Fenwick routs Zane Trace in regional soccer semi 6-0

Courtney Ross sparks Falcons’ offense; Pioneers don’t cross midfield in first half.

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By Skip Weaver, Staff Writer Updated 8:48 AM Thursday, November 5, 2009

FAIRBORN — The Division II regional semifinal high school girls soccer match between defending state champion Fenwick and Chillicothe Zane Trace was about as one-sided as a game can get.

The Falcons (12-3-5) dominated from the start en route to a 6-0 victory Wednesday night, Nov. 4, at Fairborn High School.

With the win, Fenwick advances to the regional championship at noon Saturday against Columbus Bexley, which beat Warsaw River View 5-0 on Wednesday, at a location to be determined.

Fenwick outshot its opponent 33-1 as the Pioneers failed to cross midfield until the second half.

“We played conservative in the first half,” said Zane Trace coach George “Bud” Sauer, whose team is just in its eighth year as a program. The Pioneers (12-5-3) won their first-ever district championship to reach the regional semifinals.

“We wanted to sit back some in the first half, but they stretched us out and unhinged our defense,” Sauer said. “Fenwick is an awesome team, and they did a great job.

“At the beginning of the season, we set a goal of winning a district title, and we did that,” he said. “We’re still in the building process, but I’m very proud of this team.”

Fenwick senior Courtney Ross played a huge role in the unhinging of Zane Trace’s defense. She worked hard around the baseline, and with 10 minutes, 52 seconds left in the first half, she took a shot that deflected off a defender into the goal for a 1-0 lead.

That was all the Falcons needed.

“It really started our momentum,” Ross said. “We’re always nervous to start a game, but once we get that first goal, we get more pumped up.”

“Courtney is a dangerous weapon,” Fenwick coach Tom McEwan said. “She got around those corners and placed some beautiful balls. She did what she is supposed to do. It’s a shame we couldn’t reward her (with a goal).”

Freshman Meghan Blank extended the lead to 2-0 before the half ended, and Sydney Neal punched in two goals within two minutes of each other to start the second half, one of them on a penalty kick.

Lauren Hinton and Emily Schaffer each added a goal late in the contest for the final margin.

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