NORTH CANTON, OHIO — Walsh bounced back from consecutive losses with a dominant 4-1 victory over visiting Thomas More on Thursday, breaking a two-game skid with a commanding display that saw the Cavaliers control play for long stretches. The home side's clinical finishing in the second half proved the difference as Walsh improved to 5-8-3 overall, while Thomas More fell to 6-9-1 and extended its losing streak to three matches.
Walsh's attack came alive after halftime, adding three goals to a slim 1-0 first-half advantage. The opening goal came in the 31st minute when the Cavaliers capitalized on their early pressure. Walsh added a second before the break, establishing a two-goal cushion heading into the intermission. Thomas More managed a response in the 54th minute to cut the deficit in half, but Walsh's defense tightened considerably after that, allowing the Saints no further scoring opportunities.
The first half remained tightly contested despite Walsh's territorial advantage. Both teams created chances early, with Ivy Hoffman testing Walsh's defense multiple times for Thomas More while Jamie Duskey and Maddie Schweiger generated opportunities on the other end. The Saints' defense held firm for much of the opening 45 minutes, but a lapse in concentration allowed Walsh to break through just before halftime. Paityn Marino and Katie Norris led Walsh's attacking efforts during the opening period, though neither could find the back of the net until the breakthrough came.
Walsh's second-half adjustments made an immediate impact. The Cavaliers came out with renewed intensity after the break, and their pressure paid dividends in the 64th minute when they extended their lead to 3-1. Marino remained a constant threat throughout, while Maddie Schweiger's presence in the attacking third created additional problems for Thomas More's backline. The Saints struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure in the second half, with Josie Gruber and Lauren Laake unable to create clear-cut chances despite their efforts.
Walsh added a fourth goal in the 85th minute to seal the result, effectively ending any hopes of a Thomas More comeback. The Cavaliers' defense, anchored by solid performances throughout the lineup, limited the Saints to just nine shots on goal. Thomas More's goalkeeper made nine saves in a losing effort, while Walsh's keeper recorded eight stops to preserve the victory.
Statistically, Walsh dominated possession and shot volume, recording 23 total attempts compared to Thomas More's 12. The Cavaliers also won the corner-kick battle 5-1, creating multiple set-piece opportunities that kept pressure on the Saints throughout the match. Neither team received yellow cards in a relatively clean contest.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Walsh after dropping consecutive road matches to Ashland and Cedarville. The Cavaliers' ability to execute in the final third proved decisive, particularly after halftime when they converted their chances with clinical precision. For Thomas More, the loss continues a difficult stretch that has seen the Saints struggle to find consistency on the road.
Walsh returns home on November 4 to face Malone, looking to build on this momentum. Thomas More will attempt to snap its three-game losing streak when it hosts Tiffin on November 1, seeking to rediscover the form that kept the Saints competitive earlier in the season.