Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
LOGAN — What started as its first district title in school history has turned into so much more than Minford could have ever dreamed of.
The Falcons are now in the Final 4.
Behind a stout defense, led by keeper Addi Lemon, and a late, timely goal from Lexi Conkel, the Falcons earned a 1-0 victory over Grandview Heights on Saturday, claiming their first regional title in school history.
“Legacy, that’s what this means. Who knows if we’ll ever have another chance to get back. Maybe next year, maybe never, but we’re here now,” Minford coach Shane Tieman said. “I started coaching 11 years ago, and we started building then through youth league with these girls as little kids. We’d add a little more every single year and it all culminated today. This is really a dream come true.”
Grandview Heights (14-4-3) spent the first half getting by the Falcons’ defense, but couldn’t sneak anything past Addi Lemon.
Showcasing her soccer IQ, she perfectly timed when to leave the net, stayed calm in adverse moments and came up with five huge saves throughout the first half.
Although Minford only managed two shots, Lemon was a wall in the goal and kept the game scoreless at halftime.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
“She’s one of the best goalies I’ve ever seen, and she doesn’t get a ton of credit because how good our offense has been alongside the fact we’ve only given up 20 goals all season,” Tieman said. “It’s our goal every night to make her have the most boring game of her life, but we know in the face of adversity, she’s going to come through every time. Even in practice she hates giving up goals, and for her being a sophomore, she’s really special.”
Minford (18-2) was forced to focus on defense throughout the first half, and for the opening 12 minutes of the second.
But in the 57th minute, it finally had its chance.
Ava Cronin sent a perfect pass upfield, finding Conkel with nothing but space in front of her. She turned on the burners, got into the box and sent a laser into the back of the net to put the Falcons ahead 1-0.
From that moment on, Minford went back to focusing on defense.
Despite the Bobcats applying heavy pressure throughout the final 25 minutes, the Falcons held firm behind Lemon, punching their first-ever Final 4 ticket.
“In games like this, you only get a couple breaks and we were fortunate that we capitalized on our chance,” Tieman said. “The girls absolutely played their guts out, the way a regional championship game should be. It was halftime, and I told the girls not to panic because it’s 0-0. We’re a second half team and our defense usually gets stronger as the game goes. These girls are a unit and to say I’m proud is an understatement.”
Minford advances to a Division V state semifinal on Tuesday at Centerville High School against Cincinnati Maderia, who defeated Xenia Legacy Christian to advance.
The contest’s start time is to be determined.
“We have to continue to keep swinging, whether we’re up 7-0 or down 7-0 and playing our brand of soccer,” Tieman said. “But at the same point, we also have to soak up every moment and enjoy it.”
SPONSORED BY GLOCKNER FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS
