By Cort Reynolds
The Ada High School girls soccer team won their season opener decisively 9-0 over Lima Senior Friday evening at Spartan Stadium.
The Lady Bulldog kickers built a sizeable 7-0 lead by halftime and cruised to victory in the successful debut of their new head coach.
"We played tough and opened up quick with a fast goal by Ella Marshall," said first-year Ada mentor Doug Dewese.
"It was a good season-opener to build confidence, but we still have work to do," he said. "The second half gave us an opportunity to play players at different positions and give other girls opportunities to score.
"We had excellent games by girls on and off the scoresheet. Ella Marshall gave us a hat trick, and Olivia Burkhart was great with assists.
"Jenna Rodrigues had a great game off the bench and deserves a special nod for her efforts and hard work," he added.
Sophomore Lexi Poling scored two goals and shared a shutout in goal with new junior keeper Katie Sizemore. Junior Marshall netted three goals and dished out two assists.
Junior ace Burkhart scored a goal and dealt out a pair of assists. Sophomore Karley Wagner, junior Karmen Hall and lone senior Ella Badertscher each tallied a goal.
Junior Kiah Hefner doled out one assist.
"It's always good to get that initial win," said Dewese. "It sets a confidence level in the players and helps get them to buy in more to the program, especially for a first-year coach like me.
"It breaks the ice, takes the edge off and hopefully loosens them up for the upcoming season. It's especially nice when you win big and get scoring opportunities for other girls and get a lot of playing time for your bench players," he added.
Ada (1-0) next plays Saturday, August 20 at 5 p.m. in its home opener vs. Tiffin Columbian. The game will also be held in conjunction with the Ada Youth Soccer Association and Alumni recognition night.
