Truckers stay hot, blank Huron

NORWALK — Mason Gamble can see everything. From his center back position in the middle of the Norwalk soccer defense, Gamble has a view of the entire field. The four-year player for the Truckers can also see something else. After a 1-2 start, Norwalk has now gone 7-1-1 in its eight matches since following Monday's 4-0 win over Huron. Norwalk (8-3-1, 4-0) remains atop the Sandusky Bay Conference standings with four league matches remaining. Despite a coaching change and the graduation of a 38-goal scorer, the Truckers are still thriving as the calendar approaches October. "I think coming off last year and not winning the league, we have a bunch of seniors this year who are motivated," Gamble said. "It's something we really want to do." Though expectations may have shifted outside the program, that wasn't the case amongst the team. "We only lost Erik (Rangle-Negrete) and Drew (Thomas) and made it to a district final, so the expectations were still there," Gamble said. "We figured everyone else graduated players, too, and we made it that far with two seniors. We can do it again and try to make it further." In Monday's win, Ben Snyder opened the scoring at the 32:41 mark of the first half.Elliot Gahring found the back of the net twice for a 3-0 lead. Connor Nickle closed out the scoring with just under four minutes left with a goal from close range. Though it was a slower start, the Truckers also faced Maumee Valley Country Day (7-4-1) and Mansfield Madison (9-1) in two early matches. After taking those losses in competitive fashion — 4-2 and 2-1 — the Truckers have taken off. They tied Ontario (5-2-3) and lost just 2-1 at Wauseon (8-2) against two more quality non-league opponents. "We definitely have found another gear," first-year head coach Chris Schnell said. "We faced two of our tougher teams against Maumee and Madison while short a couple players at the beginning of the year. "But our seniors have really linked up, stayed together and are now driving this team." Schnell said when he took this job and looked at the roster, he knew the talent was there to make a run. "We didn't have Omar (Dominguez) until tonight, and Ben up top is potentially one of the best players in the conference," Schnell said. "We have Juan Martinez at wing, and he could be one of the better midfielders in the league. "I knew we had talent, but it was a matter of putting it together and showing the kids we could score," he added. "We just have to get to the point of putting the ball in the back of the net. But talent-wise, we knew this was there." Norwalk is at Vermilion (7-4-2, 4-1-1) on Wednesday and heads to Old Fort (4-6-1, 2-1-1) next Monday (Sept. 3) before hosting Perkins (8-2-1, 4-0-1) on Oct. 2. The Truckers then visit Port Clinton (6-4, 4-2) on Oct. 7. The Sailors and Pirates tied earlier this season. "We have a couple tough ones coming up with Vermilion and Old Fort before Perkins, but it's one match at a time," Schnell said. "We know what that Perkins match could be, but we have to get there first. We remind them that we have our goal and we can see it, but we have to get the job done against some good teams. "We still have to put one foot in front of the other. But we're getting there and are hitting our stride at the right time."