'Playing with some confidence': Ashland tops Springfield for girls soccer sectional title
In just over six minutes the Ashland girls soccer team left little doubt about who the sectional champion would be.
Caley Biddinger’s goal just over three minutes into the game was followed only three minutes later by Bella Dravenstott's penalty kick rifle-shot goal inside the box, and the Arrows never looked back Wednesday in a decisive 5-0 victory over Springfield.
Ashland advanced to a district semifinal at 7 p.m. Monday at Sylvania Northview, a 9-0 winner over Toledo Bowsher on Wednesday evening.
“We controlled our offensive third for a majority of the game,” said Ashland coach Lee Hunt. “And that is something we are kind of getting used to. We get the ball into our offensive third and start moving the ball around and that creates chances for each other, and tonight we took advantage of that.”
Ashland tallies five first-half goals
With the early two-goal lead, the Arrows continued to press the issue on the offensive end. Audrey Hubler (21:51), Adi Helbert (14:54) and Biddinger (10:29) each found the back of the net in the decisive first half as Ashland fired off 10 shots during the initial 40 minutes while Arrows goalie Sadie Mills faced nary an attempt.
“Caley up top tonight had the first big goal,” Hunt said. “Then she created the second score with individual skill and cutting through the box and getting clipped. And then she graciously gave away the PK to Bella.
“Bella was calm and cool just like we see in practice, and she did exactly what I expected of her.”
“I am still pretty excited over this,” said Biddinger. “We knew we had to come out strong and show Northview that we are a threat. We lost to them the first time we played and we know they only beat this team 4-0.”
Ashland lost 2-0 at Sylvania on Aug. 12.
“Those first two goals were very exciting also,” added Biddinger. “Offense has been our struggle, and to be able to score those five goals in just a half was pretty impressive for us.
“We are so interchangeable and so many different players contributed to the offense and got involved with the offense.”
Ashland (8-6-4) finished with 17 shots on goal to just one by Springfield (4-12-1) with Ashland awarded three corner kicks.
Blue Devils show grit in second half
Despite being down five goals, Springfield coach Steve Mortemore liked the intensity his team showed the final 40 minutes.
“Getting to halftime and being down 5-0, you have to go for broke,” said Mortemore. “We have to think about what we are doing well and what we aren’t doing well. We were in a 4-5-1 to start out and then into a 4-2-3-1 to see if we could get more scoring opportunities out of it.
“The girls played well in that second half and I was pleased that they competed so well in the second half. That is exactly what we always ask for.”
The five-goal half was a result of steady progress for Hunt’s squad.
“Our ball control has gotten so much better over the season,” he explained. “We move the ball inside to out and outside to in and have not been afraid to pull the ball back when needed. We have making sure to have multiple options around the ball at all times. If they do get into trouble or feel comfortable going to their left, there is an easy option to the right or pull it back.”
The game showcased eight Arrows seniors playing their final home game.
“Learning a formation and learning personnel is difficult every year when you graduate good classes of seniors,” said Hunt. “You have to re-learn new players on the field, and that takes time. We were unfortunate that we had a few players that decided not to come back this year and that took us a few games to learn how to play. But after those first few games, we have done well.
“The girls are playing with some confidence that maybe I didn’t see the first few games, but tonight they showed us just how things might be. It was a great effort by the entire team.”
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Early goal by Caley Biddinger helps Ashland defeat Northview
