By Cort Reynolds
The Ada High School girls soccer team recorded one of the biggest regular season wins in program history Thursday night, September 21.
The visiting Bulldogs rallied from a 2-0 deficit to upset Upper Sandusky 4-2 in a North Central Ohio Soccer Association match.
With the signature victory, Ada’s overall record improved to 5-3-2 and 1-1-1 in NCOSA action.
Upper Sandusky fell to 8-2 overall and 1-2 in NCOSA play with the defeat.
Ada senior Ella Marshall netted two goals and passed out an assist to pace the victors. One of her goals came on a penalty kick.
Senior Olivia Burkhart and junior Lexi Poling tallied the other Bulldog goals.
Burkhart also dealt one assist, as did Kenley Poling.
US led 2-0 when Ada scored late in the first half to pull within 2-1 at intermission. The Bulldogs rode that momentum to dominate the second half, 3-0.
“We came out on a mission in the second half and put three more goals in, and shut them out in the second half,” said Bulldog head coach Doug Dewese.
“This was a defining win for this team,” he continued. “It shows what we are capable of when we play to our full potential.”
Bulldog senior keeper Katie Sizemore saved 26 shots in goal. “Katie had a lights-out second half in goal, making some phenomenal saves,” said Dewese.
“Karley Wagner was a dominant force in midfield. Ella Marshall, Olivia Burkhart and Lexi Poling did their jobs and put the ball in the back of the net,” he went on.
“Our back line of Kailey Wagner, Alex Gibson, Jordyn Smith and Reese Jordan played almost a full 80 minutes and killed Upper’s attacks at the end of the game,” Dewese added.
The second-year Ada head coach was almost overwhelmed by the win.
“Upper has only lost two games, we played banged-up on grass not turf, and yet we overcame a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2,” Dewese enthused. “To be honest, this team just gave this coach the kind of win that sticks with you for a long, long time.
“I can’t explain how proud I am of what we did as a team tonight,” he noted.
Ada (1-2 NWC) plays at first-place rival and defending league champion Bluffton (4-0 NWC) Tuesday, September 26 at 6:45 p.m. on the pitch of Steinmetz Field.
The Pirate girls (7-4-1) beat second-place Allen East 3-2 in a showdown for the top of the NWC standings earlier this week, but lost 7-0 at undefeated Ottawa-Glandorf Thursday.
