HILLSBORO — Hillsboro High School’s boys soccer team advanced to the District tournament on Thursday as they beat the Washington Blue Lions by a score of 3-0.

The defense led the way for the Indians and recorded a shutout in the victory. Senior keeper Joe Rudy was excellent in goal with six saves in the match.

“The back line is starting to communicate excellently. The passing from the back has improved light years from what it was last year. We are actually creating passes off the back line instead of just playing kick and chase ball. Overall, the defense gave great effort and it continues to improve,” Hillsboro head coach John Weber said.

Despite an early goal from Marshall Ward the Indians were unorganized offensively and were unable to put much pressure on the Washington goalie in the first half.

Ward’s goal at 34:49 in the first half gave the Indians a 1-0 cushion that they would carry into halftime.

Hillsboro found their groove in the second half offensively as they began to pressure the Blue Lions defense.

Tyler Loch, a senior, added the second goal of the game for the Indians at the 31:36 mark of the second half to add to the Hillsboro lead.

Junior Noah Brandenberry and senior Cameron Reed teamed up for the third goal as Brandenberry crossed the ball into the box and Reed got his foot on it and redirected the ball into the goal to provide the final score of 3-0.

The Washington keeper had a tremendous game for the Blue Lions as he made several spectacular saves.

Weber said, “The first half we were very rusty. We started to play well about ten minutes into the second half we started to buckle down and pass the ball.

“The goal keeper for Washington Court House, (Darion Streitenberger) my gosh, he made about three or four saves that kept it from being worse than it was,” said Weber.

With the win the Indians advance to the District semifinals on Tuesday at Logan. Hillsboro will face Marietta. The Tigers defeated Unioto Thursday, 3-1.

Miami Trace will face the No. 1 seed Alexander Thursday at 5 p.m. at Logan High School.

Several Washington Blue Lion players are pictured during the Sectional finals match at Hillsboro Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (l-r); Jack Leubbe (11), Isaiah Barden (18), Max Schroeder (7), Grant Kuhlwein (10), Allan Schreckengaust (43), Alan Bailey (13), Jordan Behm (12) and Nate Horton (1).

http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2017/10/web1_Blue-Lion-soccer-at-Hillsboro-10-19-2017.jpgSeveral Washington Blue Lion players are pictured during the Sectional finals match at Hillsboro Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. (l-r); Jack Leubbe (11), Isaiah Barden (18), Max Schroeder (7), Grant Kuhlwein (10), Allan Schreckengaust (43), Alan Bailey (13), Jordan Behm (12) and Nate Horton (1).