Devils hang on to beat Washburn

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP -  Ironwood avenged an early-season loss to Washburn with a 2-1 Northern Lights Conference soccer victory Tuesday.

The Devils lost to Washburn 6-2 in the season opener, but they took a 2-1 lead in the first half Tuesday and made it last.

"We started off pretty good, just like the last game," Ironwood coach Don Cvengros said. "The kids were ready to play. We were controlling the ball the first 10, 12 minutes."

Isaac Aukee moved down the right side and crossed it to freshman Ian Bentley, a lefty, who made a one-time shot off his left foot.

"They know Isaac," Cvengros said. "They're shadowing him. So we told him, 'You have to cross to somebody.' He did and it was a nice finish. That helped to get on the board first."

Ironwood made it 2-0 when Riley Jarocki sent it to Aukee, who got past defenders and the keeper for a goal.

Washburn took advantage of a free kick a minute or two later when Bill Blong shot to the upper, left part of the net.

"He made a perfect shot. There's just no way the keeper can stop that just perfect," Cvengros said.

Ironwood had good chances to score in the second half but didn't cash in.

Cvengros complimented three new players for playing well Tuesday: Matt Dary, Mitch Vargavich and Anthony Ursini.

"Our defensive line played well," he said. "They never had any really good opportunities to score other than the free kick."

Ironwood (2-4, 2-3) hosts Phillips Tuesday.