Tied 0-0 entering penalty kicks, Owensboro’s first four shooters all scored to beat Ohio County 1-0 and punch their ticket to the 3rd Region Championship. Awaiting them is Daviess County, who cruised past Meade County 7-0 to advance to the 3rd Region Championship for the third straight year.
Kicking off the semi-final’s doubleheader, the Lady Devils goalie Haley Sikes was a brick wall throughout the evening, recording three saves in regulation and overtime and one in penalties. Owensboro went 4-4 in penalties, while Ohio County scored twice, missed wide once, and had one shot blocked.
“We started slow again, and we had quite a few offensive plays that should have resulted in goals,” Owensboro Head Coach Sarah Poole said. “Ohio County played well tonight and had a very good defensive game. I am proud of the team’s composure in the shootout. It takes a level of calm to place a ball under pressure. From a keeper’s point of view, you only need to save one in a shootout, which Haley did.”
For the Lady Panthers’ Mary Evelyn Wiman and Bella Coombs both had two goals and two assists, while Molly Floyd also scored twice. Mack Elliot added a goal, and Bailey Brown dished out three assists. Kaelin Labhart started in net and finished with three saves.
“Before the game, we discussed coming out hard and trying to put one in the back of the net early, and we were able to do that,” Daviess County Head Coach Paige Crisp said. “Our first goal came 14 seconds in. We started both halves tonight with a lot of energy and capitalized on the chances we got. We had stretches where we were a little stagnant throughout the game, but we did what we needed to do and are excited for a chance to play for a regional championship on Thursday.”
