McClain Lady Tigers continue in tournament; shut out Fairland and advance to district finals 

LUCASVILLE — The McClain Lady Tigers continued to set new milestones in 2025 for their soccer program, with the latest being advancing to the district finals for the first time. McClain did so following a 15-day layoff due to tournament scheduling to defeat the Fairland Lady Dragons, 2-0 at Valley High School. 

The No. 3 seeded Lady Tigers won against the No. 6 seeded Fairland team by scoring one goal in each half, as the Frontier Athletic Conference champions’ goals were both scored by junior Paisley Pryor. 

“I think the ball was on our offensive side a lot tonight, but we just have to work on the little things,” McClain head coach Blain Bergstrom said. “Having 15 days off in between games really made a difference for us and you see that tonight, and as I told the girls, ‘You live to see another day.’

“We get to come back and play for a district championship, and if you can’t get fired up for that, then you shouldn't be on the field.”

Bergstrom spoke about what it is like to have a 15-day break in between games. 

“We practiced, and we wanted to practice hard, keep them in shape and do all the little things,” Bergstrom said. “I was trying to schedule scrimmages, but things just didn’t work out for our schedules. We did get to practice on turf, so that helps us get prepared for how fast the game is here, and this field is fast. We have to be ready to go because Wheelersburg is a good team.”

Pryor’s first goal was scored with 11:43 remaining in the first half, as it was a short kick to the net for the 1-0 lead. The second goal came in the second half with the scoreboard reading 36:26 as she, once again, sent the ball to the back of the net for McClain’s 2-0 lead. 

Besides the two goals scored the Lady Tigers played excellent defense including a few saves from senior Leah Lovett. 

“We have four seniors back there and a goalie that’s a senior too, and they know what it takes. They’ve rotated well, and Bailey Parson stepped up for us on defense and made some good plays. She helped our attacking side and helped us out. 

“Becca’s (Bergstrom) speed in the back is always good to have. Fairland had two girls have speed, and they were fast and aggressive, so our speed in our left and right backs being Abigail and Bree, they stepped up when they needed to. Leah had a big save, and our defense has kept us in a lot of games this year, and they did that tonight." 

McClain had other opportunities on offense as well, controlling possession of the ball for a majority of the match. McClain was able to get many shots off at the net, but they were unlucky at times with the ball hitting the top of the crossbar once, and others just sailing a bit wide right or left. 

“We had a lot of shots, but we just have to have them on frame and put them in the right spot,” Bergstrom said. “I tell the girls it isn’t about how hard you hit it, sometimes it is placement, or a poke at the goal line, but it doesn’t matter how it gets across the goal line, it is still a goal. I emphasize that a lot, it doesn't matter how hard you hit it, just put it in the back of the net and let’s get it in the back of the net.” 

Next for McClain (14-2-2) is the program's first district final appearance on Thursday, Oct. 23 against the No. 2 seeded Wheelersburg Lady Pirates at 7:30 p.m. at Valley High School. Wheelersburg (14-3-0) defeated Circleville, 2-0 on Tuesday at VHS in their district semifinal match. 

“This will be the first district final game that McClain girls soccer has ever played, and we have 14 wins thus far this season.” Bergstrom said. “I told them this was one of our goals. One was to win the FAC, and we did, and the other was to win at least a district title.”