Avon Lake Secures Back-to-Back District Titles with 2-0 Win

In a decisive match on October 25, 2025, the Avon Lake Shoremen clinched their second consecutive district title with a 2-0 victory against Lakewood in the Division II Northeast 1 District final held at CVCA in Cuyahoga Falls. The Shoremen, boasting an impressive record of 17 wins, 1 loss, and 2 draws, displayed a strong performance that kept Lakewood at bay throughout the contest.

The match began with Avon Lake applying relentless pressure, securing a 2-0 lead by halftime. Senior captain Drew Krupitzer expressed the team’s determination leading up to the game, stating, “We have been looking forward to this game since we found out about the playoff bracket. We knew that it was going to be a tough one. We came out hard.”

Avon Lake now advances to the Division II Region 7 semifinal, scheduled for October 29, where they will face Whitehouse Anthony Wayne, which triumphed over Sylvania Northview with a score of 1-0 in their district final.

Strategic Play and Dominant Defense

Anticipating a potential shift in momentum from Lakewood during the second half, Avon Lake’s coach, Pete Klepek, adjusted his team’s strategy to focus more on defense. This decision proved pivotal, as it allowed the Shoremen to identify Lakewood’s tactics effectively. “We played smarter defense. We packed it in a little bit more,” Klepek explained. “There is no reason for us to go and try and get another goal and give up one when we are trying to attack.”

The Avon Lake defense, which allowed only seven goals throughout the entire season, did not concede a single shot on goal to Lakewood. Krupitzer emphasized the team’s defensive philosophy, noting, “Our mentality in the back line is that if we do not let up any goals, you can’t lose.”

Both goals for the Shoremen were a result of their effective pressure. The first was scored by Alex Soloff in the 14th minute after he capitalized on a mistake from Lakewood deep in their territory. Just two minutes later, Guy Goldyn extended the lead with his own goal, showcasing the teamwork and hustle of the Avon Lake squad.

Celebrating Community and Team Spirit

Goldyn’s performance earned him the title of Man of the Match, a recognition that highlighted his contributions on both offense and defense. He expressed the significance of this victory, stating, “This means everything. Since we were little kids growing up, you dream about playing in these games.” He also acknowledged the support of their community, saying, “It is a great way to give the community another championship into the trophy case.”

Klepke praised Goldyn’s defensive efforts, particularly as he was tasked with guarding Lakewood’s standout player, Ilyas Agha. “Agha has great foot skills,” Goldyn remarked. “It is about keeping his back turned towards me. If he was not facing me, I knew he could only go backwards.”

As Avon Lake looks ahead to their next match, the team remains focused on maintaining their momentum and securing further successes in the tournament. With a well-rounded squad and a solid strategy, the Shoremen are poised to continue their championship run.