By Cort Reynolds
INDIAN LAKE - The Ada girls soccer team kicked off its 2019 season at Indian Lake Friday evening with a 5-2 defeat.
"We started out very slow," said third-year Ada head coach Doug Poling. "The first half was disappointing."
IL opened up a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game with the first goal. Ada was later called for a hand ball in the box, and the Lakers extended the lead to 2-0 with a successful penalty kick.
IL stretched the advantage to 3-0 when they capitalized on a run down the sideline for another score.
Ada senior Katie Butterfield tallied the first Bulldog goal of the season shortly before halftime on a rebound shot that cut the deficit to 3-1.
But IL answered by putting a corner kick untouched into the back of the net just before intermission to build a 4-1 cushion.
Ada pulled within 4-2 when Butterfield netted her second goal off a crossing pass from senior Ella Poling.
The improved Bulldog defensive effort kept IL off the scoreboard in the second half until the final minutes, when the hosts added one more goal.
"We were a different team at the start of the second half," said Poling. "We kept the ball on their side of the field most of the second half. They had a tough time generating any offense until the last five minutes."
Butterfield scored both Ada goals, while Poling passed out one assist. Senior keeper Kenzie Long made six saves in goal.
"We have to find a way to start games ready to play," Poling offered. "We were a completely different team after the first half."
Ada hosts county rival Kenton Wednesday, August 21 at 5 p.m. in the home opener.
