Boys soccer: Charlie Getz helps Medina net season high for goals in 3-0 win over Highland

MEDINA — The Medina boys soccer team came away with a convincing 3-0 victory over Medina County rival Highland in a battle of Suburban League National Conference newcomers Tuesday. The goal total was a season high for the Bees (4-1, 2-0) and equaled the number they had had scored over the previous three games combined. Sophomore Charlie Getz opened the gates when he cashed in his first career goal on a short shot in the box off a feed from freshman Bennett Alt. The try came roughly one minute after Getz looked like he had a golden opportunity but missed left. "It felt really good," Getz said of cashing in his second chance. "I knew I might have got some crap for that, because yesterday we practice a lot of finishing. It really was a confidence boost not only for me, but the whole team." It was another learning experience for the young Hornets (0-3, 0-2), who are breaking in a handful of starters and learning a new system under new coach Mike Besu. "We've got about eight guys that graduated last year, and we're filling in roles right now," leading scorer Billy Zufall said. "Once we put it together later in the season, we're going to play a lot better. We'll be able to make a deep run in the playoffs." After the Hornets spent most of the first 15 minutes on their heels, Zufall fired Highland's first shot on frame with 23:06 remaining in the first half. Medina starting goalie Zach Coersmeyer (3 saves) handled the attempt cleanly. Zufall is responsible for the Hornets' goals this season, in a 3-1 loss to Brecksville and a 2-1 loss to Olmsted Falls, but the Bees' defense didn't let him get loose. Medina earned its third consecutive shutout victory following its only loss, 2-1 to GlenOak. The defense of Chase Wilbur, Liam Copley, Logan Abernathy, Logan Harubin and Colin Bixler did a great job in front of Coersmeyer. Reserve keepers Elijah Scott and Jannik Sanders also contributed. "We're just getting more composure nowadays," Wilbur said. "The first two teams we faced were very direct. It was hard because there were a lot of balls bouncing around. We're more focused on free kicks and corners. Through practice we're shifting together, moving together after bringing in three new players t the back line from last year." In addition to his defense, Wilbur extended the lead to 2-0 when he cashed in a header off a corner kick by Abernathy just over four minutes into the second half. Medina removed all doubt with 27:48 left game when Jackson Harvey scored off a pass from Cameron Moorman to make it 3-0. Harvey's goal was his fourth of the season, as the 2025 Northeast Division I District Defender of the Year has fit into the attacking midfield comfortably. Though Highland was unable to crack the Medina defense, it wasn't without opportunities. The biggest missed chance came with 29:48 remaining — just prior to the Bees' final goal — when referees appeared to miss a hand ball in the box that would have led to a penalty kick. The Hornets also had a few second-half chances miss the target. Nick Gaydos twice had shots go off frame, while Zufall had one go over the goal with 11:09 left. "I'm feeling like we started off a little weak in the first half, but got it together at the end of the first half," Zufall said. "If we would have come out like that in the second half, I feel like we could have done a lot better. "I feel like this was a weaker game for us. We can definitely bounce back. We're a lot better than this." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Medina 3, Highland 0 HIGHLAND&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 0 0 — 0 MEDINA&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; 1 2 — 3 First M — Charlie Getz (Bennett Alt), 10:24. Second M — Chase Wilbur (Logan Abernathy), 35:55. M — Jackson Harvey (Cameron Moorman), 27:48. Shots on goal — Highland 4, Medina 9. Corner kicks — Highland 2, Medina 7. Saves — Conner Dean (H) 5, Joseph Corrigan (H) 1, Zach Coersmeyer (M) 3, Elijah Scott (M) 1, Jannik Sanders (M) 0. Records — Highland (0-3, 0-2), Medina (4-1, 2-0). Junior varsity — Highland 1, Medina 1.