OTTOVILLE – Kalida continued their long win streak against rival Ottoville on Monday night as they downed the host Big Green 1-0 in a Putnam County League showdown.
Though both squads were able to work deep into opponent territory and control the ball for portions of the first half neither team found themselves able to work a ball past the opponents keeper.
While Kalida’s sophomore keeper Kassidy Hipsher and Ottoville sophomore Madison Hoersten kept their sheets scoreless by each turning away the couple of shots that came their way the defenses provided a big boost for their team as they continually cleared away the opposing teams runs before they reached the box.
On their second corner kick of the game in the second half the Wildcats finally punched through on the scoreboard with 12:05 remaining for the games only marker.
Senior Wildcat midfielder Kenzie Fortman lofted a ball from the corner towards the busy net and perfectly placed her shot just in front of teammate Allie Stechschulte who headed in her first goal of the season past Ottoville’s Madison Hoersten to take the lead.
Kalida has now defeated Ottoville in 16 of their last 18 meetings and holds a 16-0-2 record during the same span. Ottoville’s last victory over the Wildcats came in a 2007 tournament meeting in which the Big Green were victorious 3-2.
Next up for Ottoville (6-3-1) who fall to 1-2 in Putnam County League games this season is a 5:00 P.M. conference tilt on Thursday evening at Continental and a Saturday 10:00 A.M. meeting against Columbus Grove.
The Wildcats improve to 6-6-2 overall while moving to 2-0-1 in the PCL standings. Saturday morning the Wildcats will travel to Glandorf for a 10:00 A.M. non-league battle with Ottawa Glandorf.
Goals:
12:05 – Allie Stechschulte (Kalida)
Saves:
5 – Kassidy Hipsher (Kalida)
4 – Madison Hoersten (Ottoville)