Soccer

Note: Information was supplied by the area soccer coaches. Teams not listed did not supply information.

CONVOY - There are at least two ways to look at a situation, and there's always a choice of which view to take.On one hand, the lack of success the Crestview girls basketball and softball teams have mustered in five state semifinal appearances in four years could be considered a disappointment. The Knights are 0-5 in semifinal games.On the other hand, consider how many teams have tried and failed to make just one state appearance in either sport over that same time period, and the true colors of the accomplishment bleed through.It's a dilemma that will haunt the current crop of seniors, unless they leave Akron with the big softball trophy in June. "It's an accomplishment to get there, but at the same time to work that hard and get down and get beat the first game for three years running stinks," Crestview softball coach Ali Sawmiller said. "It's a double-edged sword. We always want go down there and win, but somebody's got to lose."The journey begins at 5 p.m. tonight against Delphos Jefferson at Lincolnview. The Knights trampled Jefferson 17-0 last Monday.Including the 2005 state title win, the Knights have been to four straight softball semifinals; only Dalton and North Lewisburg Triad have repeat appearances during that same time. Other than Crestview, nine different schools have filled out the Division IV semifinal brackets in the four years.Melissa Eickholt and Kelsey Nedderman are both senior members of the basketball and softball squads. They were eighth graders when the Knights won the 2005 state softball title, setting up their high school careers with high expectations."It's a great record, but it's bittersweet," Eickholt said. "Watching Jamie (Perkins) and all those girls winning it, it gives you the ‘I want to be that girl my senior year feeling." The situation with the basketball team was a bit different than its springtime counterpart. The softball team has the aforementioned state title, along with six other state appearances in nine years, while the basketball team went 23 years between state berths.The loss in the basketball state semis to Columbus Africentric stung in '08. The loss this year was devastating."Last year was more of a learning experience, just getting down there," basketball coach Greg Rickard said. "With everyone we had coming back this year, making the run during the season and getting back, we definitely were more disappointed than last year. We expected to get past that first game."Knowing what he knows, it's still a position Rickard wouldn't trade."It had been so long since we had been there," Rickard said. "If you would have told me that four years ago, I would say, ‘Yeah, we'll take that.' No hesitation." With softball's postseason getting up to speed, the pressure is sitting right on Eickholt's shoulders. She understands this is her last shot at making history and leaving a different legacy at Crestview."I know all the seniors, you want to go out with a bang, and there would be nothing bigger than to go out with a win," Eickholt said. "We feel it a little more because this is the last time, the last sport we have that opporutunity in."

LEXINGTON - Akron Hoban's best player was out for the year.

BATH TOWNSHIP - St. Marys girls soccer coach Paul Dingledine told his team during the week they have yet to play their best game of the year.

LIMA - The youngsters are here.

BATH TOWNSHIP -Bath and Shawnee battled to a 3-3 tie in girls soccer at Bath.