CGA wins regional title
PLYMOUTH — With gale force winds and semistate dreams whirling around, a sense of composure was crucial in the Class 2A regional championship battle between CGA and West Lafayette Saturday night.
“It was an emotional one,” said CGA Lady Eagles coach Nate King. “I just had to allow the girls to show their character.”
CGA’S first test would come in the form of an early penalty kick.
Sophomore goalie Isabel Herrera faced a momentum-swinging moment with ultimate poise, diving right with the ball, and sending the Lady Eagles attacking, with the wind at their sails.
A foul by the Lady Devils set up a free kick by Samantha Hazen just outside the box, on the other end. The West Lafayette defensive wall was not barrier enough for Hazen’s right to left curve; the Lady Eagles surged to a 1-0 lead.
However, the Lady Devils came storming back with a shot on goal, again saved expertly by CGA goalie Herrera. And, again, the save led to a Hazen goal, this one resulting from pristine positioning, following senior teammate Jane Sovinski’s bounding corner kick.
West Lafayette was able to put one through at minute 21, narrowing the margin to 2-1, but senior Sophia Rotiroti buried a crossing ball, which gave CGA a two-goal cushion heading into the second half.
Defensive stops by the Lady Eagles led to successive goals by Hazen, sophomore Brighton Bird, and freshman Quinn Bird.
CGA will face the #2 ranked Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger Saints on Saturday in Kokomo.
CGA’S regional title is its first since 2008.
• CGA 6, WEST LAFAYETTE 2
Class 2A Regional championship
At Plymouth
CGA - 13’ Samantha Hazen
CGA - 15’ Samantha Hazen
WL - 21’ Kylie Reif
CGA - 25’ Sophia Rotiroti
WL - 47’ Ava Beck
CGA - 53’ Samantha Hazen
CGA - 61’ Brighton Bird (Samantha Hazen)
CGA - 75’ Quinn Bird
Shots: CGA 15, W. Lafayette 11
Saves: CGA 8 (Isabel Herrera), W. Lafayette 8 (Adrianne Tolen)
Fouls: CGA 8, W. Lafayette 6
Corner kicks: CGA 3, W. Lafayette 3
Yellow cards: CGA 0, W. Lafayette 1
Records: CGA 11-8, West Lafayette 7-4