC) still controls its own destiny in the SBC. "Our goal is to win the SBC," Schnell said. "It does not matter if it's outright or a share — the goal still remains the same. Now we got to go beat Perkins." Edison has no time to rest as it hosts two more matches this week, first versus Old Fort on Wednesday and then Saturday versus Elyria before hosting Perkins in a crucial matchup next Monday. "We have to stay focused and ready to play," Leimeister said. "Every game we come out like both teams are 0-0 and that makes it fun to coach. These guys will be ready to play and I am looking forward to the challenge."