Lady Mustangs win district championship
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs are headed to the regional semifinals.
The Lady Mustangs defeated the No. 2 seeded Bishop Rosecrans, 1-0 Saturday at West Muskingum High School to win the SE District championship.
The goal for the No. 1 seeded Lady Mustangs (No. 6 state-ranked) came with 2:14 left in regulation with an unassisted goal from junior Shelby Stewart.
Stewart's goal was from 25 yards out as she raced down the middle of the field.
"We were getting ready for overtime before the goal because it had that feeling," LC coach Dennis West said. "We even pulled a couple starters for a couple minutes' extra rest, but Shelby caught them off-guard and scored the goal.
"It wasn't a streaming line drive kick, but after the goal, we did everything to intercept any ball, and it worked out well for us."
LC this postseason has also defeated Portsmouth West (11-0) and Eastern Brown, (3-0) as LC has outscored their opponents 15-0 in three postseason games.
The Lady Mustangs improve to 18-0-1 with the win. The loss by Bishop Rosecrans ends their season at 16-3-0 overall.
"This was a very close game and was played in the middle of the field for a majority of the game," West said. "We held them to four shots, and one was high and three were stopped.
"Our defense was exceptional. The girls attacked the mid-field and fullback line. We felt good about our defense."
LC out-shot their opponent, 8-4 in the match.
"We had opportunities to score, but we struggled to get a shot off clean," West said. "We kept the pressure on during the game.
"All the girls who were on the field played well, but Sarah Rosselott and Ali Little played exceptionally well. Some of the girls played more in this game than normal, but we had quality play from everyone. Ali guarded their leading scorer and held her to one shot."
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This is the first district championship for LC since the 2005 season, a team that finished 17-1-2 overall. The '05 team reached the regional finals.
"The girls all season have asked myself and my assistant coach Wendy Martin (she played on the 2005 team) about the '05 team and how good they were," West said. "They keep asking about that team and are motivated to get as far as they did.
"When they ask are they as good as that team, we tell them 'we'll know by as far as you go.' But this team has already set the school record for wins in a season and have done well. They are still playing good, quality soccer, and it will carry right on into the next game."
LC will play again on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Bloom-Carroll High School in the Division III Regional Semifinals at 7 p.m. LC will face West Muskingum High School, who were the No. 1 seed in the Zanesville 2 District.
WMHS has defeated St. Clairsville (3-0) and Ironton St. Joseph (7-0), outscoring their postseason opponents, 10-0. WMHS is 12-2-4 overall.
West and his team wanted to thank those who have helped them thus far.
"I want to thank our boosters as they went way far and above to help us out," West said. "They gave the girls a goodie bag with gloves, blankets and scarves … things that came in handy since it was so cold during the game.
"The girls really appreciated it, and I want to thank our parents for feeding the team and getting us ready for the trip and preparing us. Their support has been wonderful. All the help takes the stress off us as coaches, and I want to say thank you."
The Lady Mustangs defeated the No. 2 seeded Bishop Rosecrans, 1-0 Saturday at West Muskingum High School to win the SE District championship.
The goal for the No. 1 seeded Lady Mustangs (No. 6 state-ranked) came with 2:14 left in regulation with an unassisted goal from junior Shelby Stewart.
Stewart's goal was from 25 yards out as she raced down the middle of the field.
"We were getting ready for overtime before the goal because it had that feeling," LC coach Dennis West said. "We even pulled a couple starters for a couple minutes' extra rest, but Shelby caught them off-guard and scored the goal.
"It wasn't a streaming line drive kick, but after the goal, we did everything to intercept any ball, and it worked out well for us."
LC this postseason has also defeated Portsmouth West (11-0) and Eastern Brown, (3-0) as LC has outscored their opponents 15-0 in three postseason games.
The Lady Mustangs improve to 18-0-1 with the win. The loss by Bishop Rosecrans ends their season at 16-3-0 overall.
"This was a very close game and was played in the middle of the field for a majority of the game," West said. "We held them to four shots, and one was high and three were stopped.
"Our defense was exceptional. The girls attacked the mid-field and fullback line. We felt good about our defense."
LC out-shot their opponent, 8-4 in the match.
"We had opportunities to score, but we struggled to get a shot off clean," West said. "We kept the pressure on during the game.
"All the girls who were on the field played well, but Sarah Rosselott and Ali Little played exceptionally well. Some of the girls played more in this game than normal, but we had quality play from everyone. Ali guarded their leading scorer and held her to one shot."
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This is the first district championship for LC since the 2005 season, a team that finished 17-1-2 overall. The '05 team reached the regional finals.
"The girls all season have asked myself and my assistant coach Wendy Martin (she played on the 2005 team) about the '05 team and how good they were," West said. "They keep asking about that team and are motivated to get as far as they did.
"When they ask are they as good as that team, we tell them 'we'll know by as far as you go.' But this team has already set the school record for wins in a season and have done well. They are still playing good, quality soccer, and it will carry right on into the next game."
LC will play again on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at Bloom-Carroll High School in the Division III Regional Semifinals at 7 p.m. LC will face West Muskingum High School, who were the No. 1 seed in the Zanesville 2 District.
WMHS has defeated St. Clairsville (3-0) and Ironton St. Joseph (7-0), outscoring their postseason opponents, 10-0. WMHS is 12-2-4 overall.
West and his team wanted to thank those who have helped them thus far.
"I want to thank our boosters as they went way far and above to help us out," West said. "They gave the girls a goodie bag with gloves, blankets and scarves … things that came in handy since it was so cold during the game.
"The girls really appreciated it, and I want to thank our parents for feeding the team and getting us ready for the trip and preparing us. Their support has been wonderful. All the help takes the stress off us as coaches, and I want to say thank you."