By Cort Reynolds / Photos by Aftan Dewese

ADA__Playing their first match in nine days, the Ada High School girls soccer team wasn’t rusty as they defeated visiting North Central Ohio Soccer Association foe Upper Sandusky 3-0 on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30.

Ada improved to 10-1-2 overall and 1-1-1 in the NCSA after the home victory.  US fell to 6-5-1 overall and 2-2-1 in NCOSA play with the road loss.

Junior Rose Baxter netted two goals, and sophomore Shay Smith netted one.

Keeper Emily Gibson made four saves. Ram keeper Bristol Galvin was credited with five stops.

“Very happy with a dominating win,” said Ada head coach Doug Dewese. “Upper has a potent offense when it gets going with a strong senior in Shiloh Shasteen, and we managed to shut that offense down effectively.  

“Not only that, but we worked very hard at creating plenty of offensive opportunities and finished when we needed to,” he continued. “Rose Baxter is really coming on as a threat, and if someone wants to shut her down, we have Kenley Poling, Shay Smith and Aubry Jordan waiting in the wings to pick it up and score.  

“The major shout out, though, goes to our back line of Reese Jordan, Aliyah Kober, Lynkin McDougle and Emily Shanks for holding back their offense,” Dewese noted. “Emily Gibson also came up big with a few very stout key saves as well.“

The Bulldogs led 1-0 at halftime, then tacked on two insurance goals after intermission to win going away.

“This puts us in a better place as far as the conference, and also gives us a strong standing as we get ready for tournament seeding next weekend,” Dewese observed. “If we win out then we go into sectionals with a 12-1-2 record and can get at least a two seed - probably behind Miller City, who is undefeated. 

“All in all, a great win in a very important game,” he summed up. “So very proud of all our players.”

The Bulldog JV also beat the Rams, 1-0.

Ada plays at non-league foe Kalida (3-4-3) on Saturday, October 3.