The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kirtland advances to D-III state final
MACEDONIA » Kealy Sullivan’s goal in the 30th minute stood as the only tally in Bay’s 1-0 victory over Lake Catholic in a Division II state semifinal at Nordonia Nov. 6.
Sullivan won possession from a defender after a goal kick, dribbled into the middle of the field and scored with a shot across her body to the left post.
Cougars coach Chris Hastings thought Lake Catholic generated the majority of chances but lamented the team’s opportunity to capitalize.
“We dominated most of play,” Hastings said, “had the chances, had multiple chances, but if you don’t finish them, they’re not worth anything.”
Bay advances to the D-II state final Nov. 9 at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus where the Rockets play Cincinnati Indian Hill.
The Cougars outshot the Rockets but were unable to put a goal past standout Bay keeper Maeve Johnston. Johnston, who recorded eight clean sheets in 21 previous matches, saved all 11 of Lake Catholic’s shots.
The Cougars created chances into the final minutes after they pulled their goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Johnston made a leaping save of a free kick on a trajectory to enter the goal just below the cross bar late in the second half.
Similar to Sullivan’s goal, Hastings wanted his attackers to try to beat Johnston with low shots to her far side.
“She just anchors that back end and makes a save on a free kick that most goalies don’t make,” Hastings said. “That’s going in on most goalies. You’ve got to shoot low and far post and we didn’t do it.”
Meanwhile, Bay pounced on its best chance of the match.
“If you hit them low and far stick from the goalie,” Hastings said, “it’s a hard shot to save for any goalie at any level. She did the right thing, put it away.”
After Lake Catholic finished as the 2017 D-II runnerup, the Cougars returned to the state level despite missing one of the state’s best players, senior midfielder Kati Druzina, who missed the entire season with an injury.
Lake Catholic finished
“I’ll miss the camaraderie and the fun and the jokes that we have in practice.” — Lake Catholic coach Chris Hastings
the season 14-6-1. The future remains bright for the Cougars as, after senior forward Keka Babic’s 22 goals and six assists, the team’s next three leading scorers consist of two sophomores — Kennedy Rieple and Ella Hadley — and a freshman, Gianna Carcelli.
Hastings will miss the play of seniors like Babic and goalkeeper Ava Peterlin on the field as much as their personality.
“The girls, they play hard on the field,” Hastings said, “which is great and they’re fun, they’re a fun bunch of girls. That’s the biggest thing, I’ll miss the camaraderie and the fun and the jokes that we have in practice.”