Columbus Grove’s Lauren Auchmuty heads the ball against Delphos Jefferson’s Alonnah Sellers during Monday’s match at Stadium Park.
Richard Parrish | The Lima News
DELPHOS – Columbus Grove used a strong second half as they pushed past host Delphos Jefferson 4-1 in a Monday evening Northwest Conference girls soccer tilt at Stadium Park.
Jefferson snagged the lead first with 24:33 remaining in the opening half on a rush by sophomore standout Kyah Kimmett who raced a shot into the net from the right side for a 1-0 advantage.
Lauryn Auchmuty evened the contest at 1-1 with 17:39 left as she snagged her teammates pass and rushed through Wildcat defenders before unleashing a straight away shot past Audrey Violet into the Champions Field net.
“Both teams played really hard and there’s a lot of talent on both ends of the field,” said Columbus Grove head coach Kyle Verhoff.
Columbus Grove opened the second half utilizing its team speed for an early goal when an Auchmuty pass found the left foot of Ruth Myers and was rolled slowly just inside the post for a goal at 37:47 and a 2-1 Bulldogs lead.
Verhoff said “After our last game we needed to make changes to get Lauryn Auchmuty and Ruth Myers to use their speed and skills, and this round it worked out in our favor.”
Working through the midfield and off of a give and go from Myers, Auchmuty kicked in her seventh goal of the season with 23:18 on the scoreboard to push Grove on top 3-1.
Auchmuty’s final contribution to the scoring finished off the markers for both squads on the evening as she grabbed a bouncing ball off the turf and raced to set up junior classmate Ella Dotson for an upper 90 shot with 10:57 to lead 4-1.
“I think the second half we came out a little winded. Our girls started strong and organized and I think that caught Grove off guard. They let us play our game at the beginning, but once the game wore on fatigue won over and that’s when Grove found their groove and started making connections in the midfield,” Jefferson coach Megan Etzkorn said.
Etzkorn went on to finish by saying “we are a small team and I am still getting to know the girls and their strengths, but the future is so bright for us, especially as we get fitter with games and understanding each person’s role.”
Jefferson (2-3, 1-1 NWC) will return to action Sept. 5 when the Wildcats travel to Allen East while Grove (2-2, 1-0 NWC) is next in action on the same evening when the Bulldogs travel to Spencerville to battle the Bearcats.
Game Summary
Goals
24:33 – Kyah Kimmett (DJ)
17:39 – Lauryn Auchmuty (CG)
37:47 – Ruth Myers (CG)
23:18 – Lauryn Auchmuty (CG)
10:57 – Ella Dotson (CG)
Assists
2 – Lauryn Auchmuty (CG)
1 – Ruth Myers (CG)
1 – Ella Dotson (CG)
Saves
5 – Erianna Heffner (CG)
8 – Audrey Violet (DJ)
Mike Hirn wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
