Day 1 of the GCHSL Baron Cup saw three exciting games, as #4 CVCA upset #1 Avon Lake in Baron Cup III Blue North play, #1 Avon defeated #4 Bay in a Baron Cup II White North match, and #1 Chagrin Falls held off #4 Orange in Baron Cup II White South play.
Here’s a look at Day 2 of the week-long tournament:
4:30 pm Baron Cup III #1. Brooklyn vs. #4 Nordonia
Brooklyn (21-2-0, 12-0-0)
The Hurricanes dominated the Blue South Division, winning all 12 league games. Brooklyn enters the Baron Cup riding an 11-game win-streak. Three of the Hurricanes’ last four wins were shutouts and Brooklyn has recorded seven total shutouts on the season.
Brooklyn’s only two losses this season came against Avon Lake (22-4-1) and Parma (17-12-1).
Nordonia (7-19-0, 6-6-0)
The Knights’ record isn’t pretty, but Nordonia made sure to play a rigorous schedule, and for that, the win-loss total may be a bit deceiving.
When Nordonia played against fellow Blue South members, the Knights went .500 in league play. Outside of the Blue South, it was a rough season.
Nordonia and Brooklyn already met four times in the regular season, and the Hurricanes won each match.
However, their fourth head-to-head match on Jan. 26 was the closest one yet, as Brooklyn won 2-1 in overtime.
Brooklyn won the other three games by scores of 5-1, 5-3, and 5-0.
As we saw on Monday, no team can be taken lightly in this tournament, and Nordonia hopes to become the second team in two days to knock off a #1 seed.
6:30 pm Baron Cup II #2 Olmsted Falls vs. #3 Parma
Olmsted Falls (10-12-1, 6-4-0)
This appears to be one of the most evenly-matched games of the tournament.
The Bulldogs are led by a dynamic duo of Dom Conte (16 goals, 15 assists) and Cam Wilson (14 goals, 16 assists).
Goaltender Zach Snyder owns a 92.8 save percentage – the highest in all of Lorain County. Olmsted Falls has won six of its last nine contests and nearly upset top-seeded Avon in its final regular season match, falling in overtime 1-0.
Parma Redmen (17-12-1, 6-4-0)
Parma had a bit of a roller coaster ride this season. The Redmen started 4-1 and then went on a six-game losing streak.
They bounced back strong, winning seven in a row between Dec. 13 and Jan. 3.
Since that win-streak ended, it’s been smoother sailing, as Parma finished the regular season winning five of its last eight.
The up-and-down nature of Parma’s play is consistent with how the two head-to-head matches against Olmsted Falls went.
Parma won the first match on Nov. 29th 4-1.
The Redmen lost their second meeting 4-0 on Jan. 8.
The rubber match of the season series comes on the biggest stage.
8:30 pm Baron Cup II #2 Benedictine vs. #3 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
Benedictine (15-12-0, 6-4-0)
The Bengals look to avenge an early tournament exit from one year ago. Benedictine was knocked out in the first round by a dominant Cleveland Heights team, which went on to become Baron Cup II champions.
This year, Benedictine enters the tournament as the second seed in the White South. Led by Matt Carson (19 goals, 13 assists) and Clayton Hongosh (15 goals, 12 assists), the Bengals have won six of their last eight matches.
Goaltender Tristan Cotter owns a 9-5-0 record with an .887 save percentage. allowing an average of 2.79 goals per game.
However, Benedictine ended the regular season with two losses against Chagrin Falls and Orange.
To keep their season alive, the Bengals have to end the two-game skid.
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (13-8-2, 5-4-1)
While Benedictine looks to make up for a disappointing 2016 Baron Cup, the Lions hope to pick up right where they left off.
NDCL won the Baron Cup III Tournament in 2016, moving up to Baron Cup II this year. The Lions are out to prove they can be just as great at the next level.
Jaret Cipollone leads the team with 22 goals and 15 assists.
Ryan MacDonald (21 goals, 8 assists) and Connor Zoul (15 goals, 13 assists) are right behind him.
Goaltender Bobby Zoul owns a 90.3 save percentage, allowing an average 2.59 goals per game.
The Lions and Bengals faced off four times in the regular season, splitting the games 2-2.
NDCL lost the first meeting 2-0, then came right back a week later and won 4-1.
The Lions won the next match 2-1, but lost their fourth and final meeting of the regular season 5-3.
In short, this game could certainly go either way.
NDCL dominated Baron Cup III for the last two years, winning back-to-back titles, and a new challenge awaits, starting at 8:30 pm Tuesday night.
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