Loveland beats Liberty in girls state semifi nal

Colleen Swift scored 3:58 into overtime and Loveland escaped with a 2-1 win over Olentangy Liberty in a Division I girls soccer state semifinal at Centerville on Tuesday night.

Swift’s goal was the 16th shot — 11th on goal — for the Tigers, who limited the Patriots to six total shots, four on net.

Liberty’s Laura Bichel gave Liberty (13-6-3) a 1-0 lead midway through the second half. It was just the fourth goal allowed by Loveland and goalie Lauren Parker all season. It was also the last registered shot on goal for the Patriots.

Loveland’s Brice Grieshop tied it with 3:38 remaining in regulation after Liberty’s Riley Cartwright stopped the first nine shots on net.

The Tigers (21-1) will face Perrysburg, which defeated Massillon Jackson 1-0 in overtime, on Friday at Mapfre Stadium.

Lily Melink fed Colleen McIlvenna for two goals in the second half and top-ranked Cincinnati Summit Country Day (21-1) downed fifth-ranked Grandview (18-2-2) in a Division III state semifinal at Beavercreek. Melink served a pass in the box to McIlvenna, who made the sliding shot for a 2-1 lead five minutes into the second half. Four minutes later, Melink fed McIlvenna again for a goal for Summit, which aims to win its third state title Friday against Kirtland, which defeated Liberty Benton 2-1.

Top-ranked Indian Hill (21-0-1) scored twice in the first six minutes and opened up a 3-0 halftime advantage on the way to a Division II state semifinal victory over Big Walnut (16-3-1) at Kettering Fairmont. The Braves will face Mentor Lake Catholic in Friday’s final. Lake Catholic defeated Mansfield Madison 1-0.