District Girls Soccer: Miller's goal lifts Findlay
By DAVE HANNEMAN
STAFF WRITER
Ashley Miller is hoping to earn an athletic scholarship to play soccer in college.
After her heads-up play in Saturday's 1-0 district final win over Lexington, whoever signs her may want to tack something on for academics as well.
I didn't stop. I just kept going after it, Miller said of her second game-winning goal in the district.
Miller seized the opportunity on a long, looping lob into the Lexington box. Goalie Courtney Linger easily made the play on the kick, and was under no real pressure with Findlay already backpedaling on defense.
But Linger dropped the ball, and when she did Miller swooped in. The senior forward knocked the ball free and had a wide-open net to convert the game's only goal.
There was some discussion among officials and coaches after the goal, but only as a matter of explanation.
I think it was a good call, said Lexington coach Bob Juengst. She didn't have possession of the ball, and if you don't control it's a free ball.
If the goalkeeper has their hands on the ball, or possession of the ball, you can't kick it loose, said interim FHS coach Mark Laux.
We benefitted from the referee's interpretation. It was a tough call. You hope the outcome is decided by the game of soccer. (But) sometimes games are effected by a call, or a non-call.
Findlay improved to 12-5-1 and won its first district championship since 2006. The Trojans will face either Toledo St. Ursula or Sylvania Northview 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Division I regional semifinals at Ottawa Hills.
Lexington's season ended at 12-5-3.
While Miller's goal won it for the Trojans, both teams left a number of opportunities on the field on an overcast, blustery day at Elmer Graham Stadium.
In the first half, Linger had one Findlay shot dribble through her legs. She slowed the ball enough, however, to grab it before it crossed the goal line. The teams played on after a no-call on a penalty in the Lexington box and Miller and Jessie Blair missed opportunities when their shots from out front both went just high.
Lexington, which outshot Findlay 9-4, had its chances as well. Kelsie Browning had a point-blank shot at the 14:30 mark of the second half, but her kick went straight to goalie Shannon Mills. Jaclyn Rourke also had a chance with 5:31 left. But her one-touch shot off a high lob went off the cross bar.
We had enough opportunities. We just didn't make the play, Juengst said of the Minutemen, a young team that overcame an 0-3-2 start to reach the district finals.
Mills made eight saves to post her sixth straight shutout, three of them in tournament play. Paige Madden led the defense with 16 intercepts, Maricella Hernandez had 13, and Becky Shank had 12 intercepts and two steals.
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