Boys soccer: Brunswick beats Buckeye in Kotlarek Champions Cup matchup

YORK TWP. — A quote atop the Brunswick boys soccer roster reads "Brotherhood is not defined by the bond of blood, but the tint of the soul." That fits well with what the Blue Devils and Buckeye programs have established over the last three years by competing against each other on the pitch and together off it in the Noah Kotlarek Champions Cup. The idea came from former Buckeye player Jackson Powell, who is close with the Kotlarek family and remains involved with putting together the event each season. The Noah Kotlarek Champions Cup raises money for the family of the 11-year-old Kotlarek, who continues his battle with pediatric cancer, as well as the Akron Children's Hospital. "It is always special when you get to play for something bigger than soccer," Brunswick midfielder Owen Beskid said. "We love to play like that, and for this kid it means the world to us. We try to play our best and win the game." This year's fundraising brought in $7,114, as well as a large selection of toys, blankets and gift cards. "It really means everything to me," Buckeye defender Cael Miller said. "This is my third year in the Noah Kotlarek Cup game and, honestly, I am so happy with the turnout this year. The motivation to play for Noah and kids like him, I wanted to leave everything out there for him." On the field, the Blue Devils picked up a 4-0 non-league win and retained the cup for the third time. The win was keyed by a pair of corner kicks off the foot of Beskid. The senior midfielder notched assists on a header from Tyler Bradbury and another off the body of Matt Reppa. "We spend a lot of time practicing them during the preseason and the offseason," Beskid said. "It's just about our coach setting them up and us executing them." Martin Klenjoski sealed the game for Brunswick (5-1-3), scoring off a long feed from Artur Vasylkevych. Eli Hyde (7 saves) made a pair of incredible second-half saves to help the Blue Devils to their fourth straight victory by clean sheet. "It's all props to our defense," Hyde said. "I do my part, but they also do theirs. It is a team effort from top to bottom." Eli Schaller generated both of those scoring chances for the Bucks (2-7-1). Schaller fired a rocket off a free kick, and then his corner kick found the foot of Dimitri Tenenika in the middle of the box. "I have been trying to take (the kicks)," Schaller said. "I told Brody (Winter) to let me take one and he did. It didn't quite finish, but it was close." Tenenika fired off a strong shot but was turned away by a diving Hyde. Schaller had never attempted any of the free or corner kicks in practice or a game prior to the game, but his newfound knack for free kicks and corners could open some things up for the Bucks. Scoring continues to be an issue for Buckeye, having just two goals during its current five-game skid. The Bucks have been held scoreless four times this season. Hunter Uehlein continued his solid play between the posts, notching seven saves. Contact Chad Grant at sports@medina-gazette.com. Brunswick 3, Buckeye 0 BRUNSWICK&emsp;1 2 — 3 BUCKEYE&emsp;0 0 — 0 First Br — Tyler Bradbury (Owen Beskid), 10:25 Second Br — Matt Reppa (Beskid), 38:32 Br — Martin Klenjoski (Artur Vasylkevych), 24:32 Shots on goal — Brunswick 10, Buckeye 7. Corner kicks — Brunswick 5, Buckeye 2. Saves — Eli Hyde (Br) 7, Hunter Uehlien (Bu) 7. Records — Brunswick (5-1-3), Buckeye (2-7-1). Junior varsity — Brunswick 6, Buckeye 0.