Middies withstand weather, Shoregals

The Midview girls soccer team won its first sectional title in 18 years after a hardfought, 2-1 victory over the Avon Lake Shoregals in a Division I sectional final on Oct. 20.

It was a windy, rainy night in Avon Lake, making for less-than-ideal conditions, but both teams came out with a high level of energy and intensity.

The Middies move on to face Magnificat (7-4-3) on Oct. 25.

The two teams are no strangers to close games, as the Southwestern Conference rivals met earlier in the season in a contest that ended with a 4-4 tie.

The sectional final was evenly matched like their previous meeting, only this time was a defensive struggle.

Avon Lake (10-2-5) was on the attack for most of the first 40 minutes, but Midview’s defense held its ground. Goaltender Ashley Callaway made five saves to keep the Shoregals off the board.

Finally, with only 30 seconds left in the half, Kelly Spitz bounced a shot from a long distance that sailed over Callaway’s head into the net to give Avon Lake a 1-0 lead.

Although Midview (123-3) could not find many good looks in the first half, the Middies broke through with 32:17 remaining in the second, when a shot was deflected by Avon Lake goaltender Danielle DelGuidice, but Ashley Dekam cleaned up a rebound and tied the match.

Midview kept momentum on its side and six minutes later Colleen Benton scored a header to put the Middies in front, 2-1.

It was Benton’s teamleading 14th goal of the season.

Both sides had their chances for the final 20 minutes, but Callaway was not under nearly as much duress as the first half, and Midview’s defense held on to come away with the victory.

Midview coach Abbey Golden praised her players for their effort, ability to come from behind and fight through the wind and rain all night.

“I don’t make excuses,” said Golden. “We stuck to our game plan. There’s 80 minutes in a game and tonight, when it mattered most and it’s win-or-gohome, we played all 80 minutes.”

Callaway shared that mentality, not making any excuses of adverse weather conditions.

“We played together as a team, fought until the end and succeeded,” said Callaway. “As an athlete, you just do the best that you can and treat every game like it’s your last.”

Dekam, the sophomore midfielder who scored the game-tying goal, knows her team will have to play even harder in the next round of the tournament.

“We want this for our seniors,” said Dekam. “We have to push even harder than we did this game, have more heart and work as a team.”

Golden is confident her team will be ready for the Blue Streaks on Oct. 25.

“I’ve watched them a couple of times this season and I’m very familiar with their system of play,” the coach said.

“Every team that’s on our schedule, either regular season or potentially postseason, I make sure to go and see them. I’m prepared and I know our girls will be prepared,” said Golden.