Staff report
It was pretty much a disastrous day for county boys soccer teams in postseason play Saturday.
Sidney, Lehman and Botkins were all in semifinal play in sectional action, and none of the three were able to come away with a victory, bringing their seasons to an end.
Division 1
Sidney entered Saturday’s home game against Wayne playing as well as anyone, having put together a nine-game winning streak. But the Warriors emerged with a 1-0 victory, ending the Jackets’ outstanding season at 13-3-1.
Wayne is now 9-7-2 and advances to the sectional finals against top-seeded Beavercreek.
“A very even, hard fought game,” said Sidney coach Daniel Wicks, in his first season. “During this time of the season, almost every close game is decided by set pieces. We devoted a lot of our training sessions to focus on defending and attacking set pieces. We lost our concentration on one set piece in the second half and it cost us the game. Credit to Wayne and their goalkeeper specifically, he made three or four outstanding saves to keep us out.
“With a record of 13-3-2, we came up just one win shy of equaling the school record,” Wicks added. “I am very proud of what this group was able to accomplish this season.”
Sidney keeper Ben Snavley had seven saves.
Division 3
Lehman played at No. 4-seeded Bethel Saturday and lost a 2-0 decision to finish the season with a 6-11 record.
The Bees scored on a corner kick in the first half, and Lehman trailed 1-0 at the break. The Cavs stayed around up until the end, but with 7:42 left, Bethel converted a penalty kick to end the scoring.
“We came in with a game plan, and for the most part, it worked,” said Lehman coach Tom Wiseman. “To lose to the No. 4 team in the area at their place because of a corner kick and a PK says something about our effort. Our boys truly gave everything they had, but in the end we just couldn’t get and keep possession long enough.”
• In another D-3 semifinal, No. 11 seed Botkins played at No. 7 seed Newton and lost 5-2.
Bethel and Newton will meet in the sectional finals.
Botkins finishes the season 9-7-1.
