Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LUCASVILLE – After causing havoc throughout a scoreless first half, it didn’t take long for Wheelersburg’s Ella Hochstetler to finally light up the scoreboard on Tuesday.
With 35:46 to play, Hochstetler took a pass from senior Mia Vastine about 25 yards from the goal, before driving hard down the right side and ripping a low, right-footed shot into the left corner of the net.
Hochstetler’s score started an avalanche of scoring as Wheelersburg (16-2) earned its way into a Division IV district championship game.
CREDIT: Sam Walsh/SOSA
Freshman Ella McGraw added to the score with 27:29 remaining in the second half, off of an assist from Makenzie Mullens. McGraw took a pass on the left side of the box before cutting back towards the middle and scorching the net with a right-footed blast from 15 yards out.
“It’s amazing. [McGraw and Hochstetler] are so great getting to the ball. I just know they’re always going to be where I need them to be,” Vastine said. “They make those great runs and they’re just always super-skilled. I’m so lucky to have them this year.”
Hochstetler continued the Pirates’ push with her second goal at the 24:55 mark, taking a loose ball around 30 yards out before dribbling towards the box and scoring, pushing the lead to 3-0.
Even after an own goal gave the Indians (11-8-1) a bit of life late in the game, a final flurry from Hochstetler, McGraw and Vastine slammed the door shut on Hillsboro.
McGraw scored her second of the night with 7:19 to play off a pass from Vastine, after a ridiculous spin move by the senior near the top of the box.
“It’s nice to know you can have someone you trust pass to you,” McGraw said of Vastine. “Those through balls that we get, that’s how we can get to the goal and counter. It’s just really great to have that on the team.”
Hochstetler finished off her hat trick with 5:56 to go and added a fourth with 3:01 to play, both assisted by Vastine as well, giving her four assists on the night.
“I truly could not have [scored] by myself,” Hochstetler said. “We’ve just been working so hard, whether that be together or not. We’ve just been working so hard.”
With both teams entering the game with dynamic offenses, it was expected to be a high scoring contest. But due to standout play from both goalkeepers, it was 0-0 after the opening stanza.
Through the scoreless opening 40 minutes of play, Hillsboro’s Phoebe Holland was outstanding, notching eight saves including two of the diving variety. Not to be outdone though, Wheelersburg’s Krista Williams had three stops of her own in far less attempts, with a diving parry of her own in the final minute of the first half to maintain the tie.
The Pirates controlled most of the opening half, led by Hochstetler on the right flank. The super sophomore pushed Hillsboro’s defenders with her speed and strength, but Holland was there time after time to shut down the attack.
Late in the half, Hillsboro made multiple pushes towards the Pirates’ backline, behind the trio of Kobie Miles, Peighton Bledsoe and Ella Jordan, with Jordan coming the closest to scoring as her shot with five minutes to play in the half glanced off the crossbar before being cleared away.
Along with Williams playing at a high level in the goal for the Pirates, the defense of Layni Greenhill, Izzy Darnell, Laynah Kiser, Breckyn Bivens and Ava Artrip kept the Indians’ attack at bay.
Hillsboro entered the contest scoring nearly four goals per game, but the Pirates smothered nearly every advancement that Hillsboro put together before their offense began to find footing in the second half.
With the Pirates out to a 3-0 lead, Hillsboro didn’t let up, eventually securing a corner kick with just under 16 minutes to play.
Sophomore Arianna Evans sent in the cross, which was deflected off a Pirate defender into the net with 15:45 to play to cut the lead to 3-1. But, the final burst from the Pirates hushed any thoughts of a rally.
While Hillsboro’s season comes to an end, Wheelersburg advances to a Division IV district final at 7 p.m., Thursday at Valley.
The Pirates will meet with Alexander, a 2-1 winner over McClain.
“Our goal this year, we want to win the district [title],” McGraw said. “We want to work towards that and we’re willing to put our everything into doing that.”
Scoring Summary
2nd Half
35:46 – Wheelersburg: Ella Hochstetler (assist to Mia Vastine)
27:29 – Wheelersburg: Ella McGraw (Makenzie Mullens)
24:55 – Wheelersburg: Hochstetler
15:45 – Hillsboro: Own Goal (credited to Arianna Evans)
7:19 – Wheelersburg: McGraw (Vastine)
5:56 – Wheelersburg: Hochstetler (Vastine)
3:01 – Wheelersburg: Hochstetler (Vastine)
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