CLYDE — The third time is a charm; that was the theme for the Ottoville Big Green boys soccer team Saturday as the Big Green took on the Kindron Central Christian Comets in the Division III state regional finals.
Ottoville was appearing at the regional finals for the third year in a row. In the previous two, it fell just short of the state semifinals.
However, the saying rang true for the Big Green as Alex Leis took a rebounded shot for the lone goal in the first half to give Ottoville the 1-0 victory and send them to the state semifinals for the first time in school history.
“Alex, he’s had a few of those this year; right place right time,” Ottoville coach Dustin Markward said. “We stressed that since we started playing in district finals you know like it doesn’t matter how the goal happens, just put it in the back the net.”
The Big Green controlled field position early. Comets goal keeper Bryon Martin turned away several Ottoville attempts in the first 20-plus minutes before Leis punched the bounce into the back of the net with 15:45 on the clock to give the Big Green the 1-0 lead.
“I forget what happened but I think it was a cross and it just came back down, and it just luckily went past the keeper,” Leis said.
Ottoville pummeled the Comet keeper early in the contest with its first chance coming off of a Preston Mansfield attempt less than a minute into the match. Less than five minutes later another opportunity presented itself from 10 yards out, but the delivery went over the crossbar, keeping it a scoreless tie.
A KCC foul at the 32:21 mark in the first half gave the Big Green another scoring chance, but again the kick sailed high; Ottoville continued its onslaught towards the Kidron Central net, but to no avail until Leis finally broke through.
“The first half I thought we came out played really well,” Markward said. “We had a lot of chances and watching the team that we played today their last game it felt like we could take advantage of the opportunity in the first half.
The second half brought the first corner kicks for either team, Ottoville getting the first of two one minute in and the Comets getting their lone kick exactly three minutes later with the same results. Like in the first half the teams battled between the 30 yard lines for the first part of the half.
The Comets picked up the intensity in the second 40, but the Ottoville defense kept the Big Green from getting any real attempts at keeper Carson Hilvers, making his job easier.
“It feels really good,” Hilvers said. Our team worked so hard to get here. I can’t wait to get to state. Our defense makes my job so easy. It is such a relief when I get to sit back there and let them take care of things.”
The Comets didn’t get their first shot a Hilvers until 17:30 left in the contest, a shot that Hilvers scooped up with little problem.
The Big Green kept plugging away with Preston Mansfield getting several opportunities in the later part of the second half, the biggest chance on a breakaway with 27:30 left, but the kick went just over the crossbar and out of play.
“We’ve been working at it for the last two years and now we finally got one to go through. I know it’s exciting right now, but Monday it’s back to work to get ready for next Wednesday.” Mansfield said.
The Big Green will take on either Willoughby Andrews Osborne or Beachwood at 7 p.m. Wednesday at a site to be announced.
“It’s still hard to believe that we’re finally there,” Markward said. “I mean you know it’s always nerve wracking going into games like this. You know even as a coach you want to make sure that you do your best to get these kids mentally prepared and so that was kind of the whole thing leading up this game.”
Dave Boninsegna wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
