Team faces Falcon foes in semis

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON - The Bluffton High School girls soccer team defeated local rival Allen East 3-1 in first round Div. V sectional tournament play Tuesday night, October 15, at Steinmetz Field.  

The Pirate record improved to 11-5-1 after the victory. It was the second year in a row the Pirates eliminated AE from the tournament at Steinmetz.

The Pirates advance to face top-seeded Riverdale Monday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in the semifinals at Steinmetz Field. The Falcons (12-3-3) have defeated Bluffton in the district finals at Steinmetz the last two seasons in tense, low-scoring matches.

Riverdale led just 1-0 at the half, but shut out Cory-Rawson 5-0 in the first round Tuesday night.

AE finished its season 7-9-1 with the defeat. It was the final match for Mustang senior ace Rilynn Jones, who ends up with 120 goals and 51 assists in her career.

Jones scored the lone Mustang goal in the 76th minute with AE behind 3-0.

Against AE, Bluffton’s Phoebe Edwards-Leeper tallied the first goal in the opening minute of play to give the hosts momentum and a very early 1-0 lead.

Pirate Mya McDougle assisted on the score.

The game stayed 1-0 into halftime. Bluffton then scored less than two minutes into the second half as Avery Ulrey tallied an unassisted goal to forge a 2-0 lead.

In the 75th minute, Pirate Willow Derstine scored off McDougle’s second assist of the chilly night to extend the lead to 3-0.

Jones then scored a minute later to provide the final margin. Jones finished with 23 goals and 15 assists this season.

Bluffton directed 21 of its 27 shots on goal. The Mustangs got off five shots, four of which were on goal.

Pirate goalkeeper Kynzie Ewing made three saves, while the AE keeper Sierra Studer was credited with 18 saves.

The Pirate girls improved to 6-2 at home after the win. Riverdale is 5-2-1 on the road this season.

The Pirates were seeded fourth in the tough eight-team Div. V sectional.

Second-seeded CG advanced to the semifinals Monday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. in Bluffton vs. tough Mansfield Christian (13-1-2). Grove defeated Ada 6-0 in their first round match as Lauryn Auchmuty scored three goals and passed out two assists.

Third seed MC shut out Ashland Crestview 7-0 in their district quarterfinal match Tuesday.

The four semifinalist teams have a combined record of 51-10-8.

The district finals at Steinmetz Field are set for Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.