By Shawn Ellwood
WARREN OH- In the first game of the new year for a couple of storied foes, it would be the Poland Bulldogs who would come through with an impressive 6-0 shutout win over Howland to kick off the 2026 campaign.
In their first game under new head coach Melissa Kopanic, the Bulldogs started the night on the attack, their defense clamping down on the Tigers, paving the way for some strong openings in the offensive front. And it would be senior leader Eliana Lloyd who would break the ice and notch the first goal of the night. Ali Blinsky and Juliana McDougal would each add a goal on a couple of ricochets to give Poland the 3-0 halftime advantage.
The second half would prove to be much the same for the Bulldogs offense, with Eliana Lloyd adding her second goal of the night, while juniors Ava Stabi and Kennedy Hassay would each find the back of the net.
Ella Matthew was also a wall protecting the Bulldogs’ net the entire night, recording herself a clean sheet and helping to back-up the lockdown Poland defense that Howland found no answer for the entire night.
Poland (1-0) starts the season off right, earning their first victory over Howland in 8 years, as Bulldogs now turn their attention to conference play, opening up their NE8 season with a battle at Hubbard on Thursday. Howland (0-1) will look to regroup as the TIgers will look for their first win under first-year head coach Mandie Washington when they travel to Alliance on Wednesday to battle the Aviators.