Sports — A little over 2 weeks ago Kalida and Continental matched up in a Putnam County League game where Kalida dominated the action outshooting the Pirates 24-2 in their 4-0 win to claim the title. On Wednesday it was a different story but the same result as the two teams battled for a OHSAA Division III Ottoville District final berth.
The start of the game was action-packed as the Pirates put a shot on goal in the first minute only to be saved by a diving Kalida goalie. A minute later Kalida on a counter-attack hit the top of the goal. After that, action was a little calmer as Kalida controlled the ball most of the first half. Continental’s Maddie Burke did get free for a shot at the 16:00 only to be stopped by another Wildcat goalie diving save. Kalida ended the shutout at the 10:45 mark as a shot across the goal with a wicked spin kicked into the Pirate goal. Wildcats 1, Pirates 0. The Pirates tied it up 6 minutes later as Alex Hoeffel passed to a streaking Kaitlyn Alvarado. Alvarado split three Kalida defenders and then pushed the ball over the Wildcat goalie. Pirates 1, Wildcats 1 at half.
Kalida put in the only goal in the second half as they split the nets at the 25:42 mark that just eluded the Pirate goalie. The Pirates had some chances toward the end of the game but just could not put it across the net.
Kalida outshot Continental 11-5 with goalie Angel Brzozowski making 9 saves.
Pirates season ends with a 9-9-1 record. Kalida moves on with a 10-4-4 record to the District Finals. Kalida lost the District Final on Saturday to Coldwater 2-1.
Pirate Senior Kaitlyn Alvarado made up half of the Pirates high scoring Forward pair. Alvarado closed out her Pirate soccer career by scoring 10 goals in her final four games. It has been a thrill to watch the Pirates and Kaitlyn this year. Good Luck in the future!
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
