Ottawa-Glandorf’s Delaney Duling dribbles downfield toward the goal against Clear Fork earlier this week. Duling had a key assist in a 2-0 win over Eastwood on Saturday.
Jessica Trinko | The Lima News
BOWLING GREEN — Mere hours after celebrating the success of its band, cross country and volleyball programs, Ottawa Glandorf’s soccer team earned its own celebration.
The Titans notched their fourth straight trip to the state semifinals on Saturday night after taking down Eastwood 2-0 in a Division IV Regional final at Bowling Green High School.
“It’s a special moment for our team,” said fourth-year Ottawa-Glandorf coach Michelle Maag. “This senior class is now a four-time regional champion. That’s incredibly difficult to accomplish.”
Eastwood keeper Jordan Jensen made life difficult for the Titans in the early going during the third regional final meeting in four years between the two programs.
Despite losing captain Makenna Siefker to injury moments beforehand, O-G found its first marker in the 15th minute off its third straight set piece.
Delaney Duling lifted a high offering towards the net, finding Carlie Brinkman who shot it past a diving Jensen, putting the Titans ahead 1-0.
“Set pieces will win you tournament games,” Maag said. “That was the case again tonight when we had a great finish on a corner from Carlie to get a goal when we really needed it.
“When Makenna went down tonight, I thought the girls kept their composure well. We aren’t sure what the status of her injury is moving forward, but regardless of that situation, it’s our job to keep finding a way.”
Early in the second half, the Titans once again turned to a Brinkman for a score, this time to freshman Rilee Brinkman. Working wide open from 25 yards away, the younger Brinkman rocketed a ball to the upper half of the box for her second goal of the season.
“Rilee’s goal is a special one,” Maag said. “Rilee has earned some additional playing time as her freshman season has gone on and she made the most of her moment tonight.”
Ottawa Glandorf keeper Libbie Niese, who’s starting her fifth straight game in place of an injured Karsyn Erford, earned kudos from her head coach as she finished with four saves on the night.
“Libbie continues to impress in the net,” Maag said. “We’re lucky to have two very talented keepers on our team.”
Eastwood sees its season end with a record of 10-9-3, while Ottawa-Glandorf (19-2) moves on to battle Chagrin Falls on Tuesday in Sandusky in the state semifinals. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Scoring
O-G — Carlie Brinkman — 24:58
O-G — Rilee Brinkman — 29:12
Assists
O-G — Delaney Duling 1
O-G — Liv Grothause 1
Saves
O-G — Libbie Niese 4
E — Jordan Jensen 14
Michael Hirn wrote this story for LimaScores.com
