KINNIKINNICK — Just 48 hours after the Miami Trace girls soccer team made program history with their first Sectional tournament victory (1-0 over Hillsboro Tuesday), the Miami Trace Panthers visited Zane Trace High School for a Sectional finals match on their turf field.
The Panthers were more than up to the challenge, playing as fine a match as they have all season, coming away with a 3-0 victory over the Pioneers.
It is the first time a team in the boys’ program has won back-to-back Sectional championships in 29 seasons.
Senior Brett Lewis scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 22:25 remaining to be played in the first half.
The assist came from senior Adam Ginn.
Later in the half, freshman Christian Caldwell entered the game and soon scored, with 3:17 to play, a huge goal for the Panthers. Lewis provided the assist.
Miami Trace kept the shutout intact at the half.
The Panthers continued to play outstanding on the defensive side in the second half as the sun began to set over the field.
Miami Trace scored the final goal of the match, with 5:35 to play, unassisted by Lewis, from about 35 yards.
In goal for Miami Trace, Justin Shoemaker had nine saves. Zane Trace had 17 shots on goal.
Miami Trace had 10 shots on goal and the Pioneers’ keeper logged six saves.
Head coach Josh Thoroman was doused with ice water and was soaked after the team posed for pictures.
“It’s a good cold,” Thoroman said.
“I’m super proud of our guys tonight,” Thoroman said. “Our effort was there, from start to finish. We’re a team that scored 15 goals in 16 games this season; our defense has been our strength all season long. There are a lot of seniors back there.
“We pitched a shutout tonight,” Thoroman said. “And our offense came through with three goals. This was a well-balanced game for us tonight.
“I want to give a shout-out to Geoff Givan, he’s Zane Trace’s coach,” Thoroman said. “This is his third season here and he has done great things with that program. He is one of the most well thought of coaches in the southeast district, from his coaching peers and the high school soccer referees. He’s a class act.”
Miami Trace will play in the District semifinals Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. against the winner of Thursday’s match between the No. 8 Fairland and the No. 1 seed Alexander.
The District tournament is being held at Logan High School next week.
In other Division II boys soccer Sectional final action from Thursday, Hillsboro defeated Washington, 3-0; Circleville shutout Logan Elm, 1-0; Fairfield Union beat McClain, 7-1; Athens slipped past Jackson, 3-2; Marietta downed Unioto, 3-1 and Warren blanked Waverly, 1-0.
