Steubenville’s Caleb Noble heads the ball past multiple Catholic Central defenders for a goal on Saturday. -Joe Catullo

STEUBENVILLE — Bragging rights belong to Big Red.

The Big Red boys soccer team’s offense came alive in the second half, as it scored four goals en route to a 4-0 victory against city-rival Catholic Central in the third game of the day of the as part of the eighth annual Together We Care soccer tournament Saturday afternoon on Reno Field inside Harding Stadium.

“We did a great job in the first half,” Big Red (5-4-3) head coach Greg Bowers said. “We controlled the middle of the field in the first half. The second half was more even, but our midfielders were able to find the holes in the seems. Once we got going in the second half, we were able to create some dangerous situations, and we were able to score.”

The match was scoreless for nearly 53 minutes before Big Red found the back of the net for the first time.

“Their first couple of goals were like special teams plays,” Catholic Central (6-4-2) head coach Steve Kopcha said. “The first one was off of a header off of a direct kick. The second one came off of a throw-in. Those little special teams play made the difference.”

Caleb Noble tallied a pair of goals to lead the way offensively for Big Red, while Mike Rook and Esteban Serna each collected one. Andrew Neely delivered two assists, while Matt Loot contributed one. J.P. Walsh made seven saves in goal for the victors.

Catholic Central had some golden opportunities of its own to score, but Walsh and the Big Red defense was up to the challenge and kept the Crusades off of the scoreboard.

“You have to give credit to their defense and their goalkeeper,” Kopcha said. “Their goalkeeper made some greats saves on some quality shots on goal. Their keeper really made some great saves.”

Catholic Central used two goalies. Leon Zaleski started in the net and made four saves before being replaced by Jacob Kissinger during the second half. Kissinger made two saves.

Big Red had some golden opportunities to score in the first half, but it was unable to get a shot into the back of the net. That all changed after halftime.

“At times, we struggle to finish,” Bowers said. “We found the touch in the second half. We have to able to finish. Anthony Shevlin, Cole McCullough, Josh Zeiler and Theo Loot all did an outstanding job, and J.P. made the saves he needed to make.”

Rook opened the scoring when he found the back of the net with 27:10 left to play off of Neely’s first assist. 

Neely tallied his second assist when Noble found the back of the net with 25:00 remaining to put Big Red up 2-0.

Noble netted his second goal with 18:17 left to increase Big Red’s advantage to 3-0. Serna capped the scoring with 15:03 still showing on the clock.

“The first half was pretty even,” Kopcha said. “We created some chances in the first half. It was 0-0 at halftime. There are three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams-like plays. They were able to capitalize. Those are some dangerous parts of the game. They were able to create some opportunities.”

The event benefits the Cancer Dietary Initiative.

“This is an important event,” Bowers said. “We did not ask for donations like we normally do. Everyone comes out and supports this event. People make donations every year, and that is a testament to the community.”

The event raised more than $135,000 in its first seven years.

“We are very proud of the community,” Kopcha said. “We want to support this the best we can. There were different guidelines and conditions this year, but the community support continues to be great. It is a big event.”

Prior to the start of the first game of the day, a moment of silence was held in memory of Weir girls’ soccer player Madison Crowe and her mother, Melissa Rowland.

“The guys did not really know her,” Kopcha said. “I am good friends with Weir High’s head coach, Jeremy Angelo. We know what they are going through. It is great to able to honor her. There have been a lot of tributes. It is good to see everyone come together and remember her.”

Some of the Big Red players knew Crowe.

“A couple of the guys knew her and a couple of families knew her family,” Bowers said. “It is still shocking that that happened. This tragedy shows how strong the Ohio Valley as a whole. It is good to see communities come together and honor her. We want to do our part to help out.”

UP NEXT

CCHS: Travels to Wheeling Central for a 7:30 p.m. contest on Tuesday.

Steubenville: Hosts East Liverpool at 6 p.m. Tuesday.