Tag: sports

  • [Photos] Under the Friday Night Lights

    [Photos] Under the Friday Night Lights

    Loveland, Ohio – The Loveland Tigers hosted the Milford Eagles on Friday, 9-17-21. Here are highlight photos including a parachute landing, game action, and featuring the Marching Band and Color Guard. Milford defeated Loveland 48-34 and the Milford/Miami Victory Bell went home with the Eagles for another season.

    Game STATS.

    Photos by David MillerLoveland Magazine © 2021

  • The 411 on Pickleball Locations and Equipment!

    The 411 on Pickleball Locations and Equipment!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Would you like to play a game of Pickleball? Last week I had the opportunity to interview four local Pickleball players about the newest sport in town that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping pong. Pickleball has NO age limitations and can be enjoyed by absolutely anyone!

    Jerry Ernst, a Pickleball instructor, and a Cincinnati Pickleball Club member, Kathleen Cupito and her husband John Cupito met me up at McCoy Park to teach me a thing or two about the game of Pickleball!

    If you missed Part 1, “The Introduction to the Sport of Pickleball,” click here. If you missed Part 2, “The Interactive Pickleball Lesson,” where Jerry Ernst teaches me how to play Pickleball click here.

    Before I left the Pickleball court I asked Jerry, Kathleen, and John to talk to our readers about where they could find courts locally, where they could play against others, and where to go to find the best Pickleball equipment!

    Click below to get the 411 on Pickleball Locations and Equipment!

    The Cincinnati Pickleball Club is a great place to start your Pickleball journey! The Club that now has over 900 members offers 1-3 year memberships for $25 per year. The membership includes 52 weekly newsletters, 3 annual tournaments, and 4 annual league sessions. Visit The Cincinnati Pickleball Club’s website to learn more!

    Expert Pickleball instructor Jerry Ernst also does private Pickleball lessons! To learn more you can email Jerry or call him at 513-368-4833.

    For more updates on local sports and activities, you can get involved in stay tuned to the Loveland Salad with ME, Cassie Mattia!

  • Loveland High School Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2020

    Loveland High School Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2020

    Loveland, Ohio – Four former standout Loveland High School athletes will be inducted into the Class of 2020 Hall of Fame during the last Tiger football game of the season.

    The Loveland High School Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2020 will enjoy dinner together on October 21 and they will be introduced to fans attending the football game at Tiger Stadium against Winton Woods during the break between the 1st and 2nd quarter on October 22.

    There was no traditional Winter induction ceremony for the group last year because of COVID 19. The traditional ceremony is usually in January during halftime of a varsity basketball game.

