Seton Advances to State Semifinals with 2-1 Win Over Mount Notre Dame

LIBERTY TWP., Ohio – In a highly anticipated matchup between the last two Division I state champions, Seton scored two quick goals to secure a 2-1 victory over Mount Notre Dame in the Region 4 championship of the Ohio High School Athletic Association girls soccer tournament. The win propels Seton, the defending state champs, to the semifinals where they will face Olentangy Liberty. Meanwhile, MND, the 2021 state champion, concludes their season with a record of 11-2-8.

Scoring early in the game proved to be crucial for Seton as they found the back of the net twice within the first nine minutes. Junior Payton Oberjohann opened the scoring off a corner kick from senior Millie Cluxton, while junior Lexi O’Shea capitalized on a scrum in front of the net to give Seton a 2-0 lead. Mount Notre Dame managed to pull one back just before halftime, but Seton’s defense held strong in the second half to secure the victory.

“Going back to back is one of the hardest things, especially coming out of this region,” said Seton senior goalkeeper Riley Tarvin.

Seton and Mount Notre Dame had previously faced off twice during the season, with each team earning a 3-2 victory on the other’s home field. This time, Seton’s early goals proved to be the difference-maker.

“Teams at this level are too good to let them score first,” said head coach Paul Volker. “Take the game to them and play the way we’re capable of playing. To get up on them immediately, it put a little damper on them. It’s hard to go down 2-0 against us because we have so much firepower.”

Seton’s impressive season includes scoring 96 goals, with seniors Kenzie Carle, Millie Cluxton, and Ava Glahn leading the charge. Carle has also contributed 16 assists, while Cluxton boasts 21 assists thus far.

“The leadership, the quality of individuals both on and off the field has been second to none,” said Volker of his eight senior starters. “They come to practice every day. They work hard. They stay late. They keep their grades up. The camaraderie: They’re all about being one, about being a team. None of them care about individual glory.”

Waynesville Suffers First Loss to Summit Country Day in Regional Finals

In another thrilling regional final, Summit Country Day handed Waynesville its first loss of the season with a 3-1 victory in the Division II, Region 8 final. Summit, who previously drew against Waynesville during the regular season, advances to the state semifinals to face Millersburg West Holmes. Waynesville concludes their season with a record of 19-1-1.

Freshman Abigayle Penote was the hero for Summit, scoring all three goals in the match. Her impressive performance included a goal off an assist from Cammy Lorentz, an interception and one-on-one finish, and another goal assisted by Zoe Jackson.

Despite the loss, Waynesville’s senior Samantha Erbach managed to score a late penalty kick, bringing her season total to 48 goals and her career total to 152.

Cincinnati Country Day and Madeira Set to Clash in State Semifinals

Cincinnati Country Day dominated Lynchburg-Clay with a commanding 6-0 victory in the Region 11 championship game. The reigning DIII state champs will now face Madeira in the state semifinals. Cincinnati Country Day, boasting a record of 20-2, secured a 4-0 lead by halftime, with Elizabeth Zimmerman scoring two goals. Madeira, with a season record of 12-5-4, defeated West Liberty-Salem 2-0 in the Region 12 final.

“A lot of us played club together so we know each other. We’re sisters. Off the field, we bond and we’re all good friends,” said Zimmerman of Cincinnati Country Day’s unity and bond as a team.