Monday, March 20, 2023

Sabbath, Ianiro team up to lead Kirtland past Gilmour

Kirtland’s Luke Sabbath and Jordan Ianiro teamed up to lead the Hornets to a 3-0 win at Gilmour Academy on Thursday.

Sabbath scored two goals, both off Ianiro assists, and Ianiro added one, off a Sabbath chip shot, to help the Hornets improve to 6-1-3 overall.

“We put Jordan out wide and he beat their defense down the flank and hit two really hard crosses that Luke redirected in,” said Kirtland head coach John Valentic. “Jordan then scored one off Luke when Luke chipped it into the box and Jordan did a good job of holding off the defense. The ball kind of bounced and as it dropped he volleyed it past the goalie from seven or eight yards away. It was good positioning on his part and good strength.”

Gilmour’s record dropped to 4-6-1 but the Lancers are always a formidable opponent.

“They’re never an easy game for us,” Valentic said. “They were really organized in the back. They were going to try to limit our chances and they did. It was 0-0 for a while. We really had to scrap for those goals.”

With Sabbath and Ianiro taking charge of the Kirtland offense, Colin McGreal led the way on defense.

“I give him credit for anchoring our defense and organizing them,” Valentic said. “He’s a huge part of getting that first shutout and solidifying us back there and keeping us in games.”

Keeper Tommy Loncar recorded five saves in posting his first career shutout.

“He did a nice job to earn his first shutout of the year,” Valentic said. “There weren’t a lot of great shots on goal but he had to come up the line and he played a good game that way. He was being active and winning some dangerous 50-50 balls.”

The Hornets return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Cuyahoga Heights.

 

Steve Harehttp://www.ohiovarsity.com
Steve Hare is the Chagrin Valley Conference's Sports Information Director. He also created and publishes OhioVarsity.com, an online publication dedicated to providing hyperlocal coverage to area high school athletic programs. Hare began covering high school sports for the Lake County News Herald in 1997. Hare attended Willoughby South High School through the middle of his senior year, then graduated from Berkshire High School in Burton in 1986. He played football, wrestled and was an all-Geauga county baseball player (1986). He lives in Chardon with his wife Paulette and their children.

Related Articles

Stay Connected

805FansLike
3,504FollowersFollow
364SubscribersSubscribe

Latest Articles

Softball Preview: Chagrin Falls Tigers

Chagrin Falls opens the 2023 season optimistic about its chances in the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division race.

Spartans repeat as Division IV state champions

Richmond Heights used a pair of big runs to pull away from Crestview in a dominating 70-26 win in the Division IV state championship game.

Softball Preview: Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves

After sharing the conference title with rival Independence the past two years, Cuyahoga Heights’ softball team plans to be a bit stingy this spring.

Softball Preview: Beachwood Bison

Beachwood’s softball program is trending up for the first time since COVID hit the program hard.

Lutheran West, Richmond Heights to play for state title

Lutheran West and Richmond Heights are one win away from a state title after their semifinal victories on Friday.