    Greg Lahrman

    High School Accomplishments

    Graduated from Loveland High School in 1995

    Basketball 1,2  Varsity 3,4  2nd Team All-CHL 4

    Varsity Golf 1,2,3,4   Captain 3,4

    1st Team All-CHL 2,3,4   Sectional Co-Medalist 2

    Medalist or Co-Medalist 10 of 17 Matches 3  11 of 17-4 

    Scoring Average 9 Holes 39.1-3,  37.8-4 

     1st Team All-Southwest District 3,4

    Southwest District Player and Medalist of the Year 4

    All-City Cincinnati Post  3,4

    Cincinnati Player of the Year Division ll by Cincinnati Enquirer 4

    2nd Team All-State 4

    OHSAA Southwest District Scholar Athlete 4

    College: Ohio State University-Undergraduate

                                      University of Michigan-Graduate 

    Janet (McCoy) Rich

    Loveland Athletic Achievement Award

    Graduated from Loveland High School in 1971

    G.A.A. 1971 Honor Girl Award

    3 Sport Varsity Letter Achievement        

    17 Years Student Council Homecoming Activities/Games

    24 Seasons as Cheerleading Coach  8 Varsity

    Coached 6 Seasons of Track  3 as Varsity Assistant

    Coached 4 seasons 8th Grade Girls Basketball

    Coached 4 Seasons High School Girls Volleyball

    Worked 20 Years(1983-2003) Head Table Varsity Wrestling Meets

    Received Ohio High School “Respect the Game” Award 2012

    Grand Marshall Homecoming Parade 2012

    Coach (10 yrs.) Loveland Youth Football Cheerleaders 1984-92; 2018-19

    Director (3 yrs.) Loveland Youth Football Cheerleaders 1984-92

    Loveland Youth Basketball Cheer Coach 8 Years 1984-92

    Josh McCoy

    High School Accomplishments

    Graduated from Loveland High School in 2003

    Football 1,2,3,4     Captain 3,4

    1st Team All-FAVC Linebacker and Punter 3,4

    1st Team All-Southwest District Linebacker and Punter 3,4

    1st Team All-City Linebacker and Punter 3

     1st Team All-City Linebacker 4

    2nd Team All-State Punter 3

    1st Team All-State Linebacker 4

    Wrestling 2   189lb FAVC Champion  2

    Baseball 2,3

    After High School: United States Marine Corps.

    Mark Weden

    High School Accomplishments

    Graduated from Loveland High School in 2006

    Cross Country 1,2,3,4  Most Valuable Runner 3,4

    1st Team All-FAVC 3,4

    Regional Qualifier 3,4

    Fastest 5K P.R.(15:44) in LHS History

    Track 1,2,3,4

    1st Team All-FAVC 1600m and 800m Runs 3,4

    FAVC Runner of the Year 4

    Regional Qualifier 1600m and 3200m Runs 2

    Regional Qualifier  1600m and  800m Runs 3,4

    District and Regional Champion 1600m Run 4

    State Qualifier 1600 Meter Run 4 

    Top 3 All-Time at LHS in 800m, 1600m and 3200m Runs as of 2/24/20

    College: The Ohio State University

  • TODAY IS THE DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2022 AMAZING CHARITY RACE!

    TODAY IS THE DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2022 AMAZING CHARITY RACE!

    BACK TO NORMAL – We are planning to be back to normal next year with the race happening on Saturday June 18th, 2022! 

    Adding back the bike portion, but keeping it short and fun with the start and finish in same area!

    EARLY START TIME – The sooner you sign up, the earlier your start time!

    Learn More about the Amazing Charity Race

  • Alex Eicher photos: FC Cincinnati drew with Orlando City SC

    Alex Eicher photos: FC Cincinnati drew with Orlando City SC

    Cincinnati, Ohio – FC Cincinnati drew with Orlando City SC, 1-1, Saturday night in front of 24,113 fans at TQL Stadium.

    The Orange and Blue (3-7-7) increase their point total to 16 points. Orlando City (8-4-6) has 30 points in second place in the Eastern Conference.

    FC Cincinnati struck first in the 42nd minute with Brenner’s fourth goal of the season. Luciano Acosta found Álvaro Barreal on an overlapping run who centered a pass to the Brazilian forward who buried a right-footed shot into the back of the net. 

    The goal ended a three-match scoring drought for FCC.

    Orlando City SC equalized in the 56th minute with a goal from Nani, who entered as a substitute one minute prior.

    Kenneth Vermeer’s scoreless streak of 269 minutes ended with the goal. He has the third-longest scoreless streak in club history. Ten minutes later, an injury forced Vermeer out of the match, which led Przemysław Tytoń to enter the contest as a substitute for the first time in his MLS career. 

    FC Cincinnati has a weekend off and returns to action, at home, Wednesday, August 18 at TQL Stadium against CF Montréal. The kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

    For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content, and match notifications.

    Information about seating options at the club’s TQL Stadium is now available at TQLstadium.com. For more information about 2021 Season Ticket Memberships, which are now on sale to the general public, visit TQLstadium.com or the stadium’s social properties on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram at @TQLStadium, or by calling the team’s sales and service staff at 513-977-5425.

    UP NEXT

    FC Cincinnati takes on Montréal on 8/18 at 7:30 PM


    **FC Cincinnati 1, Orlando City SC 1
    TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
    August 7, 2021

    SCORING SUMMARY
    **CIN – Brenner (Álvaro Barreal, Luciano Acosta) 42’
    ORL – Nani (unassisted) 56’

    FC Cincinnati: Kenneth Vermeer (Przemysław Tytoń 65’), Nick Hagglund, Geoff Cameron, Gustavo Vallecilla, Ronald Matarrita, Allan Cruz (Haris Medunjanin 89’), Joseph-Claude Gyau (Florian Valot 90’), Yuya Kubo, Luciano Acosta ©, Álvaro Barreal (Isaac Atanga 83’), Brenner (Brandon Vazquez 89’)

