CLYDE — He started the season as Ontario’s goal keeper, but Gage Weaver has found a home at the top of the Warriors’ attack.
A sophomore forward, Weaver scored the game-winning goal with 17 seconds remaining as second-seeded Ontario knocked off No. 4 Norwalk 3-2 in the nightcap of a Division II district semifinal doubleheader at Robert J. Bishop Stadium on Monday.
The Warriors (11-4-3) will take on Lexington for a district title Thursday at a site and time to be determined. The Minutemen blanked Vermilion 6-0 in Monday’s opener.
As a freshman, Weaver was Ontario’s regular goal keeper and made 40 saves as the Warriors reached the district semifinals. He started his sophomore campaign in the net and notched 27 more saves before requesting a position change.
“It was him. He came to us and said, ‘I think I’m more valuable to the team in the field,’ ” Ontario coach Chris McClenathan said.
The move turned out to be a good one as Weaver scored his 21st and 22nd goals of the season Monday. His first goal gave the Warriors a 2-1 lead with 31:39 remaining in the second half and came less than two minutes after Aiden Frankhouse tied it at 1-1 off a Josh Young assist.
“I like playing in the field a lot better. There’s more action,” Weaver said. “I started in the field my freshman year and then went back to goal and then came back on the field because I thought I’d be a better attribute on the field for my team.”
Weaver’s game-winner came off a Frankhouse assist and gave the Warriors their second one-goal victory over the Truckers this season. Ontario beat Norwalk 2-1 in late August.
“Aiden put a touch on it. I called for it and he just toe-poked it and it went to my feet and I knocked it in,” Weaver said. “He set it up for me really well and things just worked out in the end.”
