The game of soccer is not known for its huge outbursts of scoring. Throw a lightning quick, aggressive defender into the mix, along with a solid stable of other defenders, and it makes scoring a really tough proposition.

That’s what the Hiland Hawks were up against when they traveled to Waynedale to tackle the Golden Bears, where Justin Arias manned the middle of the defensive side of the field along with a group of teammates who haven’t allowed a ton of goals this season.

How rough was the going on offense for Hiland?

“I couldn’t get anything going,” said lightning-quick forward Luke Burch, who has had his way with a lot of defenders this season, but struggled, as did the Hawks, with Arias patrolling the backfield.

The game between Hiland and Waynedale on Thursday, Oct. 6 at Waynedale was a defensive battle, but Hiland’s Spencer Yoder took a throw in by Burch with 15 minutes to play and knocked in the winning goal, scoring his first-ever varsity goal at a very opportune time.

“The ball just kind of came bouncing through the middle and came out of a mix of players in front of the net, right to me,” said Yoder. “I didn’t burn it but I guess I got enough of it to get it past their keeper.”

For Yoder, it was a bit of retribution. The junior forward had experienced the lows of soccer when he was whistled for a penalty in the box at Mansfield Christian with four minutes left to play, which led to a 4-3 loss for Hiland. Now he had experienced the other end of the emotional scale. He much prefers this feeling.

“It’s nice, really, really nice,” said Yoder with a grin. “I’m just glad I could contribute coming off of a game in which we didn’t do a whole lot and had no energy.”

That game was the St. Vincent-St. Mary (SVSM) game, which the Hawks lost 2-0.

While they only scored one more goal in this game, coach Scott Bodiker was more impressed with his team’s energy and effort on this night, especially since he knew that the game would be a grinding, defensive battle.

“With Arias back there, we knew their defense would be tough to penetrate, and we figured it was going to be a game pretty much like the one that played itself out,” said Bodiker. “We’ve been struggling a bit offensively, and when they have their whole team together (the Bears had been missing three players) they are very tough to beat.”

For the 2-7-4 Golden Bears, the game was a microcosm of their season. They have played some really good teams well, but with trouble putting the ball in the net of their own, have dropped a number of close, low-scoring games.

Still, Waynedale head coach Larry Cerniglia remained optimistic, especially since he has one lone senior on this year’s squad.

“The kids were definitely disappointed that we gave up a late goal like that,” said Cerniglia. “We played tonight like we have played all year. We just hang around and give ourselves a chance to win, and that is what we did. We even had a great opportunity with a couple minutes left to play with a loose ball right in front of their goal, but couldn’t get it in.

“I thought we played a solid game overall,” continued Cerniglia. “We are getting better and better each time out. We played this game just like we had hoped to, although it would have been much nicer if we could have kept them out of the goal late.”

Cerniglia went to a new strategy on offense, moving Michael Card and Ben Kick up to the outside forward spots, where he felt they performed very well, noting that he felt like the Bears had a better pace on offense. It just didn’t lead to any goals.

Meanwhile, Hiland’s defense played well too, especially in light of sweeper Jeremy Schlabach, a three-year starter, going down early in the game with an injury. Neil Mast moved over to the sweeper spot, Luke Reynolds filled Mast’s position, and the Hawks did a nice job of keeping Waynedale away from the net.

Over the past seven games, the Hawks have now allowed six goals, giving up two apiece in that span to state powers CVCA and SVSM.

The game also marked the return of forward Grant Stutzman, who came back from a lower leg injury. His return is a welcomed sight for the Hawks, who have missed his scoring punch.

“It feels good to be back,” said Stutzman.

Overall Bodiker said it was an improved effort over the prior game, and he hopes it leads to improved play as the Hawks (9-4) move toward the tournament.

"Waynedale always seems to play us tough, no matter what their record,” said Bodiker. “I was much more pleased with our effort tonight. We’ve still got to get better at getting to balls before they hit the ground, but it was better.”