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Schools

Solon Alumni Soccer Game a Spirited Match

Current and former Comet booters meet on the field in annual contest

Some former Solon soccer players found out you really can go home again Saturday.

The Comet soccer program held its annual alumni game at Stewart Field Saturday night and the graduates were able to come away with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over the current varsity. The game was followed with a dinner and a lot of reminiscing by Solon players, parents and coaches.

"We like to keep the alumni connected with the current players and it's a good event for our program," said Comet head coach Ryan Conner. "They have had success before I got here and we want to keep building on that tradition."

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Not only a fun event for everyone involved, the alumni game also provides players on both sides a chance to become involved in some spirited soccer on the field.

"We look at this as a good scrimmage with some very good competition," said Conner. "It's important for the guys who are playing now and it's important for the guys who laid the foundation of the program."

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Striking a blow for the older generation, the alumni came away with the victory on a goal by David Rinicella (Ohio State). The tradition of Solon soccer was best exemplified by three sets of brothers who played – Jeremy and Cory Sussel, Jeff and Matt Pekarek and Jack and Alec Krienen. Both Sussel brothers are alumni as are Jeff Pekarek and Jack Krienen.

"The last few years the alumni have been very strong," said Conner. "They have now won two of the past three games."

Comet graduate Ryan Greenhill, the captain of the Hiram College team and an ESPN Academic All-District pick, was unable to attend as were Carmen Iammarino (Ohio State) and Eric Sebor (Mount Union). Phil Burwell (Kent State) and Andrew Rutsky (Capital University) were on the injured reserve list.

Other alumni team members were Mark Beckerman, James Mellyn, Jonathan Aster, Ethan Brown and Greg Kachele (Kent State); Josh Donnelly (Mount Union); Kramer Voight, David Haimes, Colin Hammond, Rinicella and Jake Medlovic (Ohio State); Kyle Davis (Latourneau University); Nick DiBauda and Dylan Havelka (Ohio University); Greg Au (Bowling Green); David Corrado (University of Miami); Jordan Singer and Scott Levy (Miami Unversity); Cory Sussel (Cleveland State); Jack Krienen (Defiance) and Terry Tsivitse (University of Colorado).

Solon High School team members were Ben Isroff, Dnaiel Kernan, Kyle Kerner, Jordan Klein, Tommy Koenig, Matt Pekarek, Drew Schneir, Jeremy Seaman, Jay Seetharaman, Justin Treat, Jacob Alstadt, Orlando Cumberlander, Leo Held, Foster King, Alec Krienen, Aditya Nair, Ryan Adkins and Scott Welkel.

The game was also a welcome event for the parents of current and former players. "They really enjoy it," said Conner. "It's a chance for all of them to get back together as well."

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