Tuesday night a large crowd at Miller City on the West side was willing the Wildcats offense to hit the back of the net while the East hide was hoping that the Pirate defense could survive under the offensive onslaught. Continental fans were on the East side and saw the Pirates shut out the Wildcats. In an OHSAA DV Bluffton District Sectional Final where the #1 seed Miller City was hosting #3 seed Pirates, one was expecting a low scoring affair similar to the Wildcats 1-0 win over the Pirates on route to their PCL Championship. The Wildcats came into the game having scored 57 goals for the season and a 4 game winning streak. The Wildcats were ranked 9 in the latest MAXPrep DV poll while the Pirates ranked 21. Just over 2 minutes was gone in the game when Pirate Maeci Dockery was in the right place at the right time to hit the back of the net. Dockery was part of a mass of humanity near the Wildcat goal along with the ball and was able to get a clear shot from 3 yards out. Pirates 1-0.
A lot happened the rest of the game with the Wildcats controlling the scoring opportunities but the Pirates defense led by Senior Goalie Mackenzie Niese withstood all challenges. The Wildcats had one last chance with a little over a minute to go when a they executed a well placed corner kick only to have Niese make a big save after the ball was touched numerous time. After the keeper punt the Pirates kept the ball down in the Wildcat end and finished the game off with Abby Rue kicking the ball out of bounds with 3 second left. Pirates 1-0 winner.
Maeci Dockery scored the only goal of the game for the Pirates. Mackenzie Niese picked up the shutout in the goal for the Pirates making 5 saves. The Wildcats had a 5-3 advantage on shots on goal and a 7-2 lead on corner kicks.
From Coach Bidlack: It was a great battle by both teams. Our Player of the Game goes to Makenzie Shock who had the assist on the goal and just played a gritty all-around game.
Continental improves 11-4-3 and will travel to Bluffton on Monday night at 5:00 to take on Columbus Grove in a District Semifinal. The Bulldogs advance by defeating Lima Central Catholic 8-0 in a Sectional Final and are coached by CHS alum Alex Hoeffel. Miller City falls to 12-4-2.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
