WOW!!!!  That was exhausting.

Stay tuned for write up in the morning.....wanted to post score tonight though!

#GOBIRDS!!!!

DIXIE RUNS OVER THEIR CHANCE AT THE REGION FINALS

The sky looked very angry on Wednesday night but what looked more angry was the look on the Dixie players faces.  They came in smelling blood and felt like they could over power Highlands with their aggressive style of play versus the smaller physique Birds. It has been almost 10 years to the day since Dixie last beat the Birds (Oct 15, 2012 in PKs in the 9th Region Tournament).

The Birds and Colonels play a really tight first half with seemingly equal possession time with really no real threats on either side.

First real big issue I had in the game with around 15-20 minutes into the game so half way, there was a high ball in the air where Kate Jamie (HHS Midfielder) was about ready to try to possess, and then here comes Samantha Berman (Dixie defender) who goes thru Kate Jamie a la Ronnie Lott style (if this was football it was very close to targeting), de-cleats Kate who goes down hard.  Ref blows whistle for the foul checks on Kate whose on the ground.  During this check in, you could hear a pin drop the crowd was quiet.  The next thing you hear which absolutely shocked me!  I want to be very clear about this b/c I have defended him on this forum COUNTLESS of times after his departure from HHS.  Dixie Assistant Coach Alex Dean proceeds to yell out to Samantha Berman "Way to play thru the ball, its OK".  I about lost it.  During a game where we had a moment of silence for a young student athlete that lost her life, we have a coach who applauded their player by recklessly running thru their opponent who at the time was laying hurt on the field.  Very classy!!!! Shake My Head.....  Karma is going to haunt them later....O after the Ref made sure Kate was cared for he did rightfully book Samantha with a Yellow Card.

No other issues or instances to really discuss the rest of the way.  The half ended at a 0-0 tie.

Then the 2nd half started and the real fun began b/c the next 10 minutes were exciting and where the goals were scored.  Ashtyn Ivey received a thru ball from Midfield, which by the way she was "ON" in my opinion, seen Ashton's sweet video on her Twitter feed.  Ashtyn was able to sprint to the box and put a nice strike on the ball past the outreached arms of GK Hinegardner.  Dixie 1 Highlands 0

Shortly after that goal still with roughly just over 30 min, you heard another interesting comment out of the Dixie staff, that they weren't going to play any offense.....quote "NO MORE OFFENSE GIRLS".  Like seriously you are going to play only D for 30 minutes and hold on for dear life....interesting.

Luckily for the Birds they had other ideas, they were able to secure a Corner Kick, which kicked into the box where Franny Smith got ran over to get a PK rewarded to the Birds.  Birds lone Senior Starter Anna Melson took the PK and blasted it to the right side of the net in perfect execution.  Dixie 1 Highlands 1

I think that really ignited a lot of energy for the Birds b/c the last 15-20 minutes Highlands was attacking and attacking and attacking the Dixie defense, but was just hitting off the mark barely.  You thought one of these was finally going to happen but it never did!  End of Regulation: Highlands 1 Dixie 1

We are going to play some extra soccer.  KHSAA rules is two 5 minute OT periods, first goal ends the game regardless if there is still time on the 5 minute periods.  After that you move to PKs.

Luckily, Highlands didn't need much extra to seal this deal.  Within a minute and a half Kate Jamie was right outside the left side of the 18 box standing in great shielding position to settle and trap and incoming pass and Senior defender Sloane Sturm just literally comes over and "Runs right thru her", causing the direct kick from Ava Meyer who placed the ball right at the top of the 6 box where Laney Smith literally DRILLS the shot into the back of the net for the WIN.

So glad for the style of play to "Run thru the opposing players".  Great win for the Birds.

Now the Birds are soaking in Ice Buckets trying to prepare for the Pandas of NDA tomorrow.

GO BIRDS!!!!

 

Here is the WCPO video highlighting the game which includes the OT foul and free kick that won the game for the Birds:

 

Was that block or charge?

There's a reason Dixie hasn't won a region, and it isn't due to the lack of talent over the years.  Their style of play can pile on the goals against lesser quality teams.  They will not beat the top tier teams with their long ball and physical play mentality.  It just doesn't work against quality opponents.

In addition to the winning goal that was a nice interview with Laney Smith talking about her grandma and the win. 

1 minute ago, nees1212 said:

There's a reason Dixie hasn't won a region, and it isn't due to the lack of talent over the years.  Their style of play can pile on the goals against lesser quality teams.  They will not beat the top tier teams with their long ball and physical play mentality.  It just doesn't work against quality opponents.

Not only not winning the region but to not even get to the Region Finals.  In preparation for tomorrows match up I went back thru ALL Region 9 Tournaments since the alignment that brought HHS and NDA into it in 2012, DIXIE has ONLY, let me repeat that again for the people in the back ONLY made it to the FINALS ONCE (in 2020 after upsetting NDA in the Semi's).

4 minutes ago, FrankNicodemus said:

Not only not winning the region but to not even get to the Region Finals.  In preparation for tomorrows match up I went back thru ALL Region 9 Tournaments since the alignment that brought HHS and NDA into it in 2012, DIXIE has ONLY, let me repeat that again for the people in the back ONLY made it to the FINALS ONCE (in 2020 after upsetting NDA in the Semi's).

And that 2020 team was talented enough to win it that year.  They were just never allowed to play soccer.