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High School
News:
High School Winter Schedules.
Lifting:
Tuesday & Friday, 2:35-4pm.
High
School Indoor Schedules: Click on the Schedule
Link.
Zuniga, Marchand named to 1st Team
All-State.
Senior
duo lead Jackson to record season. Future in good hands with talented
underclassmen.
Jackson
Seniors Derek Zuniga and Greg Marchand recieved high compliments from
the OSSCA by being named to the Division I Ohio 1st Team All-State
team. Only 18 players from across the state were honored with the
distinction. Jackson won a record 19 matches this season while also
posting 15 shutouts. The Polar Bears also made it to their 3rd
straight District Title and Regional Final appearance this season.
Zuniga was the District Player of the Year as well as Federal League
Player of the Year. He graduates as a four-year starter for the Polar
Bears. He led the team in scoring as a freshman, and led the midfield
the remaining years. Marchand was also named All-District and 3-time
All-Federal League member. The three-year starter has been a mainstay
on defense for Jackson. Over the past three years with Marchand's
lead, the Bears have posted 41 shutouts, and only lost 7 matches.
Three of those losses were to national powerhouse St. Ignatius, and 2
others were to the eventual state champions that season.
Wildcats too much for the Bears in
Rematch.
St.
Ignatius takes the Region with 2-0 win.
"The
worst start imaginable." commented Jackson coach Michael Biros
referring to a deflected cross that found its way into the goal just
84 seconds into the match. However, Jackson would hang tough despite a
ton of Wildcat pressure and a stiff 20 mph wind in their face and get
to the half with the 1-0 deficit. The second half would see a battle
for possession in the midfield, and neither team really able to
establish a flow. Both teams would have a couple close calls on net,
but the record-breaking Wildcat defense proved to be the difference.
With 30 seconds left, Jackson sent their entire team to find an
equilizer on a free kick. But, they were unable to score and St.
Ignatius went the other way and scored with 3 seconds left to ice the
game.
"Our
boys played with a lot of passion today," said Biros. "But,
we didn't establish enough possession in the match necessary to create
sustained pressure on our opponent. Give a ton of credit to St.
Ignatius, they pressured us everywhere on the field, and punished us
for every missed touch or hesitation with the ball. We had a great
season, but ran into a tough, tough team."
Jackson
ends up with a school record 19 wins, and 15 shutouts on the 2009
season. Junior RJ Ihrig played superbly in net for the Bears
throughout the playoffs and especially on Saturday against St.
Ignatius. It was Jackson's 4th trip to a regional final in the past 6
years. They also claimed their 3rd straight League title and an
sensational overall record of 54-7-4 over the past three
seasons. "We graduate a great group of seniors."
Biros added. "They are the most decorated group of athletes in
school history. Their leadership and presence will be missed, but
their efforts will live on through our younger players for years to
come."
Marchand leads the way past the
Bulldogs.
Jackson
Senior scores 2 goals, helps defense in shutout of Green, 3-0. Rematch
with St. Ignatius is set.
The
Polar Bears (19-1-0) moved into the Northeast Regional Championship
for a third straight year as they blew past the Green Bulldogs
3-0 on Tuesday night at Ravenna Football Stadium. Jackson created
several good chances to score early, but were denied by the
Bulldog goalkeeper on a few excellent stops. However, Greg Marchand
wouldn't be denied in the 15th
minute as he beat the goalie to the ball on a cross from Derek Zuniga
and deflected it in. Jackson kept the pressure on for most of the
half, but were unable to advance the lead. The Bears came out of the
lockerroom and roared to the goal. Danny Baraldi would give Jackson a
cusion in the 45th minute as he scored on another assist from Zuniga.
Baraldi would assist Marchand's second goal a few minutes later to cap
the scoring.
Defensively,
Jackson did a nice job on the cold evening to limit Green to just a
few chances to score. RJ Ihrig made a couple nice stops in goal and
helped earn Jackson's 7th shutout in a row. The win sets up a rematch
of last year's regional final against top-ranked St. Ignatius. Last
year, the Wildcats defeated Jackson 1-0. It is also the 3rd Elite 8
meeting in the past six years between these programs.
Jackson Blanks Hudson, Wins the District
Crown.
14th
shutout of the season leads the Bears to their 3rd straight District
Title.
