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MAGNOLIA – The Catholic Central girls’ soccer team battled, but the Crusaders were not able to overcome their early deficit.
Hiland – the No. 4 seed – scored less than seven minutes into the game, and the Hawks added another one late in the first half as Hiland defeated No. 2 seed Catholic Central, 3-0, in an Ohio Division V Eastern District Final Wednesday night up at Sandy Valley.
“Our kids played really hard,” Catholic Central (12-6-1) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. “We had a good gameplan. They scored a quick goal. We got down, and we had to chase the game. It was tough one.”
Hiland’s Meadow Kellogg opened the scoring when she scored on a freekick with 33:37 left to play in the first half to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The goal was Kellogg’s 11th of the season. She scored her 10th goal Monday night leading Hiland to a 1-0 victory against No. 1 seed Bishop Rosecrans in the semifinals.
With the win, the Hawks (11-6-3) have advanced to the regional semifinals at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Navarre’s Brideweser Stadium.
It was the second-straight season the Hawks defeated the Crusaders in the district final. Hiland also defeated Catholic Central, 3-0, last season at Sandy Valley.
“The progress they have made in the last four years has been amazing,” Hoover said. “This senior class has been amazing. They have done a great job the last two or three seasons. I know we did not get the result we wanted, but to have two district runners-up says a lot of about the progress they made, and it says a lot about the program.”
Hiland had the momentum early Wednesday, but the girls from Jefferson County were able to turn the tide and get things going their way.
The Blue-and-Gold got a couple of corner kicks with a little less than 26 minutes left to play in the first half, however, the girls in blue were not able to take advantage of them.
“We settled down,” Hoover said. “We started to connect our passes. We were able to find ourselves. We controlled the game for 15-20 minutes. We just could not find the back of the net to even the score up.”
The Crusaders had another opportunity a little later, however, Hiland goalie Kaitlyn Klink was about to save the shot from long range keeping her team out in front with 23:24 left in the half.
Then, it was Catholic Central goalie Addie Long’s turn to make a save as she stopped a shot from Kellogg with 20:35 remaining in the half.
The two teams traded possession back-and-forth, however, the girls from Holmes County were able to extend their advantage with less than seven minutes left before halftime. This time, Ally Mullett netted the goal giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead with 6:29 left to play in the first half.
Hiland took its two-goal advantage into halftime.
The Hawks came out strong to start the second half as the girls in white fired a shot on goal in the opening seconds of the half, but Long was in position to make the save.
Catholic Central had an opportunity to cut into its deficit later in the half as Aurie Hoover got a shot off on target, however, Klink was in position to make her second save of the night.
“We were not able to find one close to the goal,” Coach Hoover said. “We challenged their goalie from the outside, but she was in the right spots to make the saves. We battled. The kids played hard. I am really proud of our effort.”
Long was tested less than two minutes later, and the goalie came up with a big save to keep her team within striking distance with 31:02 remaining in the game. The shot attempt came off a Hiland corner kick.
Long then made a save on an long-range shot with 27:19 left.
Long ended the game with eight saves.
Hiland was finally able to break through for its third goal as Gabby Mullett netted one to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead with 3:21 still showing on the scoreboard clock. Ally Mullett assisted on the goal.
Gabby Mullett briefly played in goal in the second half after Klink had to leave the game following an injury.
Klink ended the night with three saves, while Gabby Mullett did not have to make one.
The game was the final one for Catholic Central’s five seniors – Aurie Hoover, Delaney Dankert, Gigi Rook, Monica Bolster and Corrine Lee.
“I am really proud of this senior class,” Hoover said. “I am really happy with how they played. We want to continue this. To keep your program going, you need strong senior classes, and this is one of the strongest senior classes we have had.”
Catholic Central opened the postseason by knocking off No. 7 seed Edison, 8-0, via mercy rule in a district quarterfinal Oct. 21 at home down at the Tony Recinella Soccer Field before shutting out No. 5 seed Ridgewood, 3-0, in the semifinals Monday evening at home.
“This was one of the tougher season we have had,” Coach Hoover said. “We played one of the toughest schedules in the district. It was tough, but the kids responded. We are going to build off this.”