By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS __The visiting Ada High School girls soccer team scored late to defeat spunky Delphos Jefferson 1-0 Thursday night and stay undefeated.
The Bulldogs ran their win streak to five matches to begin the season, the best start in program history. In 2022, the Ada girls began 4-0 before suffering a losing skid.
Ada improved to 5-0 with the win over their former NWC foe, while DJ fell to 1-3 after the defeat.
The game was scoreless at halftime and remained 0-0 for the first 70-plus minutes.
Bulldog senior Lexi Poling then netted the game’s lone goal on an assist by freshman Avary Acheson with just under 10 minutes remaining.
“It was an off night for us, we just seemed to settle for what was happening instead of making things happen,” said Ada head coach Doug Dewese. “We had a strong first 20 minutes, then started to slow.
”It took a concerted effort from our captains and upperclassmen to get re-organized and push the tempo in the last 20 minutes,” he continued. “I think if we are operating at full tempo, we do much better.”
Poling has tallied four goals in the last two matches for Ada.
“We had excellent games by Alex Gibson and Reese Jordan in our central defense, and some key saves by Emily Gibson,” said Dewese. “This is the first time in program history for a five-game win streak and a 5-0 start, so I can’t complain too much.
“A win is a win, even if it is a little ugly,” he added.
Bulldog freshman keeper Emily Gibson saved six shots in goal to help preserve the shutout.
Ada visits North Central Ohio Soccer Association foe Van Buren (2-2) in the key league opener on Thursday, September 5. The Bulldogs are the only unbeaten team left in pre-season play in the rugged NCOSA.
