The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
High school girls soccer regional final capsule
SOUTH RANGE VS. KIRTLAND
What: Division III regional final
When: 3, Nov. 7
Where: Mentor
Records: South Range 13-41, Kirtland 16-1-3
What’s next: The winner will take on Liberty-Benton or Pemberville Eastwood in a state semifinal at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at a site to be determined. What to look for: Kirtland is on a 12-match unbeaten run since its lone defeat of the fall, 1-0 at West Geauga on Sept. 16, and has been dominant in the process.
As is customary when lauding the Hornets’ attacking quality, it’s led by two-time All-Ohio striker Erika Zschuppe (47 goals, 10 assists in 2020) and standout central midfielder Aria Evans-Roskos (13-17). But what makes Kirtland so difficult to defend is the comprehensiveness with which it operates. With this side, service is never wasteful — it always has a purpose and variety. The wide play, including
senior Leah LaVerde (13-7) as a left outside mid, stretches a backline. Zschuppe’s pace and willingness to go get touches in midfield when needed diversifies that danger even more.
The defensive third, with senior goalkeeper Corinne Aquila, senior center back Amber Yurick and outside backs Corinne Greenlee and Macy McIntosh, is battletested against one of the most daunting schedules for a D-III girls side in Ohio and never gets rattled. South Range got to the elite eight with a 2-1 win over the Hornets’ fellow CVC side Berkshire, a heartbreaker for the Badgers decided by an own goal in the final minute of regulation.
The Raiders’ primary center of attention in the attack is 2019 D-III All-Ohio midfielder Gabby Lamparty (31-23), along with Bree Kohler (28-3). If Kirtland, with EvansRoskos, Giuliana Vladic (0-18) and Maria Bevanda (1-12), can limit Lamparty’s space and touch quality in the middle of the park, this feels like a match in which the Hornets can seize control early and handle their business en route to their fifth state final four berth since 2015.