Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
CENTERVILLE — Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.
Way back in June, Minford embarked on a quest to win the program’s first-ever district championship. The journey ended on Tuesday with the Falcons walking off the pitch as the most decorated team in school history.
Although the Falcons’ try for a state title ended with a 4-1 loss to Madeira in a Division V state semifinal, history has already been made.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
Minford ends its season at 18-3 with SOC II, district and regional championships under its belt.
“They didn’t quit. [Madeira] is a juggernaut,” Minford coach Shane Tieman said. “They’ve only had like eight goals scored on them all year long. We had a couple of unlucky bounces, a couple where legs got tangled and that stuff happens. But overall, we played with them. I’m just so proud of these girls. They didn’t quit until the whistle blew. I’m just proud of this group of seniors and these underclassmen.”
Madeira (19-1-2) thought it had an early goal, but was whistled for offsides in the opening five minutes. However, 10 minutes later, the whistle turned out to be the Mustangs’ friend.
Minford was called for a foul in the box, and on the ensuing penalty kick, keeper Addison Lemon made the save. But unfortunately, off the ricochet, Natasha Davis raced to the ball and tipped it into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, the Mustangs connected again as Lily Nex crossed into the box and found Evelyn Kerry for a goal, making it a 2-0 lead.
However, Minford finally got a chance to swing momentum and took advantage of it.
Off a free kick, Maggie Risner sent a low laser right past the keeper and into the back of the net to make it 2-1, a score that remained at halftime.
“I told the girls at halftime, I said, ‘Girls, we scored a team that basically hasn’t been scored on.’ We were in this game. So I told them to just play hard,” Tieman said. “We made some adjustments but [Madeira] is a state championship team. I have a feeling that they’re going to win it all.”
With the wind at their backs in the second half — an element that was a factor all night long — the Mustangs used it to their advantage.
They challenged Lemon early, but the sophomore was right there at every turn and came up with four early saves to keep the game at 2-1.
But with less than 25 minutes left, Madeira’s Anna Comejo played the wind and took a shot that took a perfect bounce into the net, making it 3-1.
Minutes later, Anna Comejo took a shot that bounced off a Minford defender and skipped across the goal line, effectively putting the dagger into the Falcons’ season.
“What didn’t this group accomplish? They learned how to play real soccer, they were multi-dimensional, they know their soccer IQ and decision-making is really high, and they played with grit,” Tieman said. “That’s the biggest thing. There’s no quit in this team. They’ve established a legacy and a precedent of the work that we need to have to get to this level. They’ve shown that it’s possible for a little team out of Muletown to get to the Final 4.”
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
While the Falcons now look towards the future, they’re forced to say goodbye to a senior class that’s seen more than its fair share of success.
“This class has been so competitive,” Tieman said. “I think they were competitive when they were potty training. They competed with each other, they compete with the boys, and they don’t like to lose. That competitive spirit is really refreshing. They play hard, they play tough, but at the same time, they’re not selfish. They’re very encouraging and they want everyone to do well. That’s their big thing. Replacing them … it’s going to be tough.”
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