A
little mud, wind, and cold weather did nothing to stop a focused effort on
Saturday night as Jackson defeated Hudson 3-0 at the Netz. Danny Baraldi
got things going for the home side in the 15th minute as he blew by two
Explorer defenders and crossed a a perfect pass to Brian Zilla for the
goal ahead goal. Jackson assumed territorial control and took full control
of the match on a beatiful goal from Ryan Galley in the 33rd minute.
Jackson worked the ball for a good cross the Jimmy Costin flicked to the
back post for Galley to polish off.
Derek
Zuniga gave Jackson some insurance early into the second half as he went
on a dribbling spree and scored in the 49th minute. He eluded several
Hudson defenders at the top of the box, and slithered around the
goalkeeper before he slotted home the goal. Jackson's defense did the
rest, holding Hudson to just two shots on the evening. The defense led by
Greg Marchand, Brock Emrick, Chris Angelo, and Joey Dennis along with
Goalkeeper RJ Ihrig posted their 6th straight shutout and have only let in
2 goals in their last ten matches. "It was a great performance
against a very good team." commented Coach Michael Biros.
"Playing Hudson is always a challenge and they have been playing as
well as anyone over the last half of the season and into the playoffs.
They are very well coached, and play extremely tough. I'm really proud of
our team's effort tonight. Defensively we continued to dominate the ball
on our half the field and worked our tails off to win loose balls all over
and in the air! We also scored some nice goals this evening."
Jackson
advances to the regionals for a third straight season and will play Green
on Tuesday at 7pm. As of now, the game is slated for Lyndhurst Brush High
School in Cleveland, but it may change. Green has also been on a tear of
late and defeated Kent 4-2 to win the Youngstown District.
Last
Wednesday, the Bears slipped by Twinsburg 1--0 thanks to an early second
half goal from Danny Baraldi and a solid defensive performance. The stingy
Twinsburg defense did well to slow the Jackson attack down at times.
Hudson defeated Stow 3-1 to advance to the district final.
Jackson Slips by Hoover, Retain the
League Title.
Jackson
(15-1-0, 7-0-0) ends the season with a 3-win week, finishes #3 in the
state.
On
a cold, wet, and blustery night the Polar Bears survived the weather,
a muddy field, and a strong effort from their rivals from North
Canton. Danny Baraldi assisted on goals from James Haupt and Jimmy
Costin as Jackson defeated Hoover 2-0 in front of a large crowd
at the Netz. The weather was not great, and the field did its
best to hold the players up,  but
both teams struggled for footing at times. However, the home side
controlled action throughout, and the defense shut out their
11th opponent of the season. "We had a stern test against a
quality opponent tonight." commented Jackson coach Michael Biros.
"The weather and field conditions were not good, and we struggled
a bit finishing our chances. We did score two quality goals
though. Defensively we held strong which is a major key as we
move into the state tournament."
Jackson
won its 23rd match in a row against Federal League opponents wrapping
up their 3rd straight League Championship. During the span, the Bears
have outscored their League opponents 114-3. "Fed teams have
fared well against the better teams in our area over the past couple
of years." said Biros. "To go undefeated and untied for this
long against a lot of quality opponents in our league is a testament
to the boys and the program's preparation and focus on our league
championship. I am really proud of how the boys have approached each
game this season, and their focus to our league matches. The players
before them have developed and instilled a tradition of winning that
continues."
Earlier
in the week, Jackson defeated Lake 3-0 at home in league play. After a
scoreless tie, Brian Zilla headed home a goal in the first minute of
the second half. Another Zilla header would sandwich a Danny Baraldi
goal and the defense held Lake to just 2 shots. On Thursday, Jackson
defeated Wadsworth 2-0 at the Netz. Zilla and James Haupt netted goals
for the Bears. Jackson's defense was stifling again as they
limited the Grizzlies to very few opportunities to score. RJ Ihrig and
Alex Schauer have been solid between the pipes. Greg Marchand, Derek
Zuniga, Chris Angelo, Brock Emrick, and Joey Dennis have lead the
defensive charge as well.
Jackson
finishes the regular season 15-1-0 and ranked #3 in the state. The
state playoffs begin this week as the top seeded Bears will have a bye
through the first round. The first match is this Saturday at 7pm @ the
Netz against Garfield.
Final
State Poll... Click here.
STATE
BRACKETS... click here.
Read
More... Click here!
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