Boys soccer: Buckeye's Cael Miller stars on offense, defense in win over Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — With a concerted defensive effort and moment of offensive brilliance from senior captain Cael Miller, the Buckeye boys soccer team found the change in momentum it was looking for Saturday night. Miller scored on a 50-yard free kick late in the first half and was a key part of the defense delivering a shutout as Buckeye defeated Medina County rival Brunswick 1-0 in non-league action. The win was the first for the Bucks (2-5-1) in eight meetings against the Blue Devils (3-2-3). "I really wanted to go after this game," Miller said. "A week ago we realized we were not going in the right direction for the season that we wanted. We were going back down the same path as (last season). Us as captains, we got with the entire team and realized we need to buy into each other, work for each other and stay positive at all times. "Right now, I'm feeling positive and overly ecstatic for our team." Conversely, Brunswick was determined to not make too much of one result. The season had gotten off to a strong start behind excellent defense. "It sucks, but we have to move on and stick together as a team," said senior captain Evan Denker, a central piece to a defense that has only given up three goals in eight games. "I believe we will do that. We will move on, and we can find the benefit in that." The goal Saturday was nearly indefensible. Miller lined up for a free kick along the left sideline and roped a shot toward the back post that bent just inside the upper corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead with 7:43 remaining in the first half. The ball was perfectly placed and barely over Brunswick goalie Artur Vasylkevych, who has five clean sheets this season. "I just saw the back side of the goal, and I was aiming for it and knew I could probably hit it," Miller said. "I saw (Vasylkevych) was a little bit out. I might as well go for it if he's out there." After the goal, Denker, Vasylkevych (31 saves this season), Ryan Dick and Charlie Avarello, along with support from wingers Collin Perlatti and Brayden Oleksiw, did everything they needed to contain the Buckeye offense and keep the Blue Devils in the game. While Miller's shot was sensational, a tactical move by Buckeye coach Ivan Tenenika that moved Miller into the middle of the defense next to junior Gavin Waltos did even more to secure victory. Midway through the second half, Miller made a great tackle to break up a run by Blue Devils junior Adam Jaber. Miller later made a brilliant goal-line stop after Russell Bickley looked like he had an open look on a sliding shot. Miller and Waltos were joined by junior Rhys Cielma and senior Logan Shafer on the back line. The quartet stayed organized and did what was necessary to turn away Brunswick in front of another stellar effort by goalie Hunter Uehlein (6 saves). "All of us were talking all the time," Waltos said. "We were keeping ourselves calm and playing to our feet. We had our keeper, Hunter, he's by far my favorite, but we've been doing great as a defense. We need to keep this up and we'll keep winning these games." Offensively, the Blue Devils were shut out for the fourth time this season. Outside of a 10-0 win over Greater Cleveland Conference newcomer Lorain, Brunswick has scored three goals. The Blue Devils had their chances Saturday but were unable to cash in. "Maybe we need to keep the ball more instead of just kicking it off," Jaber said. "We had so many more chances when we kept the ball. "We have to keep shooting more. We look up towards a cross to shoot and I feel like were afraid to shoot when we shouldn't be." Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com. Buckeye 1, Brunswick 0 BUCKEYE &emsp;&emsp;&emsp; &emsp;0 1 — 1 BRUNSWICK &emsp;&emsp; 0 0 — 0 First Buc — Cael Miller, 7:43. Shots on goal — Buckeye 2, Brunswick 6. Corner kicks — Buckeye 1, Brunswick 5. Saves — Hunter Uehlein (Buc) 6, Artur Vasylkevych (Bru) 1. Records — Buckeye (2-5-1), Brunswick (3-2-3). Junior varsity — Brunswick 6, Buckeye 0.