    Bench: Edgar Castillo, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Arquimides Ordonez, Caleb Stanko

    Stats: Shots 17, Shots on Goal 2, Saves 4, Corners 2, Offside 1, Fouls 7, Possession 46.2%, Passes 446 (84.1%)

    Orlando City SC: Mason Stajduhar, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson, Emmanuel Mas (Joao Moutinho 55’), Kyle Smith (Ruan 55’), Mauricio Pereyra, Oriol Rossell (Andres Perea 44’), Junior Urso (Joseph Dezart 84’), Tesho Akindele, Benji Michel (Nani 55’)

    Bench: Adam Grinwis, Silvester van der Water, David Loera, Alexander Alvarado

    Stats: Shots 13, Shots on Goal 5, Saves 1, Corners 6, Offside 0, Fouls 10, Possession 53.8%, Passes 506 (87.0%)

    MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
    CIN – Ronald Matarrita (caution) 53’

    ORL – Rodrigo Schlegel (caution) 68’

    ORL – Christopher Mueller (caution) 77’

    ORL – Joseph Dezart (caution) 84’

    Referee: Fotis Bazakos*
    Ast. Referees: Peter Balcinus, Peter Manikowski
    4th official: Matthrew Franz
    VAR: David Gantar
    AVAR: 
    *Jeffrey Swartzel

    Weather: 85 degrees and clear

    Attendance: 24,113

    GAME NOTES

    • Ronald Matarrita made his 100th career MLS start on Saturday. He is the fifth active FCC player with 100 or more starts (Acosta, Cameron, Hagglund, Medunjanin).
    • For the first time this season, Head Coach Jaap Stam deployed the same starting XI for a third consecutive match.
    • Przemysław Tytoń made his first appearance since May 1, 2020, at Orlando City SC. Tonight’s match featured the first goalkeeper substitution for FCC since October 11, 2020 vs. Toronto FC. Spencer Richey entered in the 81st minute for Tytoń.
    • Tytoń made his 30th career MLS appearance, the first as a substitute.
    • Brenner’s fourth goal of the season ties him with Luciano Acosta for the team lead. Acosta recorded his team-high fourth assist on the goal.

    POSTGAME QUOTES

    FC Cincinnati Head Coach Jaap Stam

    On the team’s game management in the heat

    “I think I managed it very well. You don’t have subs to make subs, just to look like okay, you sub players. After this game, we have 10 days there’s no game for us. Players need to be able to play three games in a week. If there was a game on Wednesday, then maybe it would’ve been different. But if players still look fit and they can still bring what you’re asking from them, you don’t need to make subs.”

    “It’s not all about you have five subs, so you also need to take that, it’s depending on how the game goes and depending on how players are feeling themselves. It depends on how the schedule after this particular game is. So I think we managed it very well, we are very happy with it. At the end of the day, we made five subs, yeah you know, you can see that they are making subs because their coach was not happy in how their players were performing, not because of giving the players he took off in the game a rest because he wasn’t happy in how they were performing because we were doing it well.”

    On Vermeer’s injury and Tytoń’s play

    “Yeah, you know [Tyton] did well when he came in, you know he needed to do what we were asking from him when Kenneth is not playing, so we are very happy with him, but I’ve told that before as well. Tyty is a real contender for Kenneth, he keeps Kenneth on his toes as well and if Kenneth cannot play and we need to make a different decision then we know that [Tytoń] can deliver the ability that we need so we were very happy with him you know taking over.”

    “Kenneth felt his quad. He didn’t risk it for the team to stay on because you never know what happens if he needs to kick a ball again or whatever, so that’s why we made the decision to take him off. So if Kenneth is not fit enough for next week or after ten days, then yeah, then Tyty needs to step in. That’s how it works, but we are happy with Tyty and what he’s bringing.”

    FC Cincinnati Midfielder Florian Valot

    Thoughts on his debut with FC Cincinnati

    “It felt great to be finally out there in this stadium. I’ve been waiting for this the last two or three days, so I’m really happy to be coming in and helping the team secure a point. It was a good game against a really good team. We did our best to get three points. Coming out of this game with one point is good but we could have done a bit better.”

