By Cort Reynolds / Photos by Aftan Dewese

KALIDA - The visiting Ada High School girls soccer team rode a big second half to defeat Kalida 5-1 in a non-league match on Saturday, Oct. 3.

The Bulldog girls improved to 11-1-2 with the road victory. Kalida fell to 3-5-4 with the home defeat.

Ada clung to a 2-1 halftime lead. But junior Emily Shanks scored two goals and made an assist in the second half to spearhead the victory.

“I really dislike Saturday morning games; you are never sure what team comes off the bus,” said Ada head coach Doug Dewese. “The well-rested and ready to go team or the exhausted, stayed up the night before celebrating a football win or hanging out with friends team. 

“I think the first half we may have celebrated the Ada football win the night before,” he observed. “We were flat for the first 40 minutes and needed to wake up.  

“In the second half we got our coffee and looked like the team we should be,” the coach continued. “Luckily in half two, we looked a ton better. We needed not just a win, but a quality win against Kalida since they are in our sectional bracket for tournaments.”

In the first half, Ada junior Avary Acheson scored on a penalty kick to provide a 1-0 lead. Senior Kenley Poling then tallied a goal via a corner kick assist from Rose Baxter.

In the second half, Shanks netted an unassisted goal to put Ada ahead 3-1. Baxter then found the back of the net on an assist from Shanks to earn for some breathing room with a 4-1 margin.  

Shanks netted the fifth Bulldog goal on an assist by Acheson to clinch it.

Keeper Emily Gibson made eight saves for Ada in goal.  

“(Being up) 2-1 at half time wouldn't cut it, so 5-1 was a better result for us,” Dewese summed up. “Kalida was tough and physical and never quit. Super happy and proud of Emily Shanks to get a few goals and an assist. She had worked so hard this year, so I am glad she got some feedback on the stats sheet for her hard work.  

“Kenley Poling, Rose Baxter and Aubry Jordan put in a dominating effort in the second half also,” he remarked. “Glad to see the team figure it out and put it together after a slow start.” 

UP NEXT
The Ada girls host Hardin County rival Kenton (3-9) on Thursday, Oct. 8.