COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kirtland girls soccer’s return trip to the OHSAA Division III state championship game started off with a 0-0 tie at the half despite constant pressure from Cincinnati Country Day.
But the Hornets could not hold off the Indians and gave up three goals in the second half to lose, 3-0, on Friday at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus.
Cincinnati Country Day (20-2-0) had 31 total shots to seven for Kirtland (20-3-0). Goals from Jada Moorman and two more from Kate Brock were too much to overcome.
“They’re a very good team from top to bottom,” Kirtland coach Edward Bradac said. “We just needed a little bit of luck I think in that first half when we had a couple free kicks in a good spot. I think that would’ve helped.”
The Indians dominated possession in the first half and kept Kirtland to just three shots. Two of them were on free kicks early in the half. But Kirtland goalkeeper Corinne Aquila played well, making six saves and keeping the Hornets in the game.
In the 50th minute, a blocked shot led to Moorman taking the ball in the box and curling a shot just inside the far post to give CCD a 1-0 lead.
Kirtland still had a great quality chance to come back in the 70th minute with a free kick just outside the CCD box. Following a blocked shot and a foul, the Indians doubled their lead on Brock's first of the match.
"It was a messy goal. That's a hard one, obviously, because we're looking to tie it at 1-1," Bradac said. "Then to give up the second goal, it's a tough goal to concede."
Brock added her second in the 72nd minute to finish off the scoring.
CCD spent most of the match with the ball in Kirtland’s half, which kept the Hornets from taking control of the game. It didn’t result in any goals until early in the second half.
“I thought if we just kept putting pressure on them, we’d put it in the back of the net,” Cincinnati Country Day coach Theresa Hirschauer said. “We didn’t really make any adjustments. We just wanted to come out, be aggressive and that’s sort of been our motto — be fast, be aggressive — the whole tournament.”
The Hornets were in the state championship game for the second year in a row. They lost, 4-0, to Cincinnati Summit Country Day last season.
“I think this second time back, I think it’s a little more painful for the girls,” Bradac said. “I think that shows the drive. They will, without a doubt want to be back again next year.
“I’m incredibly proud of our girls because they battled the entire 80 minutes of this game. I’m incredibly proud of them.”
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