High school soccer: Alex Innocenti keeps Wadsworth boys on hot streak

TWINSBURG — When you catch a wave of momentum, you want to ride it for as long as possible. The Wadsworth boys soccer team proved it had more life left in its hot streak Tuesday night, topping defending Suburban League National Conference champion Twinsburg 2-1. The Grizzlies (13-2-1) are somewhat of a surprise with only two starters returning from last year's team, but have blossomed into a strong and cohesive unit. "To come here and win against a very, very good team is nice," Wadsworth coach John Johnson said. "This is the most fun I've had, and I thought last year's team was a lot of fun. These guys have risen to a different level and it's not the same team I saw Aug. 1, 2 or 3." The Grizzlies have won eight games in a row and a stifling defense has been the trademark. The Tigers (10-4, 3-3) scored only the second goal allowed by Wadsworth over those eight games with 3:58 left when Keelin Fuentes made a run through the defense with his team down 2-0. The Grizzlies have allowed 14 goals on the season, but almost half of those came against Medina in a 6-0 loss that directly preceded the current winning streak. "It's feels great that we're starting to come together as a team," captain Kellen McComas said. "Our chemistry has gotten so much better throughout the year and it feels good to win. I know what's going to happen and where people are going to be now, so I can shift and somebody's going to be where they need to be." Twinsburg came in nearly as hot as Wadsworth, winning nine of its past 10 games after a slow start, but with the win the Grizzlies guaranteed themselves second place in the SL National behind champion Hudson. Wadsworth entered the game feeling as if it had something to prove after being voted the eighth seed in the western half of the Northeast Division I District. Twinsburg was fifth in the eastern half. It was also the first win against the Tigers since 2018. The Grizzlies open tournament play on Oct. 22 against ninth-seeded Olmsted Falls or No. 12 Avon. The Tigers get No. 21 Boardman or No. 32 Brush on the same day. "(This win) feels huge because it was the whole team, and we couldn't do it without the whole team pressuring them," senior Alex Innocenti said. "Our attitude and focus coming into the games has changed. When we step on the field we know we have to win, and that's what we come out to do." Senior standout Jackson Herbert had a collision and appeared to injure his foot or ankle midway through the second half, but returned after about 10 minutes to finish the game. Twinsburg's defense matched that of Wadsworth's back line of McComas, Tanner Sir Louis, Charlie Hoffman, Dominic Gambaccini, Luke Perry and goalkeeper Nic Homyk for nearly 60 minutes, but Innocenti finally scored when he took a beautiful long feed from Harrison James and beat Tigers keeper Brendan Payne with 21:27 left in the game. "It was a switch ball from Harry," Innocenti said. "He crossed it in, I luckily got it on my right foot, saw the keeper off the line and slotted it back post." Innocenti featured prominently on the Grizzlies' second goal as well, as he pressured Twinsburg with a hard shot off a defender. On the deflection, another Tiger tried to clear the ball, but it went into the net instead, giving Wadsworth a 2-0 lead with 15:20 left. "Alex scored a great goal with an assist from Harry and then we got fortunate," Johnson said. "We took a shot, it deflected off and went in the goal, but that's why you've got to shoot the ball. I'm proud of them." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Wadsworth 2, Twinsburg 1 WADSWORTH 0 2 — 2 TWINSBURG 0 1 — 1 Second W — Alex Innocenti (Harrison James), 21:27. W — Own goal,15:20. T — Keelin Fuentes, 3:58. Shots on goal — Wadsworth 6, Twinsburg 6. Corner kicks — Wadsworth 1, Twinsburg 8. Saves — Nic Homyk (W) 5, Aiden Briggs (T) 5, Brendan Payne (T) 0. Records — Wadsworth (13-2-1, 4-1-1), Twinsburg (10-4, 3-3). Junior varsity — Wadsworth 2, Twinsburg 2 / Wadsworth 0, Twinsburg 0.