    On his first impressions with the team
    “We have really good quality players on the ball. I think we need to be a little bit better in the last third. We scored a beautiful goal with [Luciano], Barreal, and Brenner. Really good things tonight. As I said earlier, I need to learn a little bit more, the system and the players, and see if I can add a little bit to this team.”

    FC Cincinnati Defender Gustavo Vallecilla 

    (Translated from Spanish to English)

    On his thoughts on the match

    “It was a up and down match I think we fought hard for it today and found something in ourselves today. I feel like we have been defending well as of recently with the back line, but errors like this happen in matches so you just and to keep focus and keep defending the next play.”Match Recap

  • [Photo Album] FC Cincinnati tied Atlanta, falls to Nashville

    [Photo Album] FC Cincinnati tied Atlanta, falls to Nashville

    FC Cincinnati tied with visiting Atlanta United FC, 1-1, Wednesday, July 21 in a night game at TQL Stadium in front of a crowd of 23,162. 

    After a scoreless first half, Luciano Acosta’s team-leading fourth goal of the season gave FC Cincinnati the lead in the 61st minute. His right-footed curling shot came after a perfectly weighted pass from Brenner to take the 1-0 lead.

    Atlanta United FC equalized in the 70th minute, and the result would hold for a 1-1 draw.

    FCC goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer had a season high eight saves.

    FC Cincinnati traveled back to the Music City to take on Nashville SC on Saturday, July 24 at Nissan Stadium, site of the club’s season opening 2-2 draw in April, but fell to Nashville 3:0. 

    The Orange and Blue fell to 3-7-4 (13 points) for the season. Nashville improves to 6-1-8 and with the win moved into second place in the Eastern Conference with 26 points. Nashville is the first club in MLS to earn six wins at home this season.

    C.J. Sapong scored a brace for the hosts, striking first in the 13th minute. Randall Leal’s 35th minute goal gave Nashville a 2-0 halftime lead before Sapong’s 57th minute goal gave the contest its final scoreline.

    FC Cincinnati was shutout for the first time since a 2-0 home loss to Colorado Rapids on June 19. The goalless defeat snapped a six-match streak in which FCC had scored at least one goal, the second longest run in club history.

    Arquimides Ordonez made his senior debut with the club as a substitute in the 74th minute, becoming the first homegrown player in club history to appear in a match.

    FC Cincinnati returns to action at home next Saturday, July 31 against D.C. United at TQL Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

    The photos below of the Atlanta United match on July 21 are by Loveland Magazine photographer, Alex Eicher.

    In other FC Cincinnati news:

    U.S. SOCCER SELECTS CINCINNATI AS HOST FOR USA-MEXICO NOVEMBER WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

    For the U.S. Men’s National Team’s fourth home match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, U.S. Soccer has selected Cincinnati as the host of USA-Mexico. 

    On November 12, TQL Stadium will be the site for the first qualifier in Cincinnati. The match will be broadcast live on the ESPN and Univision family of networks, with kickoff time to be determined.

    “When you talk about great rivalries in our sport, USA-Mexico is one of the best,” U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter said. “We are fortunate to have so many great venue options in this country, and for this match Cincinnati ticks all the boxes.”

    “This is a special game that requires a special atmosphere, and we know it’s one that Cincinnati will provide.”

    “This match is the culmination of years of planning and hard work,” said Jeff Berding, FC Cincinnati President. “We had a vision to build a stadium that was not only home to FC Cincinnati matches, but also a premier destination for world-class events. This is one of the biggest matches in North America, and we are proud to play host to all of the fans that will be in attendance.”

    Due to the anticipated high demand, U.S. Soccer will once again be utilizing a weighted random draw for tickets. Information on the ticket allocation process is available here.

    AGAINST MEXICO

    The most anticipated game in the region every four years, this is the sixth-consecutive time the state of Ohio has hosted the USA-Mexico qualifier. These meetings have produced some of the most significant moments in U.S. Soccer history in a rivalry that dates back to 1934.

    While Mexico had historically dominated the series, competition between the teams has grown into a proper rivalry since 2000 during which time the U.S. has held the edge, amassing a record of 15-9-6 against its neighbors to the south. The most important meeting in the modern era came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan in the Round of 16. 

    The epic encounters continued last month when the USMNT was crowned champion of the inaugural Concacaf Nations League after twice coming from behind to defeat Mexico 3-2 in a match that required 30 minutes of overtime to determine a winner. 

