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BLUFFTON – Shawnee keeps checking the boxes.
The Indian boys’ football team have already claimed a share of the Western Buckeye League title.
On Saturday Shawnee won a 3-1 victory over Bluffton, in a match between two state-ranked teams, albeit in different divisions.
Shawnee (12-1) was led by two goals from Sam Tenwalde and one goal from Austin Miller.
“They are a good team,” said Tenwalde. “I respect them a lot. It was physical. ”
Bluffton (10-3-1) got a goal from Nolan Hoffman.
Both teams have high goals this year.
Shawnee qualified for the state semifinals last year. Bluffton reached the state championship game in 2019.
Shawnee was leading 2-0 at halftime and took a 3-0 second-half lead before Hoffman scored for Bluffton.
Shawnee dominated Bluffton 10-5.
Bluffton goalie Kyle Basil made six saves. Shawnee goalkeeper Jack Tenwalde made four saves.
Shawnee played his usual 3-5-2 lineup, with three defenders, and the Indian midfielder controlled most of the first half.
“It’s nice to play against a good quality team at Bluffton to polish things up for the tournament,” said Shawnees coach Ryan Quatman.
When Bluffton managed to get the ball to the back of the field, Shawnee center-back Jake Fraser was usually there to clean it up.
With 16:43 left in the first half, Shawnee’s Jake Miller landed a free kick 25 yards to the right of the box. The ball flew into the heart of the box and Sam Tenwalde gave it a one-touch shot into the net from 10 yards.
“Jake put on a little dribbler and I was able to hit him before the goalie came in,” Tenwalde said. “I was looking for a rebound or a goal.
This gave Shawnee a 1-0 lead.
With 7:32 left in the first half, Shawnee’s Connor Neidemire fed Austin Miller straight up the box.
Miller dribbled 12 yards and pulled a low line into the net to make it 2-0 Shawnee.
Shawnee dominated Bluffton 7-0 in the first half.
“Our guys are pretty stubborn defenders,” Quatman said. “It’s hard to get traction when you have three great central midfielders slowing down some of their best players. “
With 30:45 to go, rookie Shawnee Luca Fusillo tapped a pass from Austin Miller to Sam Tenwalde, which chipped it in the right corner of the net.
This gave Shawnee a 3-0 lead.
“Austin Miller dribbled a few guys and he put Luca (Fusillo), who did,” Tenwalde said. “I took a touch and buried it in the top corner. “
Hoffman’s goal was a low line after goaltender Shawnee slipped and fell. This brought Bluffton to 3-1.
Bluffton, ranked No. 9 in the state in Division III, came out of a tie with Ottawa Hills, Division III in the state, on Thursday.
“These are two state-ranked teams in three days for us,” said Bluffton coach Steve Smucker. “We have to turn around and play hard and we couldn’t do it today. Credit to Shawnee. They came out with a lot of rhythm and played harder than us.
“We had a good time in the second half, but it was too little, too late.
Shawnee returns seven starters, and Austin Miller, who was injured last year, from the state semifinal team last year.
“Last year going to the United States was huge for us,” said Sam Tenwalde. “And we’re looking to come back again. We have what it takes to do it. ”
Quatman added: “We expect to do better than last year. … Their goal was to get back to the semi-finals of the state and go a little further.
“We played a good system and have a lot of returning guys from last year. and I think they are focusing on this last game of the season. ”
Shawnee’s Connor Neidermire (20) tries to pass Bluffton’s Jude Spallinger in Saturday’s game at Bluffton.
Shawnee goalkeeper Jack Tenwalde jumps for the ball with Bluffton’s Kaden Basil during Saturday’s game at Bluffton.
Shawnee’s Luca Fusillo (39) and Bluffton’s Luke Shephard go for the free ball in Saturday’s game at Bluffton.
Contact the Lima News Sports Department at 567-242-0451.
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