Boys soccer: Avon scores early, settles for tie with Bay

AVON — Avon started fast, but couldn't pull away from Bay. The Eagles scored their first home goal less than one minute into a highly anticipated non-conference match between state finalists from last year, but the Rockets found an equalizer off a penalty kick and salvaged a 1-1 tie Wednesday evening. "We have a lot of work to do," Avon coach Chris Dore said. "No disrespect to Bay, they're a great team. These are two very competitive teams. "But I focus a lot of attention on who we are and we have a lot of soul seeking to do after coming off of a very successful season last year. We're definitely still figuring it out." Avon (1-0-1), the defending Division II state champion, held Bay (1-0-1), the defending Division IV state runner-up, without a shot for the first 24 minutes. During that span the Eagles had two corner kicks and a free kick that led to an attempt that ricocheted off the post. But Avon's only goal came 59 seconds into the match when Caleb Free placed a beautiful through ball to Brayden Carlin, who was left with an easy finish. "Thank goodness we scored because the rest of the 79 minutes were kind of subpar from our standpoint and what we're looking for," Dore said. "We have the ability, we have talent, we have depth, we have experience, but now we just have to find the focus." Even though it took a moment for the Rockets to get into a rhythm, by the end of the first half each team had five shots with four on goal. Bay's first shot came on a free kick from just outside the box that led to a 20-yard shot. Minutes later, Avon was called for a foul in the box and Bay's Jonah Czarnecki buried the penalty kick right. The Rockets had a chance to take the lead in the final eight minutes, but a great save by Avon keeper Owen Huron preserved the tie. Bay had back-to-back corner kicks, but couldn't convert. Avon, however, had plenty of chances in the second half — eight shots, five on goal and six corner kicks — but couldn't find the back of the net. Ultimately Avon outshot Bay 13-9 overall and 9-6 on goal. The Eagles' two best attempts came in the final six minutes. Daniel Hernandez-Leon set up Grady Kramer with a great cross, but Kramer's shot sailed just right of the goal. In the final two minutes, Avon's London Carnie had a 30-yard shot batted out of bounds on a diving attempt. That led to two straight corner kicks, but the Bay defense held strong. "If you worry about what happened before, you're not going to be ready for what's happening next," Dore said. "You can dwell on the past, or just accept the fact that you have work to do and enjoy what you're doing. It's hard for us to enjoy a result we don't feel we wanted, but we have to shake it off and not feel sorry for ourselves." Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.