    Since 2000, the series is an even 4-4-2 in World Cup Qualifying contests. 

    ONLY TWO IN NOVEMBER 

    The match against Mexico will be the first of two matches during the November, with the USMNT traveling to Jamaica for the second match on Nov. 16 against the Reggae Boyz. 

    November is the only month during the entire World Cup Qualifying campaign where the USMNT will only play two games instead of three. In September and October of this year, and then January, and March of 2022, the USMNT contend with a ‘triple date’ during which the U.S. will play three matches in seven days. 

    Under the new qualifying format, a total of eight teams – increased from six in previous cycles -will compete in the Final Round, with the top three teams advancing to Qatar ’22. The fourth-place team will participate in an Intercontinental playoff for the last spot.

    The 10 matches in the Final Round had typically been played during the course of 18 months. Due to schedule changes related to the global pandemic and the new format, each team will play14 matched in seven-month period. 

  • 15th Amazing Charity Race

    15th Amazing Charity Race

    Saturday, August 28 at Milford

    The Amazing Charity Race has returned! This year will see a somewhat shorter race but still have the same fun. The event details are below. Follow the event page for important race updates. Stay tuned!

    Since its inception in 2005, the Amazing Charity Race has raised over $600,000 to more than 20 charities in the Greater Cincinnati Area. The Amazing Charity Race started in 2005 as Loveland’s Amazing Race and has grown into one of the biggest races in the whole Cincinnati tri-state area! With a little bit of this and a little bit of that – we make you walk, run, ride, think and do – all for the fun of it!

    ​WHAT IS IT?

    It is a full day of good-natured competition, music, and food, and laughs. The race committee is laughing itself silly coming up with fun challenges. It is not a triathlon or a 5K race. It is not limited to runners or highly athletic individuals. It is a race in that it has a start and finish line but along the way, it challenges the contestants in many ways. It is a fun, quirky, adventure that challenges the contestant’s agility, balance, coordination, strength, intelligence, problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and most importantly, their sense of humor. You are invited whether it is to compete or join our team of over 500 volunteers so come enjoy, have a great time for a good cause and as always expect the unexpected. Racers must be AT LEAST 13 years old to do the race with a parent. At 16 years old, racers can do the race with another 16 year old. Available divisions: Parent/Child, Male/Female, Male/Male, Female/Female.

  • FC Cincinnati comes up short against Colorado Rapids

    FC Cincinnati comes up short against Colorado Rapids

    by Alex Eicher

    Cincinnati, Ohio – FC Cincinnati lost 0-2 to the Colorado Rapids last Saturday night at TQL Stadium. The contest was the first sellout in the history of the stadium.

    Colorado Rapids (5-2-1, 16 pts.) struck first in the 21st minute when Michael Barrios snuck in behind the FC Cincinnati defense and laid the ball off to Diego Rubio, who slotted it home. Jack Price’s through ball in the 72nd minute found Jonathan Lewis, whose left footed shot gave the match its final score line.

    The contest was the first sellout in the history of the stadium.

    FC Cincinnati (1-5-1, 4 pts.) outshot Colorado Rapids 22-7 and had seven shots on target to Colorado’s two, but were not able to find the back of the net. Both the team’s 22 shots and seven shots on goal were season-highs.

    On Wednesday night, Álvaro Barreal’s 50th minute free kick game-winning goal was one of a club record 12 shots on goal as FC Cincinnati defeated the hosts Chicago Fire SC, 1-0, at Soldier Field.

    Orange and Blue look ahead to Saturday night matchup with Toronto FC in Orlando

    FC Cincinnati looks to win its third road contest of the season Saturday night when it takes on Toronto FC from Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Kickoff is set for 7 PM ET, and the game will be televised on WSTR 64, carried on the radio on ESPN 1530, streamed regionally on fccincinnati.com/stream, out of market on ESPN+, while an audio stream will be available via the iHeartRadio app.

