Goals by Sophie Neufelder, Jill Planeaux, Tyler Smith, and Landon Guidugli
After a rainy 90 minute trip to Frankfort, the Lady ‘Stags lined up on Capital View Park field #1 at 11:00 on Saturday morning to take on the Lady Eagles of Bethlehem. The first 10 minutes were evenly matched, until the Lady Eagles set up for a corner kick. It appeared that most players on both teams were confused as to just how the untouched kick found the back of the net, but it put Bethlehem up 1-0. Senior Sophie Neufelder tied things up when she slipped one by the keeper at the 11:57 mark. This would also be the score at halftime.
Eight minutes into the second half, Junior Jill Planeaux added a goal of her own after receiving a pass from 20 yards out. Just 7 minutes later, the Lady Eagles would tie things up at 2-2, and then add 2 more throughout the second half, ending the Lady ‘Stangs run in the All A.
The girls are in action on Monday @Pendelton, Wednesday @Montgomery County and Saturday @the MAC vs. Highlands.
The boys kicked things off in Frankfort at 1:00 vs. the Blackcats of Prestonburg. Sophomore Tyler Smith added another goal to his season total (14) by firing a shot from the 19 yard line with just under 10 min left in the first half. The Mustangs would hold onto the 1-0 lead through the first half.
In the second half, Senior Andrew Beck bent a corner kick into the box and found the foot of Sophomore Landon Guidugli, who scored his 4th goal of the season.
The rest of the game became pretty physical, as both teams tried to secure their place in the next round. Multiple shot attempts were denied by the defensive skills of Ty Schaeffer, David Prather, Ryan Ebert, James Ampfer and Carter Goodman. At times, it resembled a rugby scrum. With 18:33 to go, the referee issued a yellow card on the Mustangs, on what seemed to be a normal defensive takeaway. The Blackcats were unsuccessful on their free kick, as Junior Lucas Steffen hauled in one of his many saves of the day.
With 12 1/2 minutes to go, Prestonburg did what they do best and sent a long pass over the defense and found their striker…making the score 2-1. The Mustangs would hold onto this lead and advance to the Final Four at 8pm.
With the sun setting behind the trees and our state capital dome, the Mustangs lined up in all white to face the hometown Frankfort Panthers wearing all black. Our boys didn’t back down from a very skilled and physical team, who are clearly a Full Class State Championship contender.
With 33:47 on the game clock, the Panthers sent a long pass down the left side of the field and delivered their first goal. In a similar fashion, they added a second goal with 7:33 left in the half.
Junior Lucas Steffen prevented another goal with a great dive to his left on a Panther PK. Frankfort would would eventual seal the win when they slipped in another goal later in the game.
Senior Zach Holtz played one of the best games of his career, and played the entire game as a holding midfielder. Junior Colin Ratcliff sustained an injury in the first game of the day, but will hopefully be good to go this week.
(Pictures from Jill Twehues below)
The boys have 3 home games this week on Tuesday vs. NCC, Thursday vs. Montgomery Co. and Saturday vs. Dixie.
