Minerva teams notch wins across football, volleyball, golf and soccer

Football

Granted, two games is a small sample size, but it looks as if Zach Slates has Minerva football headed in the right direction.

Minerva avenged last year’s 38-0 shutout to Crestwood with a 23-8 home win. The Lions are now in unfamiliar territory entering their home contest against Springfield, which narrowly defeated Minerva last year, 13-7.

It may be hard to believe, but the Lions could give their fans a winning streak for the first time since 2020 and their first winning record since 2013.

Minerva, which led 13-0 at halftime, saw its lead shrink to 13-8 following Crestwood’s TD and two-point conversion in the third period. However, the Lions responded with a short field goal with approximately four minutes to go before capping the scoring with a late TD run.

The Lions (1-1) had 301 yards rushing as Timmy Kirkpatrick had a huge night with 235 yards on 27 carries. Nate Linkous added 33 yards on eight carries while also throwing a TD pass.

Girls Volleyball

After dropping a 3-1 match to Eastern Buckeye Conference foe West Branch Aug. 26, the Lady Lions welcomed Salem two days later with a chip on their shoulder. And they played like it, dispatching the Quakers 3-0 (25-21, 25-17, 25-22).

Becca Jackson was all over the court, leading Minerva (3-3, 1-1) with 14 kills, 20 digs, 10 serving points, five aces, and a block. Ayla Shellenbarger added 13 kills, 12 digs, nine points, and three aces, while Jenna Dowell had 21 digs and 14 receptions.

Coach Tiffany Oaks was understandably pleased with the effort her squad game against Salem.

“The intensity, hustle, and teamwork really came together tonight,” she said. “I'm extremely proud of my girls for not giving up and fighting back.”

Girls Golf

Three’s Company Jack Tripper worked at the Regal Beagle, and Robert Redford and Debra Winger were Hollywood’s Legal Eagles.

Please meet Delaney Sell and Mady Bartley, Minerva’s Eagle Eagles, following the Lady Lions’ 163-206 defeat of West Branch on August 27 at Great Trail.

Sell was in the zone, carding a career-best 38 as she and Bartley shot simultaneous eagles on the 25th hole. Peyton Beaumariage (39), Emery Sell (40), and Bartley (46) rounded out the scoringfor the Lady Lions (13-0, 7-0).

Boys Soccer

The Lions fell in a 3-0 first-half hole and could not dig their way out in a 4-1 loss to host Harrison Central Aug. 26.

Noah Morckel scored the lone goal for Minerva and Zane Shephard collected five saves. The Huskies (1-3) held a 14-10 edge in shots on goal.

Minerva coach Tyler Stewart says the Lions have to cut down on the first-half miscues that got them in trouble.

“We made a few crucial mistakes in the first half that put us behind,” he said. “One was a bad read on a through ball over the top of our defense that we misjudged and then we also gave up a free kick just outside the goal box that they capitalized on.” 

Two days later, the Lions rebounded with a 4-0 shutout of St. Thomas Aquinas for their first victory of the season as Wyatt Gonzalez picked up the hat trick. Morckel added a goal and two assists while Beau Keen contributed an assist.

Talan Murphy (4) and Shephard (1) worked the net to combine on the shutout. Minerva (1-2) held a towering 23-4 advantage in SOG over the Knights (0-5).