COLUMBUS – Last season Elizabeth Zimmerman broke the hearts of Ottawa Glandorf, this season it was her twin sister Megan who gave Cincinnati Country Day their second straight title with a 1-0 victory and the division 3 title.
Working off of one of their six first half corner kicks the Nighthawks utilized the foot of last years’ hero Elizabeth Zimmerman to lift a high cross to twin sister Megan in front of a crowded net who promptly headed it home with 21:27 left before the half for what would prove to be the evenings lone goal.
“We came up short tonight against an ultra talented Cincinnati Country Day team. They were heavy on the attack in the first twenty minutes and we had a hard time breaking through against their pressure early in the game. Unfortunately they generated enough chances early and finished a corner with a fantastic header by Zimmerman” said Ottawa Glandorf coach Michelle Maag.
Tasked with finding a single goal to even the score the Titans subjected CCD sophomore keeper Alyssa Easter to multiple dangerous sequences but came up empty against the keeper and at times her defense who stopped each opportunity at the last possible second.
“We found ways to generate more chances in the second half and I liked the fight we showed through the full 80 minutes” said Maag.
Both Ottawa Glandorf and Country Day finish their seasons with a 22-2 record. The 22 victories by the two schools tie for the 2nd most amount of wins in a single campaign in OHSAA history.
Longtime Nighthawk coach Theresa Hirschauer who won her 450th career game on Sept 20th this season on the road at Newport (KY) Central Catholic now has back to back gold trophies and sees her troops finish the tournament outscoring opponents 37-0 and finishing with 13 straight wins.
Ottawa Glandorf’s talented nine member senior class ends their run at OGHS with a record of 78-10-5 with a trio of trips to the state finals and a number of program records that includes a 15-match win streak and 125 goals scored. Defensively the Titans allowed a program low eight opponent goals while helping sophomore keeper Karsyn Erford tie the record of season shutouts with 19, 2nd most in OHSAA single season history.
“We will miss this senior class immensely, they have carried our program to new heights and is a group of nine girls that has shown hard work pays off as well as demonstrating you can find joy in every moment while also providing great leadership” said Maag on her outgoing players. “We owe so much of our success to these girls, I cannot thank them enough for what they’ve dine for me, our program, and our community”.
Country Day sports 13 seniors including Toledo signee Sydney Hardesty, Depauw commit Isabel Ramirez, and East Carolina recruit Piper Farris and finish with two titles and a 75-9-5 mark.
Goals:
21:27 – Megan Zimmerman (CCD)
Assists:
1 – Elizabeth Zimmerman (CCD)
Shots/SOG:
16/9 – CCD
15/3 – OG
Saves:
7 – Karsyn Erford (OG)
3 – Alyssa Easter (CCD)