    Read the SCORING SUMMARY of the Colorado Rapids matchup, MISCONDUCT SUMMARY, and POSTGAME QUOTES below…

    Colorado Rapids 2, FC Cincinnati 0

    TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
    June 19, 2021

    SCORING SUMMARY

    COL – Diego Rubio (Michael Barrios) 21’
    COL – Jonathan Lewis (Jack Price) 72’

    FC Cincinnati: Kenneth Vermeer, Edgar Castillo (Brandon Vazquez 77’), Gustavo Vallecilla (Nick Hagglund 46’), Geoff Cameron, Joseph-claude Gyau, Luciano Acosta ©, Allan Cruz, Yuya Kubo (Haris Medunjanin 77’), Isaac Atanga (Jürgen Locadia 63’), Brenner (Franko Kovačević 82’), Alvaro Barreal

    Bench: Przemyslaw Tyton, Tom Pettersson, Caleb Stanko, Kamohelo Mokotjo

    Stats: Shots 22, Shots on Goal 7, Saves 0, Corners 6, Offsides 1, Fouls 8, Possession 53.8%, Passes 448 (85.5%)

    Colorado Rapids: William Yarbrough, Keegan Rosenberry, Lalas Abubakar (Drew Moore 70’), Danny Wilson, Auston Trusty, Sam Vines (Braian Galvan 90’), Kellyn Acosta, Jack Price, Cole Bassett (Nicholas Mezquida 84’), Michael Barrios (Nicholas Benezet 46’), Diego Rubio (Jonathan Lewis 46’)

    Bench: Clint Irwin, Oliver larraz, Andre Shinyashiki, Collen Warner

    Stats: Shots 7, Shots on Goal 2, Saves 7, Corners 4, Offsides 2, Fouls 16, Possession 46.2%, Passes 384 (82.3%)

    MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

    COL – Kellyn Acosta (caution) 23’
    CIN – Brenner (caution) 45’
    CIN – Edgar Castillo (caution) 45+6’
    COL – Lalas Abubakar (caution) 45+6’
    COL – Jack Price (caution) 61’
    COL – Danny Wilson (caution) 90+2’

    Referee: Baldomero Toledo

    Ast. Referees: Eric Boria, Adam Wienckowski

    4th official: Danielle Chesky

    VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.

    AVAR: Jeff Muschik

    Weather: 80 degrees and partly cloudy

    Attendance: 25,054 (sellout)

    GAME NOTES

    • Head coach Jaap Stam made three changes from the previous match against New England, with Edgar Castillo, Alvaro Barreal, and Isaac Atanga replacing Ronald Matarrita, Caleb Stanko and Jürgen Locadia.
    • Edgar Castillo started for the Orange and Blue to make his first appearance with the club. The 34-year old U.S. International, and former Colorado Rapid, played 77 minutes in the left back spot.
    • Franko Kovačević made his first appearance for the Orange and Blue this season, and just his second appearance in total, coming on for Brenner in the 82nd minute.
    • With the loss, FC Cincinnati’s record this season through seven MLS matches comes to 1-5-1 (4 points). FCC’s all-time record against the Rapids drops to 0-2-0.
    • Zico Bailey, Calvin Harris, and Maikel van der Werff were all excluded from the matchday squad due to injuries.
    • Luciano Acosta wore the captain’s armband for the third time this season.
    • The Orange and Blue utilized the maximum five substitutions for the third time this season.

    POSTGAME QUOTES

    FC Cincinnati head coach Jaap Stam

    “It’s a little bit from our side tonight unbelievable that we are sitting here on our side and we haven’t scored a goal. I think in how we played, how we started the game, how we went forward first half as well, sometimes impressing as well sometimes defending in a block. Doing that very well, creating very good opportunities to score ourselves. We didn’t pull the trigger ourselves.

    I think we gave that goal away because one ran in behind and that ball went over the top and he was through. It’s a goal you can’t concede like this but it happens. That’s a little bit of the situation sometimes that we are in now as well in the stepping stones that we need to make and the process that we are, that sometimes we are making little mistakes and wrong choices, that’s going to cost us.

    On the other hand we create we go forward you create opportunities and you can’t finish them off. Second half we kept on pushing, we spoke about what to do in the second half. We dominated big parts of the game, we created quite a few opportunities to score. Even opportunities sometime that you need to pick someone else up who’s in a better position to score.

