SIDNEY — Rarely at the end of a tournament game do you see both coaches feeling positive
But that was exactly the case after the top seeded Lehman girls soccer team got past a scrappy Troy Christian team that was seeded seventh 2-1 in Division 3 sectional final action at Sidney Memorial Stadium Monday night.
And with good reason.
Lehman, 13-4-1, moves on to play Cincinnati Country Day at 7 p.m. Thursday at Monroe High School for a district title.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game,” Lehman coach Jeremy Lorenzo said. “We had tied earlier this year. Brian (Peters) is a great coach and does a phenomenal job preparing his team. Anytime we go up against them, we know it is going to be a tough game. They put together two great games in the tournament to get here.”
Troy Christian ended the season at 9-8-2.
All the scoring occurred late in the first half, with Kaitrin O’Leary scoring both Lehman goals.
With about 18 minutes to go, Hannah Fogt had fired a free kick from 42 yards that only a leaping tip by Troy keeper Cara Salazar kept out of the goal.
At the 13:40 mark, O’Leary fired a shot that Salazar again was able to deflect, giving Lehman a corner. Grace Olding sent the corner out to the 30-yard line, where Moriah Pauley gave O’Leary a ball in front of the goal that she headed in to make it 1-0.
“That is a set piece we work on all the time,” Lorenzo said. “Moriah sends it into the mixer and Kaitrin was able to get a head on it.”
Later, Olding and Grace Monnin worked the ball down the field before crossing to O’Leary, who maneuvered around a defender and found the net with 6:48 to go in the half.
“We always talk to the kids about stepping up and Kaitrin did that tonight,” he said.
Lehman was originally called for offsides on the play, but it was waived off.
Just when it seemed Lehman was in control, Troy Christian responded just a minute later. After working the ball down the field, Kenley Blake crossed to Riley Spoltman, who put the ball in the back of the net.
“We are up 2-0 and feeling like we are in control,” Lorenzo said. “Then just like that, the lead was cut in half. I’m not sure what happened, but they got a wide open shot and hit it.”
And while Lehman controlled the ball most of the second half, there was a deciding moment. With 11:54 to go, Lehman keeper Grace Brandt deflected a shot off the goal post, which is out of play. When the ball came down in front of the goal, Troy Christian put it in and the Lady Eagle fans thought the game was tied.
“I don’t think it was as exciting as it looked,” Lorenzo said. “The ball hit the goal post. Our kids knew it and quit and Troy Christian kept playing.”
Still, the Eagles had a corner kick and Benjamin placed it perfectly in front of the goal, but Lehman was able to clear the ball.
It was the final opportunity for the Eagles. Lehman controlled the ball much of the rest of the way.
Lehman outshot Troy Christian 12-6. Salazar had seven saves, while Brandt had five.
Now, Lehman moves on to play Cincinnati Country Day.
“It should be a really good game,” Lorenzo said. “Cincinnati Country Day’s only loss is to Summit (Country Day), who also beat us.”
And Lorenzo hopes the ending will be another one to be excited about.
