Hillsboro scores 8 first-half goals; defeats New Lexington in D4 District Quarterfinal
Hillsboro senior Kobie Miles (2) finished the tournament game with four goals. (HCP Photos/Stephen Forsha)
HILLSBORO — Taking only one 40-minute half, the No. 5 seeded Hillsboro Lady Indians defeated the visiting No. 12 seeded New Lexington Lady Panthers by an 8-0 score, ending the Division IV SE District Quarterfinal game with an eight-goal lead going into the second half.
“We got everybody in for our last home game of the season, so that was good that we got everybody on the field and ended on a positive note at home,” HHS head coach Amanda Miller said. “We have been really focusing on passing, spreading out and making the field wider, and finishing shots.
“Hopefully we have reached our point where we are at our peak and are ready to go into the next game focused and go from there.”
The Lady Indians wasted little time scoring goals in their win, as Miles scored Hillsboro’s first two goals at the 36:46 mark and the 29:13 mark of the first half for the 2-0 lead. Miles’ first two goals were assisted by junior Arianna Evans.
Hillsboro’s third goal was scored by Evans at the 28:23 mark of the first half with the assist by senior Meredith Dietrick.
From there, Miles scored her third goal of the match with the scoreboard reading 25:52 for a 4-0 lead by the Lady Indians with the goal assisted by Evans, her third assist of the game.
Next came a goal by sophomore Ella Jordan with the assist by freshman Parker Wilkin, giving the Lady Indians a five-goal advantage.
HHS added a sixth goal of the match as Miles scored her fourth goal with 19:27 remaining in the first half. The goal was assisted by junior Esther Brandyberry.
The final two goals of the match were scored by senior Taylor Thoroman at the 12:59 mark and 7:59 mark of the first half for the final 8-0 lead. Those goals were assisted by sophomore Grace Palmer and Miles.
“Kobie had a great game for us with four goals, and Meredith had her first high school assist,” Miller said. “Arianna had three assists and a goal, Taylor had two goals. Overall, it was a great game for us because of the leadership on the field. There was more talking tonight, and the girls clicked better tonight than they have the past couple games.”
New Lexington had no shots on goal in the match, as NLHS ends their season with a 1-14 overall record.
Next for Hillsboro Lady Indians is a district semifinal game on Monday, Oct. 20 against the No. 4 seeded Gallia Academy Lady Blue Devils at 7 p.m, at Valley High School. GAHS defeated No. 13 seeded South Point by an 8-0 score on Wednesday.