Girls Soccer Notches Tournament Win

GIRLS SOCCER EDGEWOOD 3, MIAMISBURG 0

Cougars get first tourney win in eight years

Sophomore Sara Pearson scores twice, sophomore keeper Taylor Ray records eighth shutout of the season.

By Skip Weaver

Staff Writer

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

TRENTON - Ever since the Edgewood High School girls soccer team missed out on a league championship, the focus has been on the first round of the Division I sectional tournament.

The Cougars maintained that focus en route to a 3-0 win Monday, Oct. 13, over Miamisburg to advance to the sectional semifinals at home Thursday against New Carlisle Tecumseh.

It was the first tournament win in eight years for Edgewood, according to coach Eric Hickey.

"I thought it was an even game," Hickey said. "I felt we might be more talented, but mentally we had not won a big game like this all year.

"I knew with our defense, that if we could get a quick score and the lead, we'd be OK," he added.

Just seven minutes into the game, sophomore Sara Pearson made that a reality.

Pearson also would score the final goal of the game for the Cougars, who improved to 10-5-2 on the season.

"It was more physical than we're used to," Pearson said. "Coach told us before the game to get one early and once we did, it pumped us up."

Edgewood held that 1-0 lead at halftime, and got another quick goal to start the second half to go up 2-0.

Barely four minutes into the second half, junior Miranda Milholland got Edgewood on the board again.

"That goal was just as important as the first one," Hickey said. "I thought it really deflated them some. Last year, we were up 1-0 in our tournament game and lost 2-1, so we knew if we could come out and offset their emotion in the first 10 minutes of the second half and get another goal, it would be a done deal."

Hickey also credited his defense - especially Kaylee Tegenkamp and Holly Campbell - with playing a huge role in the win.

"Defensively, we're stellar," Hickey said. "We've only given up 13 goals this year. I feel with our defense, and the passion we play with, we don't fear anyone. We'll take our chances against anyone."

Sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Ray recorded her eighth shutout of the year, which set a new school record for a single season.

"I thought we battled better in the second half, but Edgewood did a nice job of winning the 50-50 balls," Miamisburg coach Jessica Gulley said. "I think we had some nerves, but Edgewood used a double sweeper which is something we've not seen and really took away our offense. They deserved to win."

Pearson got the Cougars final goal with 9:11 left in the game on a shot she took from about 35 yards out and skipped in just off the Vikings' keeper's hands.

"It feels amazing that I get to be part of something like this," Pearson said. "We have two seniors that are the base of our team and we really wanted this for them because they've worked so hard for the last four years."

Edgewood's two seniors are Tori Coate and Campbell.

*from Middletown Journal*