Sep 4, 2018 2 min read

MONONGAHELA – Eli Schoedel scored two first-half goals to lead Ringgold High School’s boys soccer team to an early season Section 3-AAA win against rival Belle Vernon Tuesday night.

It didn’t take Schoedel long to give Ringgold a lead as his first goal came less than two minutes into the match.

“Every day before we end practice, we say ‘Play fast, score first’ and it has been our motto,” said Schodel, a senior who moved to within two goals of the Ringgold all-time record. “It set the tone, but I give credit to Jeff Soles and the defense as well as our defensive coaches.”

Ringgold coach Steve Persaud said the early goal was key.

“We want to score first and score again, and that is what we were able to do,” he said. “A key was our team meeting today after the weekend because it was a disaster. The guys stepped up tonight and hopefully we can keep things going.”

Belle Vernon coach Rob Miele talked about how playing Ringgold so early in the season was good for his team.

“Giving up that early goal was the worst possible scenario. As I told the guys, we had to get through the first five minutes and weather the storm,” he said. “The guys got thrown into the fire early and we will be a better team because of it.”

Schoedel doubled Ringgold’s lead with 9:59 to play in the first half on a free kick.

It would be the last goal of the game.

Belle Vernon played much better in the second half, but the two-goal deficit was too much to overcome for the young team against a veteran squad like Ringgold.

“We did not have a good start but we played better in the second half,” said Miele. “We don’t have moral victories and have to keep working hard.”

Persaud spoke highly about Soles, a sweeper, and the Rams’ other defenders.

“That dude has been playing that way and he stepped up,” he said. “He doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves and he is a rock back there.”

Ringgold goalkeeper Travis Yahnite made three saves while Belle vernon goalie TJ Watson made seven stops.