FC girls soccer – Dramatic win sends team to finals

October 12, 2022 at 1:54 p.m.
FC girls soccer – Dramatic win sends team to finals
FC girls soccer – Dramatic win sends team to finals

By Will Fehlinger-

AURORA – Although the Lawrenceburg Lady Tigers were just too much for the Franklin County girls to handle Saturday afternoon in the championship round, the 2022 girls soccer sectional at South Dearborn will live on for the Lady Wildcats and coaches involved.

Thursday night against the Madison Lady Cubs, the Wildcats won the semifinal contest in memorable fashion - a sudden-death second session of overtime penalty kicks. 

Following 80 minutes of scoreless action in regulation and two more zeroes posted in a pair of 7-minute overtime periods, PKs would decide who was to move on to the finals. The Cubs and Cats were still even after five girls from each side posted a 3-3 score. 

Madesyn Sunderhaus' shot went sailing over the crossbar, meaning the Cubs could win if captain Bridget Cline could connect. But her attempt was tipped up and over the bar by senior goalkeeper Maegan Pearson. Sophomore Audrey Weaver stepped up and nailed the go-ahead goal. To keep her team alive, Breck Ralston sent a shot toward Pearson; the latter swatted it away to her left and waited for her teammates to run across the field and mug her in goal.

In the initial PK session, senior Bethany Melugin made it 1-0 in favor of the Cats. Captain Molly Armbrecht tied it for Madison. Senior Dani Bulach's kick was good to make it 2-1. A freshman, Kyla Ayler, tied it up again. Senior Erica Weaver's shot glanced off the crossbar, leaving the score at 2-2.

With a chance to go ahead, MHS' Lilli Sullivan's shot was deflected by Pearson. The next two shots, from FC's sophomore Kylee Bolser and the Cubs' Casey Dyer, were both over the bar. Pearson then came out from goal to knock one in to the keeper's left. Captain Iyana Phelps tied the session at 3.

LHS won the final match 9-0, adding big time to a 3-0 halftime lead. The Tigers' first goal came at 32:36 when Preslee Rugg hit a left-footer just under Pearson's feet. Midway through the half, a cross by Lillia Miller touched the crossbar and bounced to a waiting Rugg for a 2-0 lead. At 6:43, Elle McMullen hit a 15-yarder.

Sunderhaus had FC's lone shot at goal.

Other seniors moving on are Lily Knapp, Paige Ashcraft, Makinzee Bradley, Karlee Roberts, Madison Merritt, Felicity Bohman, Lauren Seibert and Savannah Williams.

AURORA – Although the Lawrenceburg Lady Tigers were just too much for the Franklin County girls to handle Saturday afternoon in the championship round, the 2022 girls soccer sectional at South Dearborn will live on for the Lady Wildcats and coaches involved.

Thursday night against the Madison Lady Cubs, the Wildcats won the semifinal contest in memorable fashion - a sudden-death second session of overtime penalty kicks. 

Following 80 minutes of scoreless action in regulation and two more zeroes posted in a pair of 7-minute overtime periods, PKs would decide who was to move on to the finals. The Cubs and Cats were still even after five girls from each side posted a 3-3 score. 

Madesyn Sunderhaus' shot went sailing over the crossbar, meaning the Cubs could win if captain Bridget Cline could connect. But her attempt was tipped up and over the bar by senior goalkeeper Maegan Pearson. Sophomore Audrey Weaver stepped up and nailed the go-ahead goal. To keep her team alive, Breck Ralston sent a shot toward Pearson; the latter swatted it away to her left and waited for her teammates to run across the field and mug her in goal.

In the initial PK session, senior Bethany Melugin made it 1-0 in favor of the Cats. Captain Molly Armbrecht tied it for Madison. Senior Dani Bulach's kick was good to make it 2-1. A freshman, Kyla Ayler, tied it up again. Senior Erica Weaver's shot glanced off the crossbar, leaving the score at 2-2.

With a chance to go ahead, MHS' Lilli Sullivan's shot was deflected by Pearson. The next two shots, from FC's sophomore Kylee Bolser and the Cubs' Casey Dyer, were both over the bar. Pearson then came out from goal to knock one in to the keeper's left. Captain Iyana Phelps tied the session at 3.

LHS won the final match 9-0, adding big time to a 3-0 halftime lead. The Tigers' first goal came at 32:36 when Preslee Rugg hit a left-footer just under Pearson's feet. Midway through the half, a cross by Lillia Miller touched the crossbar and bounced to a waiting Rugg for a 2-0 lead. At 6:43, Elle McMullen hit a 15-yarder.

Sunderhaus had FC's lone shot at goal.

Other seniors moving on are Lily Knapp, Paige Ashcraft, Makinzee Bradley, Karlee Roberts, Madison Merritt, Felicity Bohman, Lauren Seibert and Savannah Williams.

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