Titans wear down Panthers in second half

The Creston boys soccer team started feeling the affects of seventh game in 10 days later in Tuesday’s Hawkeye 10 match against Lewis Central.

Combine that a depleted bench which limited substitutions and extremely physical play from Lewis Central took a toll on the hometown 11.

Lewis Central capitalized and was able to come away with an 8-1 win.

The Titans’ punishing physical style, with hard challenges and tackles throughout, eventually wore out the Panthers.

“We tried, but we were too shorthanded,” said Creston coach Lucian Diaconu. “They got in our heads with this chippy game.”

Creston kept with Lewis Central in the first half.

The Titans struck first when Tony Ramos found the back of the net off a long pass in the third minute.

The Panthers countered a minute later when a shot over the top of the Titans defense by Evan Jacobson connected with Ben Irr. Irr then buried the shot past the Titans keeper for the game-tying goal.

Action in the midfield dominated much of the next 20 minutes. At times, the play was extremely rough, with hard tackles being made by both teams all over the pitch.

The physical play took a toll on the shorthanded, and in some cases, sick, Panthers.

“We got intimidated by some unsportsmanship on the field,” Diaconu said.

The Titans were able to control possession for much of it.

Lewis Central capitalized in the 21st minute when Paul Devine booted one past the Creston keeper for a 2-1 lead.

Still, Creston was in it.

“The first half was productive,” Diaconu said. “We stepped up to the plate.”

Creston was able to hang with Lewis Central through the next 19 minutes, with the Panthers back line holding.

But the game became even more physical. Lewis Central got a yellow card, then in the discussion of the play, the Titans assistant coach was also given a yellow card.

Lewis Central’s constant offensive pressure started wearing on Creston, which had a number of players playing through various ailments throughout.

The dam broke early in the second half as the Titans scored three times in a six minute stretch. Connor James scored in the 44th minute, Devine in the 48th minute and Zach Schaefer in the 50th minute.

“We had a number of people still on antibodies treatment, not too many substitutes,” Diaconu said.

By then, Creston was running on fumes, playing for the seventh time in 10 days, including an overtime loss Monday against Atlantic.

Meanwhile, Lewis Central was playing for the seventh time this season.

“Until they scored the last four goals, we were still focused and still working,” Diaconu said. “Between feeling tired, being sick . … We got tired.”

The Panther offense struggled to generate much in the Titan zone. Creston did not have a long, sustained run into Lewis Central’s end until the 68th minute.

It wasn’t enough.

“We tried. We were too short handed and they got in our heads,” Diaconu said. “It made a huge impact physically.”

Lewis Central then kept the pressure up offensively. Brennan Figueroa scored in the 72nd minute and Brad Egner added a goal in the 73rd minute.

The rough play continued, with one Lewis Central player earning a yellow card, then after contesting the call was sent off with a red card.

Creston keeper Payton Pryor made six saves before being relieved by Ayden Filer in the 73rd minute. Filer made two saves.

Creston fell to 5-5.

“We’ve started 5-5 which is better than last year,” Diaconu said. “I don’t think the boys are going to stop here.”

UP NEXT — Creston is off until May 6 when it hosts the home tournament, with Centerville, Clarinda Academy and Riverside coming to Creston for matches all day.

“We need to get healthy first of all, get reorganized and pick up the pieces,” Diaconu said.

Creston (1) —Goals — Irr (1). Shots (on goal) — 12 (6 on goal). Individual shots (on goal)— Ben Irr 3 (2), Brenden McDowell 1 (0), Evan Jacobson 2 (2). Gavin Woods 2 (2)

Keeper Saves — Payton Pryor 6; Ayden Filer, 2.

LC (8) — Goals — Paul Devine (2), Connor James (2), Tony Ramos, Zach Schaefer, Brenden Figueroa, Brad Egner.