Shawnee’s Tayma Jmiai (12) and Bryan’s Gabby Mossburg battle for the ball during a Wednesday Division II district semifinal at Elida.
Don Speck | The Lima News
ELIDA – Shawnee and Bryan met Wednesday evening at the Elida middle school soccer complex just weeks after meeting in the regular season. Bryan outdueled the Indians in the first matchup but was unable to put down Shawnee twice.
A first half goal by Kamryn Morris gave Shawnee the momentum it needed to derail three-seeded Bryan 2-1.
“It is always important when you get the first goal. Our main objective was to win the midfield, but they had a couple defenders that caused havoc for us,” Shawnee head coach Caroline O’ Brien said.
With just over 13 minutes remaining in the first half, Shawnee’s Addison Neth set up for a corner kick that resulted in a goal. Morris played Neth’s corner kick perfectly into the net to put the Golden Bears on their heels.
Shawnee halted any attack Bryan had to offer in the second half, limiting the Bears to a pair of shots on goal. Shawnee keeper Chloe Nance blocked four total shots en route to her seventh shutout of the season.
The defensive effort led Shawnee to a breakaway opportunity and Morris again capitalized to extend the Indians’ lead to two goals with just six minutes to play.
“We just tried to adjust to what they threw at us,” O’Brien said.
Bryan spent most of the final 20 minutes on the attack but just could not crack the Indians’ code until it was too late. Ella Voigt found the net with 1:24 to play for the lone Bryan goal.
Shawnee improved to 8-4-6 and advanced to Saturday’s 2 p.m. district final match against Celina. Bryan concluded its season at 13-4.
Nate Stidham wrote this story for LimaScores.com. Reach The Lima News sports department at 567-242-0451.
