Ella Dotson of Columbus Grove battles for the ball with Lydia Gleckler of Evergreen earlier this week. Dotson scored a key goal in Columbus Grove’s 2-0 victory over Kirtland on Saturday.
Chris Howell | The Lima News
HURON — In a thrilling showdown that underscored the old adage “defense wins championships,” the Columbus Grove Bulldogs clinched the Division V Regional title with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Kirtland, earning a spot in the state semifinals against Doylestown Chippewa.
Columbus Grove had the first crack at offense but the initial stages of the game were marked by a fierce defensive battle.
That changed at the 21:11 mark when Bulldog forward Lauryn Auchmuty broke free from the Kirtland defense with a decisive strike past the Kirtland goalkeeper, putting Columbus Grove up 1-0.
“I knew that one goal wasn’t going to be enough because, in soccer, things can change fast,” Auchmuty stated. “I knew we needed one or two more.”
Despite Kirtland’s determined efforts to equalize, little success was found against Columbus Grove’s midfield defense.
Head coach Kyle Verhoff praised his team’s composure after a nervous start, stating, “Once we got the nerves settled down, the defense stepped up, and we shined in our midfield defense today.”
Verhoff went on to emphasize how proud he was of his players for executing their game plan effectively and maintaining the lead heading into halftime.
With a 1-0 advantage at the break, Columbus Grove returned to the field wearing the confidence of a well-organized defense.
Kirtland attempted to mount a comeback, but the Bulldogs’ midfield continued to stifle any offensive momentum. The turning point came at the 17:15 mark of the second half when Ella Dotson received a perfectly timed assist from Auchmuty.
In a dramatic footrace with the goalkeeper diving for the ball, Dotson managed to get past and secure a crucial second goal for her team.
“I knew I needed to get that goal to help us secure our spot at state,” said Dotson after the match.
Her goal not only provided a cushion on the scoreboard but also significantly heightened the pressure on Kirtland as time began to run out.
As the clock ticked down, Columbus Grove’s defense held strong, showcasing its resilience and tactical discipline, halting every opportunity that Kirtland had.
On Tuesday, the Bulldogs meet Doylestown Chippewa in Copley at 7 p.m. Winner moves on to Historic Crew Stadium on Friday at 1 p.m. to play for the Division V State title.
Abram Escamilla wrote this story for LimaScores.com