    We couldn’t do that and on the break, I believe they score that second goal and I think that’s their only shot of the second half on target. It went in, I still need to see it back. It’s all about and we spoke about it in other games as well, other games that we’ve been losing, for example, the Miami game here at home. Come back into the game you get opportunities but you give away a third goal and you cannot score yourself enough goals. New England towards the end of the game as well you create the opportunities but we cannot unfortunately pull the trigger so you don’t get a point out of it as well. Today I think we should’ve had more but should’ve could’ve it’s about…. If you get the opportunities you need to finish them off yourself as well. We also know, where we are. You’re always talking about things that go wrong but it’s not a thing that you need to write always because it’s easy also to write my comments and everybody thinks oh they must’ve played a bad game and that’s not the case because I think we played very well. We did very well. we created a lot and even in that we could’ve done better its very positive in how we approached the game and what we achieved eventually and that’s a part of what we are looking for and making progress and eventually I’m very confident we’ll get there.

    Also in making these steps and making changes and maybe there’s more you never know what’s going to happen. You start here and then you’re building your way up there. It’s a lot better to start here and ending up there. That’s not building and we all know how that goes. We try to work on that every day, every game. Also you’re working with human beings, like you guys don’t always write the same piece. Players don’t always make the same decisions on the pitch. That’s at times how it goes as well.’’

    On the credit he gives to Rapids keeper:

    “Yeah I give him credit also we sometimes make it easy because we shoot that ball against him so he doesn’t need to do a lot if you pick an angle and you take a corner then it goes in probably but that also got to do with players when you’re under pressure. Sometimes you don’t have the time to make a decision and you just need to shoot and pull the trigger. So that happens as well but he made good saves. The difference is that we give them two opportunities and they score two. We get seven very good opportunities and I’m still very on the low side maybe and we cannot score and that’s unfortunate.

    When you see the plays as well everyone is very disappointed down, because also we speak about it every week the players feel that they are close. If you can’t reward yourself then it becomes more difficult at times to get that boost to make that next step and that’s what we are looking for.’’

    On two opposing shots becoming two opposing goals.

    “We are aiming to do that even more, not to concede but to have more shots and opportunities. Yeah and I’ve been there myself as well, it’s very difficult when you play a game against a team and the other teams have quality as well. It’s not like we are playing and we are making progress and we are bringing other players in. The other teams are doing the exact thing and they also started from where they ended last season.’’

    FC Cincinnati midfielder Allan Cruz

    Note: translated from Spanish to English

    On playing in front of the home crowd

    “It’s great to be playing at full capacity, unfortunately we weren’t able to get the win for our fans. We just want to take this as a learning opportunity moving forward.”

    On the opportunities pushing forward

    “As you saw, we had opportunities to finish and score those goals. I think sometimes we were missing just the calmness to finish those plays. With regards to my position, it’s my natural position and I feel comfortable in that position. Sometimes I think I need to be a little more in the box and have more opportunities to score, but overall I like that position. Obviously, (Colorado goalkeeper Yarborough) had some good saves. We had a few opportunities and we didn’t finish them off. When you have those opportunities and you can’t finish them, there is a little bit of frustration.

    On his time with Costa Rica during the international break

    “I was away but while I was away I was playing. I’m always training when I’m with my national team. Coming back to the team (FC Cincinnati), it’s good to be back, thank God I’m back, we just need to get those wins.”

    FC Cincinnati defender Edgar Castillo

    On his first appearance and start with the club
    “I felt a little nervous but I think I did good, just not the result we wanted. I think overall we played good but it’s luck, we don’t have any luck. We created so many chances and it’s a matter of putting it in. It was just unlucky for us but we have to keep our head up and keep going”

    On his role stepping into the starting XI in front of TQL Stadium

    “We all prepare, I train so whenever Jaap needs us, he needed me today. (You) just have to try to be ready whenever needed. It’s beautiful to have people back in the stands, it’s amazing. It’s unfortunate we did not get a win today.”

  • Ohio House approves transgender sports ban for women’s athletics

    Ohio House approves transgender sports ban for women’s athletics

    By Tyler Buchanan and Ohio Capital Journal

    Ohio lawmakers approved a bill Thursday to allow college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness, with Republicans adding an unrelated provision to ban transgender girls from competing in women’s high school and college sports.

    The last-minute addition of a provision dealing with the transgender sports ban set off a chaotic debate on the Ohio House of Representatives floor. Republican lawmakers defended the amendment as necessary to preserve the integrity and fairness of women’s athletics. Democrats condemned the effort as anti-LGBTQ+ and as being rushed through without a full legislative process.

