WILMINGTON – On a goal by Autumn Housh in the 66th minute, the Wilmington High School girls soccer team handed New Richmond its first league loss, 1-0, Thursday in a SBAAC American Division match at Alumni Field.
Head coach Kerry Lewis called it the biggest win in school history.
“We beat a superior team,” Lewis said. “But it wasn’t luck. Fortunate, yes, but not luck. We prepared and had a game plan going in. The girls executed our game plan to perfection. We knew New Richmond could control 70 percent of the possession, but we also knew we could counter attack and get behind their defense and that’s exactly what unfolded.”
The win lifts Wilmington’s record to 6-5-2 overall and 4-2-1 in the American Division. New Richmond is 7-4-1 overall and 5-1-1 in the conference.
Batavia is 3-1-2 in the division and plays Wilmington in the regular season finale.
There are three division games remaining for WHS and NR while Batavia has four.
“We control our own destiny with Batavia the last game of the season but we need someone to beat New Richmond,” Lewis said.
The teams played to a 0-0 tie at halftime. Midway through the second half, Katlyn Jamiel “slotted a perfect through ball on the backside” to Housh who beat the Lions goalkeeper in a one-on-one battle for the game-winner.
Karlie Morgan made the Housh goal stand up by recording the shutout in net for Wilmington.
Lewis said Sophie Burt played the best game of varsity career. She made two slide tackles to prevent potential breakaways by the Lions, one in each half.
“In order to beat great teams, your best players have to make big plays,” Lewis said. “Sophie made two huge, game-saving tackles.”
Lewis commended the play of the WHS defense – Burt, Jenna Victor, Suzannah Johns, Claire Greenlees and Petra Bray.
“Rarely did New Richmond get behind our defense,” Lewis said. “Even though we did not control possession, we frequently got behind New Richmond’s defense on the counter-attack. We left some goals on the table but we only needed one because our defense was exceptional.”
The Lions had defeated Wilmington 6-2 earlier in the season.
“New Richmond won every statistical category except the scoreboard, effort, and defensive prowess,” said Lewis. “Skill players and offensive players typically receive all the accolades in soccer, but tonight our defenders stole the show. Claire, Sophie, Jenna, Suzannah, and Karlie put on a defensive clinic.”
Lewis said Jamiel “continues to shine, grow and dominate the midfield.”
“Even though Kate was surrounded and out-numbered by New Richmond midfielders, she still can’t be stopped. Everything we do offensively builds through Kate. Without question, Katlyn is one of the best players in Ohio.”
