Lady Lions returning to district finals

WAVERLY — The Fairfield Lady Lions are returning to the district finals, except this year they will be playing for a Division V Southeast District championship.

Tuesday night in the battle of the two Southern Hills Athletic Conference teams, the Lady Lions (14-4-1) defeated the Peebles Lady Indians (4-11-1) in the semifinal round in Waverly by a dominant 5-0 score.

“Defensively, we love the shutout,” Fairfield head coach Jacob Alexander said after the semifinal win. “The girls did a great job tonight back there, and then up top, we started putting some things together.

“With changes in the lineup [due to injuries], we’re still trying to figure things out, so it's starting to show some progress, like it did tonight with getting five goals.”

Fairfield was one of two SE District champions a season ago, and this year they will be facing the other district champion from last season, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs, as LCHS defeated North Adams by a 2-0 score Tuesday night. The two teams faced each other last season in the regional semifinals, and also this season, where Lynchburg-Clay won both of those two meetings.

On Tuesday, the Lady Lions scored their first goal off a shot by Rilee Quickle with 20:52 left in the first half, as the assist was from Kendall Welling.

That goal was followed by a second goal as Meri Jackson put the ball past the keeper with a shot near the net for a 2-0 lead with 17:53 remaining in the first half.

The two-goal lead stayed until halftime arrived, and the second half saw FHS score their third goal with 24:46 left in the second half as Quickle kicked the ball to the top corner of the net for a 3-0 advantage.

“The leadership on this team has really stepped up, and some of our silent leaders have even done a great job of helping those that aren't used to playing these normal positions,” Alexander said. “Rilee Quickle hasn't played up top but got two goals today. You have Emerson Zink up there, helping her with positioning and things like that. Emerson's one of our silent leaders there up top, and she's helping Rilee adjust to the change.”

Fairfield's fourth goal was scored with 2:36 left in regulation off the foot of Ava Hooper, as she too kicked the ball into the corner of the net.

The final goal of the district semifinal game came with a few seconds remaining as Emerson Zink knocked the ball past the keeper for the five five-goal win.

At goal for the shutout was Claire Newkirk, who had one save, as Alexander also praised the defensive efforts of his back line.

“On the back line, we started with Khloe Welling, Ashlyn Bellamy, Isabelle Hale and Landry Teeters,” Alexander said. “We also subbed in Miley Brown back there. She is one that has not typically played that position, and with a couple injuries we've got now, she's one that stepped up and played there.

“Claire Newkirk in goal, just having that senior leadership back there, helps.”

Fairfield will face Lynchburg-Clay (10-5-2) on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at Waverly in the Division V SE District Finals at 8 p.m.

“We love a good battle against our county rival,” Alexander said.

BOX SCORE
PHS 0 0 — 0
FHS 2 3 — 5

Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 25 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.