Two early Wildcats goals proved to be the difference on Wednesday as Kalida High Boys Soccer claimed a OHSAA Division III Kalida District Final spot against Continental. The Pirates had an excellent chance to take the early lead when a shot by Andrew Hoeffel and a follow up by Rhenn Armey was denied by the Kalida goalie just under 2 minutes into the contest. The Wildcats would take a 1-0 lead just under 5 minutes into the game when they placed a corner kick in front of the goal area that was headed to the corner of the goal and was nudged across the goal line. A great diving save by Pirate Keeper Konnor Knipp Williams with a Wildcat falling over him kept the score 1-0 Wildcats 17 minutes into the game. Less than 20 seconds later the Wildcats would convert on a shot from the 18 to make it 2-0 Wildcats. Less than 2 minutes later (21:07 left in the half) Rhenn Armey would cut the Wildcat lead in half by converting a penalty kick. That was all the scoring action in the half. Wildcats 2-1.
The second half started with the Pirates almost making the tying goal when Wyatt Davis had the ball near the goal line and kicked the ball over the Wildcat defenders where Rhenn Armey’s bicycle kick would hit the top of the goal post. A couple of great saves by Konnor Knipp Williams kept the game close but the Pirates would not convert the tying goal to extend the game. Kalida 2-1 final.
Rhenn Armey had the goal for the Pirates while Konnor Knipp Williams was the goalie of record.
The Pirates season ends at 15-2-1 with a Sectional and Putnam County League Championship. Kalida improves to 10-6-3 and will face Ottoville in the District finals on Saturday. The Pirates were #1 seed, Ottoville #2, Kalida #4. Ottoville advanced to the District final with a 2-0 win over #5 seed Spencerville.
A strong Senior class helped the Pirates rewrite many of the school records this year. Congratulations and good luck in future endeavors to Pirate Seniors Wyatt Davis, Andrew Hoeffel, Gavin Huff, Elijah Mayes, Dominick Moore, Hunter Rue, Alex Sharrits, Dalys Tice, and Brayden Wooten.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
