Staff report

SIDNEY — The Sidney girls soccer team posted what head coach Stacey Goffena called one of the biggest victories of her coaching career Monday night, upsetting previously unbeaten Springboro in a Greater Western Ohio Conference crossover game at the the high school, 1-0.

Springboro entered the game 11-0-1, was ranked No. 1 in Division 1 in the latest Miami Valley Coaches Poll, No. 5 in the state, and had allowed only five goals all season.

“I was so proud of the effort,” said Goffena. “The girls fought so hard for the full 80 minutes and deserved this win. During practice, we were constantly discussing their freshman Kam Davis, who is considered one of the best players in the Dayton area. But I believe my two freshmen, Maci Ivey and Elaine Wiesenmayer, were the best freshmen on the field. They stepped up big for us in a major game and did not play like freshmen.”

Springboro controlled the attack from the beginning, with the Lady Jackets’ goal to keep the Lady Panthers in front of them, and keep their top players from getting behind the defense.

Sidney was able to get a free ball at the 17-minute mark of the first half, and Emily Wiesenmayer went up against their goalkeeper to challenge the ball and was able to get a deflection and hit it into an open net.

“I told the girls that when we play great teams we have to finish any opportunities that we get,” said Goffena. “Emily was able to make that happen.”

As expected, Springboro kept the pressure on, but Sidney’s defense of Kaitlyn Davis, Ivey, Jenna Foster-Wheeler, Lizzie Barr and Jordyn Page was flawless, according to Goffena.

“They played aggressive and stopped all their attacks,” she said. “Sylvia Hudson (goalie) had a great game in the goal with 15 saves and recorded the only complete shutout of Springboro this season.

“Kaitlyn (Davis) had a huge game for us,” Goffena went on. “She is such a competitor and came (Monday) to get the job done. She was able to take away and deflect so many Springboro opportunites. Springboro’s coach commented after the game that Kaitlyn is a true player and they couldn’t get anything past her all night.

“This was probably one of the greatest wins for the seniors during their careers at Sidney,” Goffena said. “I’m proud of them for getting the job done.”

The Lady Jackets, No. 6 in the latest Miami Valley poll, took a 10-3-1 record into Wednesday’s GWOC North game at Troy.