BLANCHESTER – Battling the SBAAC National Division leaders, the Blanchester girls soccer team rallied but fell short 3-2 Tuesday night against Bethel-Tate at Barbour Memorial Field.

The Senior Night loss puts the Ladycats at 4-7-2 overall and 3-4-2 in the division.

Bethel-Tate is 7-1-2 in the National and 10-3-2 in all games.

Tatum Kirby led the BHS charge in the second half after the Ladycats fell behind 3-0 just shortly after halftime.

Blanchester coach Kurt Ballinger said Kirby’s “hustle play” put his squad on the scoreboard at 3-1.

“As Bethel played the ball back to their keeper, Kirby raced up to put pressure on the goalie, stole the ball and passed it into the net, just beating back the sprinting defense,” Ballinger said.

Kirby then assisted on the next goal by Sierra Drake with 15 minutes remaining in the match. Ballinger said the Ladycats had several chances late in the match but were unable to net the equalizer.

Regan Ostermeier had 12 saves. Defender Olivia Gundler “played a gritty second half,” said Ballinger. Becca Kratzer provided a spark with her hustle in the second half, the coach pointed out.

BHS seniors Drake, Tatum, Taylor McQuitty, Ashlee Baker and Rongyu Wu were honored prior to the game.