Smith scores twice in Tipp scrimmage win
The Tippecanoe boys soccer team wrapped up the preseason last week with a pair of scrimmages heading into the season opener last night against Greenville. The Red Devils battled through some sluggish moments but earned a 4-1 victory over Wapakoneta to head into the regular season focused on getting off to a fast start.
Cameron Smith scored twice for the Red Devils, including a penalty kick for Tipp. Also scoring for the host Red Devils were Logan McEntyre and Kaleb Logan. “It was our first JV/Varsity doubleheader scrimmage of the season, so it was an adjustment of getting into the mode of not having school all day and playing a later game,” Tipp coach Joel Slyman said. “Wapak is a good team and they play hard. We did some good things, but we just didn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”
“We saw the guys get excited to have one good scrimmage against Bexley and thought they could carry that into the next game. But you have to keep bringing the same energy. Tonight, it showed at times, but it wasn’t consistent, and the guys know that. It was good to get the victory, but I think we expect a little bit more from the guys.” Slyman said he is pleased with where things are right now with his squad heading into the new season.
“I think guys have stepped up in the best way possible, and we can’t be upset at the start of the preseason so far,” he said. “We have a good culture on our team right now and a good team aspect with five good senior leaders. These guys are making an impact.” “It doesn’t really mean much in early August. We will see what happens when the real season gets started and see what the team is made of.” Smith scoring twice is something that the Red Devils hope to get used to as he takes over the offensive leadership role this year. “He has to be the goal scorer this year,” Slyman said. “He has seen what it takes from Landon (Haas) last year and knows he has got to be the guy this year. He has done that so far, and we will need him in big games.”
*Tipp also tied DeSales 1-1 in their final scrimmage last week. McEntyre scored the lone goal for Tipp.
The Red Devils host Monroe tomorrow night at 7:15 p.m., then travel to Summit Country Day on Saturday.
