Jaynes, Johnson guide Eagles defense in 1-0 win over Falcons

by Michael Smith
 
The Grain Valley boys soccer team was having trouble scoring.
 
Through three games in the 2023 season, the Eagles had just three goals, all of which came in a 4-3 loss to Olathe North in the Harrisonville Tournament.
 
In two games, Grain Valley was shut out. The offensive woes seemed like they were going to continue in Tuesday’s non-conference contest with Van Horn as the team created chances but couldn’t get goals.
 
The Eagles defense kept them in it as senior goalkeeper Landon Jaynes kept the Falcons at bay with nine saves and the play of the back line made things difficult for the opposition.
 
Because of the stellar defensive play, senior forward Ethan Galvin knocked in the game-winning header in the second overtime to give Grain Valley its first win of the season as it topped Van Horn 1-0.
 
He had one in the first half in which he made a leaping grab on a header from junior Nahum Manzanares that was headed into the upper 90. The Van Horn junior also had a shot off a corner kick right in front of the goal but Jaynes made a diving stop.
 
“He has the natural tools to be a really good goalie,” Lewis said of Jaynes. “He’s 6-foot-4 and he has a long wingspan. He saves shots that players are going to go to the side netting or lower corner, but he will stretch out and parry it away.”
 
“He came up big for us tonight.”
 
So did the back line led by senior Isaiah Johnson and Cohen Hackworth, both of whom made some key defensive plays, including taking away some breakaway opportunities from Van Horn.
 
The Falcons outshot the Eagles 14-7 (8-4 on goal) but the Grain Valley defense did just enough to keep the opposition at bay.
 
“Cohen and Isaiah did fantastic,” Lewis said. “They made sure we handled (Van Horn senior Justin Vest). In the first half, we let him get loose, but we talked about it at halftime that (the Falcons) could get behind us if we are not locked in. We did a better job against that in the second half.”
 
Jaynes also praised his back line for giving him solid support.
 
“Isaiah is a lockdown player, 24-7,” Jaynes said. “Cohen backs him up, too. Our back line is solid all the way around.”
 
The Eagles had some opportunities as most came in the second half. One goal from senior forward Isaiah Johnson was waived off due to an offsides call. A direct free kick from Harris looked to be headed inside the left post and Falcons goalkeeper Levi Carter ranged over to make the save.
 
There were also a pair of open shots from the Eagles that were pushed just wide of the goal.
 
The Eagles finally broke through, however. Senior midfielder Kafir Harris sent a corner kick deep in the penalty box and a Van Horn player cleared the ball with a header.
 
The ball went right back to Harris and he lobbed a pass right in front of Galvan as the senior set off an Eagles celebration with his goal.
 
“Funny enough, he had a corner just like that earlier and he sent it to the back post.” Galvin said. “I was thinking, ‘Hey. Back post again. I went there and got it in.”
 
Galvan has taken over as a primary scoring option for the Eagles as he played in just his second game of the season. He missed the first game due to being ineligible for not participating in enough practices before the season (he missed practices because of pain from wisdom teeth being pulled) and he couldn’t make another due to a band event.
 
But so far, he’s embraced the role of being of the players Lewis counts on to score goals.
 
“Ethan is a great player for us,” said Lewis, whose team improved to 1-3 overall. “He’s always been a good scorer. He was more of a complimentary piece last year, but we are looking for him to score more goals this year.
 
“When he is on the field, we are much more dangerous on offense.”

Grain Valley senior striker Ethan Galvan, left, scored the game winning goal in double overtime and senior goalie Landon Jaynes made nine saves is Grain Valley's 1-0 win over Van Horn Tuesday on the road. Photo credit: Michael Smith