Monday night OSHAA Girls Soccer DV Bluffton District Semifinal saw Continental ranked 22 in the MAXPrep Poll taking on Columbus Grove ranked 12. The Bulldogs were co- champs of the Putnam County League with a 4-0-1 record while the Pirates were third with a 3-2 record. The Pirates had defeated PCL co-champ Miller City in the Sectional final. The Bulldogs had taken the PCL game 3-2. Those who attended last Tuesday’s game between #3 seed Continental and #1 seed Miller City, the start of the OHSAA DV Bluffton District Semifinal was eerily the same as the Pirates came out early to take a 1-0. Against the Wildcats the Pirates were able to hold the lead and claim the victory.
Continental got on the board early as Morgan Dockery made a crossing pass that evaded the goalie and found Makenzie Shock for the score. Pirates 1-0 less than 5 minutes into the game. Unlike Tuesday, the Bulldogs were able to match the Pirates goal 5 minutes later as their forward dribbled down the field and split the Pirate defenders to get off a shot that found the back of the net. 1 all tie. The score stayed knotted till 16:47 left in the game as the Bulldogs executed a free kick from the 40 into the upper corner of the goal to take a 2-1 lead. The Bulldogs put in an insurance goal with 12:54 left when a crossing pass went around the Pirate goalie and found a Bulldog to kick it in. The Pirates then changed up their lineup bringing Senior Breece Prowant forward from her defensive poition to join fellow seniors Morgan Dockery and Makenzie Shock. That change up did not yield any goals but lots of opportunities and excitement to the end. Bulldogs 3-1 winner.
Makenzie Shock scored the only goal for the Pirates while Morgan Dockery picked up the assist. Mackenzie Niese picked up the loss in goal for the Pirates.
The Pirates finish the season at 11-5-3. Columbus Grove improves to 14-2-2 and will take on Delphos Jefferson in a District Final on Wednesday.
The Bulldogns, coached by CHS alum Alex Hoeffel will compete at the Regional Semi-Final Game -vs- Mansfield Christian on Tuesday (10/28) at 7:00pm at Edison Schools in Milan.
Congratulations to Seniors Olivia Crossgrove, Morgan Dockery, Mackenzie Niese, Breece Prowant, Makenzie Shock, and Ella Siefer on a well played season and a Sectional title. Good luck Seniors in your future endeavors!
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
