Slike’s 11th shutout powers Tigers to first district crown

October 27, 2017 at 12:07a.m.

BOARDMAN

Goalkeeper Lex Slike’s 11th shutout of the season lifted No. 1-seeded Springfield to a 3-0 victory over No. 2 seed United in Thursday’s Division III girls soccer district championship game at Spartan Stadium.

Cierra Latronica scored two goals and Haley LaMorticella one. It’s the first district crown for the Tigers and came exactly 10 years after their maiden season as a varsity sport.

“[Three] years ago, we had 16 freshmen and [now] we have 16 seniors that stuck it out, worked hard and now find themselves as the school’s first district champions,” Tigers head coach Justin Kosek said. “They never miss school, never miss a practice and they usually beat me to practice.

“We have three captains on this team, but have 16 tremendous leaders.”

The Tigers struck first at 23:49 of the opening half when Latronica notched her 37th goal of the season.

“It was an amazing assist by Jenna Hatton in that she hit the ball directly to me and I was able to bury it,” Latronica said. “It was good to be able to get on the board first and work with the lead.”

LaMorticella’s goal with 5:09 remaining in the opening half stretched the lead to 2-0. It was her 25th of the campaign.

“Our midfielder got the ball to me and I went through two defenders down the left side,” LaMorticella said. “I saw an opening and took the shot.

“This is a very exciting win for us because it’s our first ever district championship and first ever regional appearance.”

The Tigers (17-2) swept through the Austintown district, defeating St. Thomas Aquinas (7-0) and Lordstown (5-1).

The Tigers will enter regional action with a 13-game winning streak and a 16-1 goals advantage in the postseason. They’ve outscored opponents 151-19 on the season.

“We have some very good players on defense and that makes my job so much easier,” Slike said. “We’ve worked hard on defense and continue to work on our defense during practice. All of us have worked really hard the past four years to get to this point and that’s why this was a very special win for the entire team.”

Latronica’s second goal game extended the Tigers’ margin to 3-0 at 37:11 of the second half.

“I crossed the line and the ball bounced off their goalie,” she said. “I thought that it went in the first time, but gave it a second kick just to be sure.”

United Local (15-3-1) had their six-game win streak snapped. The Golden eagles’ last loss was Oct. 10 at the hands of the Tigers, 2-1.

“We struggled with the turf tonight, didn’t get to the ball enough and didn’t possess it enough as well,” Golden Eagles head coach Sarah Hodgson said. “I am proud of our girls.

“They never gave up and continued to fight,” she said. “I have a lot of respect for Springfield Local and wish them well at regionals.”

The Golden Eagles end their season having outscored the opposition 65-17.

The Tigers will meet the winner of the Elyria district (Elyria Catholic or Wellington) Tuesday at Green High School.

Game time is 7 p.m.