Lady Mustangs, Lady Lions each score 2 goals in rivalry match

DODSONVILLE — When two Highland County rivals square off on the soccer field with positioning in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference at stake, the games mean just a little bit more, and competitiveness jumps up a level or two.

That was the case on Wednesday at LCHS when the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs hosted the Fairfield Lady Lions, as the score ended tied at 2-2 after 80 minutes of action. 

“It was a physical game, and this is the first time I feel confident in saying we finally got the girls playing the way we want them to,” LCHS head coach Dennis West said. “If you don’t play physical soccer in Ohio, you aren’t going anywhere in the tournament. It is just that simple.

“We learned that 20 years ago. The first four years I coached the girls, we found out that if you don’t play physical soccer, you will be there for one game, maybe two, then you will be worrying about next year. We have been trying to do better about that, and tonight I felt they did.”

The two teams battled at Lynchburg-Clay High School, on LC’s senior night, and both Fairfield goals were scored by junior Landyn Hodson, while Lynchburg-Clay’s goals were scored by sophomore Brystal McClain — with the assist by junior Lily Ferguson — and there was an own goal knocked in by Fairfield that went in favor of the Lady Mustangs. 

“It was a little frustrating in the first half. It was a decent start, but once the own goal happened, it just kind of threw everything into disarray, and we need to have more mental fortitude on that one,” FHS head coach Jacob Alexander said. “The second goal allowed, we had a player creeping over too far, left the backside open and they scored.

“The second half was much better effort and much better execution. Landyn Hodson had both goals, and she put in the work, and it helped today.”

One of Hodson’s goals was assisted by freshman Daphnie Zink. 
 
The two goals for LCHS were scored in the first half, while both of Fairfield’s goals came in the second half. 

“We were back on our heels most of the second half, and we kept trying different people, but we couldn't get that breakaway speed,” West said. “Lily (Ferguson) is a major part of our offense, and we have others that can complement her, but if you don’t have that one speedy person up front, it is going to be very difficult to put the ball in the net, and we found that out tonight.”

Fairfield senior keeper Meri Jackson had one save, while Lynchburg-Clay senior keeper Savannah Bell had nine saves. 

“It is great to have Meri Jackson back at goal, and Viv (Vivian Henninger) worked really hard,” Alexander said. “She got abused in this game, so we will get cleaned up and iced up for the next game.”

The Lady Lions totaled 15 shots in the match (nine shots on goal), while the Lady Mustangs had three shots on the night. 

The tie sent Fairfield’s overall record to 7-3-3 with a SHAC record of 3-1-2. The Lady Mustangs moved to 5-7-2 overall following the tie with a SHAC record of 2-2-1.