Woodmen can’t compete in rout by Grizzly Cubs

For the Daily Journal

Franklin made short work of winless Greenwood, scoring four goals in the first 15 minutes and rolling to an 10-1 boys soccer win Thursday at home.

The Grizzly Cubs came out swinging against the Woodmen, scoring nearly at will in a dominating first half that saw them collect eight goals and outshoot Greenwood 20-4.

“(Greenwood) lost to Plainfield only 3-1 last week and our guys took that score seriously,” Franklin coach Tony Harris said. “They decided to come out and play real well. When we get going offensively and we move the ball forward, we’ve got the numbers.”

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

Click here to purchase photos from this gallery

Franklin (10-3-1, 5-1 Mid-State) was quiet for the game’s first seven minutes, but that all changed quickly. Ethan Pheifer scored the first of his three goals off an assist from Garrett Snyder, and Snyder scored three minutes later off a Joe Nerding assist for a 2-0 lead.

After that, the rout was on. Owen Atkison scored his first goal in the 11th minute, Pheifer struck again in the 14th and Atkison scored in the 19th and 24th minutes to complete his hat trick and take Franklin to a 6-0 lead.

Greenwood (0-13, 0-6) broke the shutout with a Bastian Sanchez goal in the 38th minute, but that did little to stem the tide. Robert Velasquez and Pheifer added goals in the 33rd and 39th minute to push the Franklin lead to 8-1 at the half.

“Getting Joe (Nerding) back tonight and getting E.J. (Young) healthy, that’s big for us,” Harris said. “When these guys get going and they get rolling, we can score with anybody. … This team is offensive and we’re going to figure out ways to outscore you. That’s just how we’re going to have to be.”

Franklin scored again four minutes into the second half on a Young goal and picked up its final marker in the 54th minute on a goal by Owen Mahin.

Overall, Franklin outshot Greenwood 35-8, including 28-5 on goal.

Nerding collected three assists for Franklin while Atkison had two and Snyder, Sam Purk and Kevin Martinez had one each. Dylan Bastin stopped four shots in goal for the Grizzly Cubs and Xavier Randolph had one. Colten Feller had 15 saves for Greenwood.

Franklin travels to Class 2A No. 10 Batesville on Saturday, while Greenwood hosts Genesis United.