For the first time in the eight-year history of the Lehman Cavaliers, the girls soccer team won a Division II Sectional title with a 2-1 victory over Bethel Monday at Wayne High School.

Earlier this season, the previously undefeated Lady Bees (18-1) beat Lehman 3-2 in a game that was similar to Monday’s.

“It was a very similar game,” Lehman coach Bill Ramey said. “We knew if we could play them even in the first half that we would have a good chance — we haven’t lost a second half all season.

“This is our first sectional title in eight years. We have been in the finals three times, though.”

And the two teams played perfectly even in the first half, a 0-0 tie.

The field played a big roll in the first-half tie as well. Bethel — which had not played on a field-turf surface all season — and Lehman — which played only its first game of the season on a similar surface — had a little trouble early on controlling bounces.

“I thought that it would be an advantage for us,” Ramey said. “Our top strikers are faster and I think the turf helped us. We did a good job of adjusting to the bounces.”

“The state does some funny things,” Bethel coach Dru Bescoe said. “Both teams play most of the season on grass — we come here for a sectional game, and then it is back to grass after. It is no excuse, it just needs to be thought out better.”While Bethel controlled the first eight minutes of the game and the next five or so were played in the middle of the field, Lehman controlled the rest of the first half, outshooting the Bees 6-2.

The second half was action packed to say the least as Lehman was able to jump out to a 2-0 lead and then hold off the Bees from there.

The Cavaliers’ first goal came off the foot of Maggie Franklin, unassisted. Franklin made it past the Bethel defender to the left and was able to send her shot across the goal to the lower right corner for the score.

That goal gave Lehman plenty of life at the 32:34 mark of the second half as the Cavaliers scored on what was their first shot of the half.

Just a few minutes later the Cavalier went up 2-0 when Kalli Holland scored on an assist from Caitlin Jenkins.

“We played a very good game against a very good Bethel team,” Ramey said. “They were 18-0 for a reason. And for us to come together like we did without our leading scorer (Gretchen Walter) was big.”

Lehman moves on to a 6 p.m. game Thursday at Bellbrook against the Madiera-Blanchester winner in district play.

NOTE: Lehman’s district tournament game Thursday at Bellbrook can be heard on Scoresbroadcast.com.

Lady Jackets lose

to Wayne 3-1

CLAYTON — The Sidney Lady Jackets came up short in their quest for a Division I sectional soccer championship Monday, losing to the Wayne Lady Warriors 3-1 in action at Northmont.

The loss ends Sidney’s season with a final mark of 14-3-2. Wayne, the No. 4 seed, advances with a 12-3-4 record.

“We came out pretty flat,” said Sidney coach Stacey Goffena. “And that’s when they got their first goal. Wayne is pretty fast, and they are used to playing on (artificial) turf. And we’re not, so we had trouble.”

But the Lady Jackets refused to go away, even though Wayne added another goal to take a 2-0 lead at halftime.

“Over the last half of the first half, and into the second half, we played much better,” said Goffena. “Then when we scored our goal to cut it to 2-1, I thought we really had the momentum.”

That goal came off a free kick by Taylor Rickert from about 40 yards out with 17 minutes left in the game.

But before the Lady Jackets could get the tying goal, Wayne added another with eight minutes left to pretty much ice it.

“The second half was back and forth,” goffena said. “And we felt real good after Taylor’s goal. But when they scored again, it kinda took the wind out of our sails.”

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