ROSS – The Blanchester girls soccer team ended its season Monday with a 3-0 loss to Ross in a Division II sectional tournament match at RHS.

Coach Kurt Ballinger said the Ladycats (5-9-2 final record) held “an aggressive Ross attack in check throughout the first half with solid team defensive rotations and hustle from all positions to stymie several scoring chances.”

Ballinger noted “last-ditch defending” on several occasions by Olivia Gundler and Savanna Shank” helped Blanchester to a 0-0 halftime result. In addition, BHS goalkeeper Regan Ostermeier was again a stalwart in goal and good “enough to weather a fierce first 20 minutes.” Ostermeier finished the match with 15 saves.

Early in the second half, though, Ross senior Sydnie Guenther split the BHS defense and gave the Rams a 1-0 lead with 33 minutes to play. Guenther made it 2-0 with a goal 10 minutes later. The final Ross goal came in the 71st minute of the match.

Said Ballinger, seniors Sierra Drake, Tatum Kirby and Taylor McQuitty all had strong and gritty performances in their final game for the Ladycats, and Emily Hinkle and Bri Haun both added good games in the midfield and defense, respectively.