Unbeaten Cougars deal Vikings first loss

By Dean Dellamalva Jr. 

MVI Sports

Prior to Monday, no team in Section 3-2A had given much of a challenge to the Charleroi and Mount Pleasant boys soccer teams. 

The two teams outscored their section foes, 62-3, and had unblemished records heading into their match at Viking Stadium Monday.

Two costly errors by the Vikings led to their demise in a 2-1 loss to the visiting Cougars, who extended their winning streak in section play to 36 games. 

Mt. Pleasant (5-1, 5-1) was unable to control a long pass in giving up the first goal and a turnover in the box led to the game-winner for Charleroi (8-0, 6-0). The benefactor of those two errors was junior Jake Caruso, who scored both Cougar goals.

“Jake Caruso was a huge factor for us tonight, obviously with him putting two in,” Charleroi head coach Jon Ducoli said. “If they are going to put extra guys on Eben (McIntyre), we have more of our guys open.”

McIntyre, who leads the team in goals with 16, picked up the assist on the game-winning marker. 

A pass by the Vikings’ Nathan Kubasky was mishandled by defender Nathan Saloom. McIntyre pounced on the loose ball and threw a cross toward Caruso who kicked it past Mt. Pleasant goalkeeper John Menefee in the 54th minute.

“Our back line hasn’t been challenged, we make two mistakes and give the ball right to them,” Vikings coach Floyd Snyder III said. “I would rather the goals come off of our mistakes than for it to be from something they did on their attack. Live and learn, it is good for our guys to see. I would rather take a loss now, as opposed to later in the season.”

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