    Gov. Mike DeWine too criticized the proposal.

    “This issue is best addressed outside of government, through individual sports leagues and athletic associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who can tailor policies to meet the needs of their member athletes and member institutions,” the governor said in a statement.

    The House provision was added to an otherwise bipartisan bill about college athletics which recently passed the Ohio Senate in a unanimous vote. 

    The House vote was 57-36, with one Republican joining the full Democratic caucus in voting against.

    Within hours, the Senate rejected the changes and worked to again pass legislation dealing with athletes benefiting from their personal “name, image and likeness” — without the transgender athletes amendment. Senators added this “NIL” language to an unrelated bill and included in a section dealing with the legalization of sports gambling. 

    The ball, so to speak, is back in the House’s court.

    Legislation to let college athletes benefit from their personal “name, image and likeness” — without losing their sports eligibility — has gained momentum in states throughout the country.

    Under the Ohio Statehouse proposals, college athletes would be able to sign endorsement deals with brands so long as the sponsorships do not conflict with deals already in place at their collegiate programs.

    “The example I would give is, if the school is a Nike school and the student gets an Adidas contract, they should be able to have that,” state Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, who first introduced the legislation, explained last week. “But they’re not going to be able to wear Adidas during a practice or during a media session that is an official team activity on or off campus.”

    With some states having already passed NIL bills, figures such as Ohio State University athletic director Gene Smith and head football coach Ryan Day have urged lawmakers to act quicklyso that programs like the Buckeyes would not face a competitive disadvantage with recruiting.

    As lawmakers consider the issue on a state-by-state basis, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is considering its own sweeping changes at the national level.

    The House amendment was introduced by state Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, who has repeatedly argued for the need to ban transgender girls from playing women’s  sports. She and fellow Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus, R-Paris Twp., are sponsors of the “Save Women’s Sports Act” which calls for the same ban as in Thursday’s amendment.

    Powell earlier criticized President Biden for selecting a Dr. Rachel Levine, who is transgender, to be the nation’s assistant health secretary.

    The Ohio Capital Journal previously reported there were five transgender girls who competed in women’s sports out of around 400,000 high school athletes in Ohio.

    A string of House Democrats spoke out against the amendment, including Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes, D-Akron, who called it a “poison pill” added to an otherwise agreeable bill.

    “This awful, terrible, disgusting, vile, worse-than-the-sticky-stuff-on-the-bottom-of-my-shoe amendment is in a bill that could have helped so many,” Sykes complained, noting it comes during Pride Month celebrating LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

    This story has been updated to include a statement from the governor.

  • Loveland High School Track Stars flashing medals from State Tournament

    Loveland High School Track Stars flashing medals from State Tournament

    by Grace Nunn

    Columbus (Hilliard High School), Ohio – Saturday, June 5th, 11 members of the Loveland Track and Field team competed in the OHSAA State Championships.

    The 5 women going to state included Sarah Madix (11), Mady Conatser (10), Jessie Gibbins (11), Emmy Sager, (11) and Ally Carpenter (10). While the 6 men going to state included JP Tew (11), Brady Steiner (10), Ajay Stutz (12), Ryan Chevalier (11), Jesse Jenkins (12), and Ethan Smith (12).

    The 4×800 (3600) meter relay resulted in an amazing Division One Runner-Up award for the Men’s team with a time of 7:48.83, less than 2 seconds behind Lakota West’s time of 7:47.48.

    The Women’s team scored an amazing 4th place behind Mentor, Dublin Coffman, and Hilliard Davidson with a time of 9:15.82.

    Along with these amazing group achievements, the team had some incredible individual awards. Ryan Chevalier scored 10th in the 1600 meter run, with a time of 4:17.55. Madison Conatser placed 7th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:15.64 and Jessie Gibbins placed 12th in the 800 meter with a time of 2:17.50. Go Tigers!

    Soph. Madison Conatser (Far Right) capped off her incredible 1st season of running track finishing 7th at the D1 State Championships. (Photo by OHSAA)
    https://twitter.com/lovelandcc1/status/1400889874505404420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1400889874505404420%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2Flovelandcc12Fstatus2F1400889874505404420widget%3DTweet

    Click here for complete State Championship results.