Boys Soccer: Ankamah’s two goals lift Columbus Academy to first win over Grandview Heights since 2016
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Academy’s Lucca Yingling (left) and Grandview’s Mateo Holliman go for the ball Aug. 30 at Academy. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Brian Ankamah was in the right place at the right time – not once – but twice. The sophomore forward’s two goals lifted the host Columbus Academy boys soccer team over Grandview Heights on Aug. 30.
Posting a 3-1 victory, the Vikings, who had not beaten the Bobcats since 2016, improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Central Buckeye League play.
Grandview, winners of the last two Division III state championships, was a step off most of the night and Academy took advantage.
“I don’t really know what happened,” Ankamah said. “I guess I was in the right place at the right time. When we played them last year, they beat us 4-nil and we had a bunch of people out. We just wanted to play hard and get the win.”
Dante Rajaie put the Vikings on the board first by burying a free kick from about 35 yards just inside the left post with 28 minutes, 48 seconds remaining in the first half.
Ankamah’s two goals came at the expense of a goalie having a bad night.
Academy’s Nick Dunaway (left) and Grandview’s Charlie Russell go for the ball Aug. 30 at Academy. Photo: John Hulkenberg
In an attempt to clear the ball, Grandview keeper Beck Bockbrader misfired directly to Ankamah, who was a couple of yards away at the top of the box. Anamah fired a shot to the right top corner to give Academy a 2-0 lead with 11:11 left before halftime.
Ankamah notched his second goal when he sent a shot that bounced off Bockbrader’s shin before trickling over the goal line for a 3-0 lead with 24:51 remaining in the game.
“I thought we controlled the game,” Academy coach Uri Montoya Arnau said. “We played good soccer and we had good chances, but in the end we didn’t finish. I always say that soccer is not fair. You can play a really good game and one mistake can (change the game).”
It was an uncharacteristic night for Bockbrader, who finished with two saves. But Grandview coach James Gerdes said there was plenty of blame to go around.
“That’s not our identity,” Gerdes said. “Basic mistakes all over the field, not just the goalkeeper. We did wake up in the second half and I thought we played better. By then, we had given (Academy) confidence and a two-goal head start.”
Ryan Livingston-Sanders replaced Bockbrader after the third goal and made two saves for the Bobcats, who fell to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.
Academy’s Jake Holfinger (right) and Grandview’s Lucas Schmied go for the ball Aug. 30 at Academy. Photo: John Hulkenberg
“(Bockbrader) came off an amazing game (when we beat Cincinnati Mariemont 2-0 on Aug. 30),” Gerdes said. “He played unbelievably well. These are high school kids and there are days when they’re on and other days when they’re not. He’s his own biggest critic – he’ll be extremely disappointed with himself.”
Evan Schenck-Chang had three saves for the Vikings with two coming in the final 15 seconds of the first half. Grandview’s Charlie Heald headed a ball at Schenck-Chang, who made the stop. Heald got a hold of the rebound, but was stopped again.
The Bobcats didn’t find the back of the net until Jayden Brown was fouled in the box and scored on the ensuing penalty kick with 7:44 remaining.
Grandview had won the last three meetings and were 4-0-2 since Academy’s last win.
“I didn’t know that,” said Montoya Arnau, who is in his first season with the Vikings. “I think any win is something to be proud of. I didn’t know that we hadn’t beaten them since 2016. Knowing that, it’s even better.”