Announcement
LUSC Premier (LP) began the defense of their ACC championship with a 2-0 win over Northern Kentucky United 95 Red. Although they struggled at times in their first game in the 11v11 format, LP ran out as comfortable winners. In the first half the NKU goalkeeper saved a fierce Lauren Hoover shot, but a determined Heather McNutt out jumped an NKU defender to head home the rebound. At the start of the second half Cailyn Wachtel released Katie Mueller on the left wing and Mueller lobbed the ball over the goal keeper from a tight angle for the second goal. Towards the end of the game LP almost added a third when Hoover hit the post on a break away.
The heat of the afternoon affected both teams in the second game with neither LP or Knoxville Outlaws creating any clear scoring opportunities in the first half. However, moving Lauren Hoover from defense to striker at half time paid immediate dividends as she raced onto a through ball from Natalie Murray to put LP ahead. Later in the second half a long range shot from Claire Webb appearted to pose little threat. However, the Knoxville goalkeeper misplayed the ball and Crystal Rains showed the value never quitting on a play by tapping home the rebound. LP should have added third near the end of the game when Mo Combs has flattened in the penalty area, but Claire Webb put the spot kick wide. All-in-all a good performance and another 2-0 victory.
Needing a win over Beavercreek Celtics to reach the final LP started brightly, but as the first half wore on they surrendered the midfield and allowed the Celtics to control the game. With Celtics seemingly winning every lose ball in the middle they took a deserved 2-0 lead. It wasn't until the final 10 minutes that LP played with the passion required to defend their ACC title. Katie Mueller deflected a Heather McNutt cross past the keeper to make the score 2-1 and then everyone except the referee thought that Lauren Heger was pushed down in the penalty area. However, LP learned that 10 minutes maximum effort was not enough against the committed Celtics.
Lakota Premier faced FC Phoenix from Columbus in the 3rd place play off. Lauren Heger gave the Phoenix defense fits on the right wing and it wasn't long before she was fouled 5 yards outside the penalty area. Lauren Hoover stepped up to place the free kick into the top corner and give LP the lead. Heger set up the second goal too, after playing a give and go with Lindsey Kelly she raced to the bye line and pulled back a perfect cross for Alison Dicke to blast home from short range. The 2-0 advantage looked comfortable until the last few minutes when LP appeared to wilt in the heat. Phoenix got behind the LP defense to pull a goal back. Then in the dying seconds the LP defense was burnt on another through ball, but goal keeper Rachel Gary bravely attacked the Phoenix forward which led to a big collision and the ball trickling inches wide.
Comments
Seasons
Sponsors
