Dogs spoil senior night

 


SPENCERVILLE – Though Spencerville began the day by celebrating their senior class it was visiting Columbus Grove who celebrated last as they topped the Bearcats 2-1 on Tuesday evening.

Before the contest the home team celebrated the careers and accomplishments of senior class members Ariana McMichael, Gillian Goecke, Raigan Staup, and Audrey Sherer with a pregame ceremony.

“Three of our seniors are state track qualifers (McMichael, Goecke, Staup) and are our speed. That trio has scored all of our goals this season. Our fourth senior (Sherer) was added as a starting outside back two years ago as the only starting defender we have that has played high school soccer before, she is picking things up very well after a year off” spoke Kathy Goecke of her senior class.

Once the game got started it was clear that it would be the team to establish their style of game that would come away with the victory and that as it turned out was the Bulldogs.

Last season the Bearcats reached the regional round of tournament play but are a much different ground this season as head coach Kathy Goecke explained: “We are still adjusting to players new to soccer and finding positions for them after losing seven starters from last season as well as battling injuries and attendance.”

Following a scoreless first half it was the Bulldogs who dented the scoreboard first as they worked for a tough follow up shot by Kierstan Closson to take a 1-0 lead.

Although the Bearcats may not have the overall speed from last season they raced through the defense with 15:02 remaining to tie the game as senior Gillian Goecke fired a shot past Grove’s Gwen Langhals to tie the score at 1-1.

Columbus Grove scored their second goal of the night on a lead to junior Savanah Ridenour that was quickly booted into the back of the net with just 8:47 remaining for a 2-1 advantage that would hold up for the victory.

The Bulldogs move to 4-3 on the season and have won every other game they have played through their first seven contests. Next up for Columbus Grove is a matchup with Lima Senior on Monday before a pair of games to follow with a trip to Fort Jennings on Tuesday, and a date with Bluffton on Thursday next week.

Spencerville has now lost three straight contests since their season opening win over Miller City and will travel to Anna for a Thursday evening contest with the WOSL leading Rockets.

Goals:

2nd half:

22:51 – Columbus Grove: Kierstan Closson

15:02 – Spencerville:        Gillian Goecke

8:47 – Columbus Grove:  Savanah Ridenour










 

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