Manchester High School girls soccer team eliminated in OHSAA state semifinal
SHELBY — The Manchester High School girls soccer team finished its season as a OHSAA Division III state semifinalist for the second year in a row Tuesday night.
And once again, it was Ottawa-Glandorf that eliminated Manchester from the tournament.
The Titans punched their ticket to the state final for the second year in a row by defeating the previously undefeated Panthers 5-1 at Shelby High School.
"This by far was the best team that we have had at Manchester, but tonight's game doesn't reflect that," Manchester coach Eddie Kissner said. "We were kind of dealt a bad hand with what happened Saturday, but that is still no excuse and we are not going to use that as an excuse. I am so proud of these kids and to be able to coach these seniors the last four years has been an honor and a privilege."
Ottawa-Glandorf topped Manchester 2-0 in a state semifinal last year at Mansfield Madison. The Titans finished as the Division III state runner-up to Cincinnati Country Day.
Ottawa-Glandorf and Cincinnati Country Day will meet once again in the Division III state final at 7 p.m. Friday at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
"They finished their opportunities," Manchester senior Katie Norris said of Ottawa-Glandorf.
Junior Makenna Siefker scored three goals Tuesday to lead the Titans (22-1) past the Panthers (22-1).
Siefker scored one goal in the first half and two goals in the second half. Senior Bri Douglass assisted on Siefker's first goal. Senior Mackenzie Recker assisted on Siefker's other two goals.
"We came out with a lot of energy at the start," said Siefker, who has seven hat tricks this season. "We were so motivated for this game."
Sophomore Delaney Duling scored Ottawa-Glandorf's second goal in the first half.
Norris, a Walsh University recruit, netted Manchester's goal with 19:53 remaining in the second half.
Douglass concluded the scoring with a goal in the final seconds off of a pass from Siefker.
Titans sophomore goalkeeper Karsyn Erford made nine saves.
Previous coverage: Katie Norris, Gina Tipton lead Manchester to 2nd straight OHSAA girls soccer state semi
"Credit Akron Manchester. I think they are a much better team this year than they were last year," Ottawa-Glandorf coach Michelle Maag said. "I don't think the score necessarily shows that. Gosh, Norris is so good with the ball at her foot and she finds a window there to score late in the second half. That was a beautiful finish.
"I think the difference for us today is defensively we were a bit better and I think it gave us some opportunities to counter in behind their defense once we won the ball."
Manchester senior Katie Norris and coach Eddie Kissner reminisce
Norris is one of 13 seniors on the Manchester roster that Kissner will bid farewell to.
Tuesday's Manchester starting lineup featured 10 seniors: Norris, Lauren Gunsett, Gina Tipton, Carrie Clark, Kennedy Boal, Myah Schaber, Rowan Olechnowicz, Grace Soles, Emily Allman and Jaydyn McKinney.
"I am so proud of them," Kissner said. "They have grown and matured together.
"... This was the second year in a row that we got to a state semifinal. We told them in the locker room after the game was over that they have put Manchester on the map as far as being a soccer school. Not just this year or last year. This has been building for several years. Reaching this point two times in a row, I think is a great sign that we can build this community's program up to this level and hopefully maintain it."
Norris, Gunsett, Tipton, Allman, Boal, Soles and Madi Cox were four-year starters.
The only non-senior in Manchester's starting lineup was junior Ellah Craddock.
Manchester compiled a record of 76-6-0 during the past four seasons, outscoring opponents 524-49.
"We never thought we were going to be this good," Norris said. "Coach said in the locker room: "No one knew who Manchester was six years ago [in girls soccer]. Making a name for ourselves is probably the biggest memory that we all can take from this. We put Manchester on the map. We made memories together. Not only did we make it to a state semifinal two years in a row, but along the way we spent every single day together.
"There are so many memories, like funny little things that happen at practice. ... The bus rides home and to games are special. Beating Chippewa in the regional semifinal last year was a big deal for us. That is a big memory."
Norris, 17, said she started playing soccer when she was 4 on a team that included Allman, Boal, Cox, Gunsett, Schaber and Soles.
Norris scored 64 goals this season after scoring 52 goals last season. Norris finished her four-year career with 162 goals, and set the Manchester single-season assist record as a sophomore with 28 when current University of Akron player Emma King was the top scorer for the Panthers.
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Manchester High School girls soccer bows out in OHSAA state semifinal
