DISTRICT RUNNER-UP … Delta’s Abbey Todd works to get past an Ottawa-Glandorf defender. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Joe Blystone
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
METAMORA (October 28, 2023) – Delta faced off with one of the most potent offenses in the state of Ohio, regardless of class in a Division III district final at Evergreen’s Pifer Field, in Ottawa-Glandorf.
For much of the game, the Panthers held fast, allowing just a single goal in the first 52 minutes.
However, the Titans knocked a pair home within a five-minute span in the second half to finally get the pesky Panthers off their back in a 3-0 triumph.
“It’s been a fantastic year,” Panther coach Paige Triana said of the Panthers district runner-up trophy. “We started the year with a loss actually, then won like 10 in a row. Our eight seniors we absolutely love them. They have changed the way we play soccer, and they are a fantastic group of girls.”
In the first six minutes netkeeper Ryllie Taylor came up big, dismissing two Titan scoring attempts by high scoring Myka Aldrich and McKenna Siefker.
With the Panther back line making passing lanes minimal and knocking up fields out of bounds to recover, the Titan scoring chances were reduced.
However, a couple ticks ahead of six minutes on the first half clock, Siefker outbattled a Panther for a loose ball, wheeled a ripped a bullet into the upper half to give OG the only goal they really needed.
Taylor stopped the potent Titan junior striker three times over in the first ten minutes of the second half to keep it a one score contest.
But after a rebound bounced off to the right, Maya Herringhaus was on the doorstep for the rebound and a score with 27:44 left.
The Titans put the match away five minutes later when Siefker ripped another rocket from the 10-yard line over the outstretch arms of Taylor for the Titans third and final goal.
“We changed our formation for this game,” Triana said. “We are playing against an All-American, four more All-District players, they are a fantastic team.”
“We were definitely more defensive and after they got some, we just decided to go for it and see what we could get.”
Delta only got two shots against the Titans Karsyn Erford, the best from Ella Demaline off a free kick with 16 minutes to go. Taylor made seven saves for the Panthers.
“I know five years ago Delta soccer was non-existent, right, to just how we have changed the program and coming into this game we have come a long way.” Triana exclaimed. “We are sad it’s over this year for us, but we hope they go ahead and go win state.” Delta finishes with a school record 13 wins for the season.
Delta (13-5-1) – Shots on Goal: 2; Saves: Ryllie Taylor 7
Ottawa-Glandorf (19-1-0) – Goals: McKenna Siefker 2, Maya Herringhaus; Saves: Karsyn Erford 2