History-making soccer season ends for Springboro

A four-year starter, Christine Ommert thought she had seen the best of Springboro girls soccer. But she hadn’t witnessed anything like this season’s Panthers.

“It was phenomenal,” recalled Ommert, who’ll take her considerable game to Wright State University next season. “From preseason I looked at our team and I thought ‘I know we’re going to make history this year.’ We’ve come so close to reaching our goal every time. This was the first year I thought, we’re going to make history.”

And sure enough, Springboro did just that, although it ended with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Loveland in a Division I girls high school soccer regional final at Lakota East on Saturday.

Pressuring throughout, Loveland scored off a corner kick when Springboro couldn’t clear the ball. Springboro went on the offensive in the second half, but the Panthers’ only legitimate chance at a goal came with five minutes left on a blast by Bridie Herman that was snared.

“Their keeper made a wonderful save,” Springboro coach Eric Detmer said. “That was an absolute laser (Herman) hit. It was a great save. It’s that time of year; one bounce will do it and they got it and were able to capitalize. Hats off to them. They’re the best team we’ve played.”

Springboro (18-2-2) posted its best record in program history, won its first district title and played in a regional for the first time. But it’s Loveland (17-3-1) that will play the Powell Olentangy Liberty in Tuesday’s state semifinals.

“This is my family and it just hurts for it to be over,” said Ommert amid hugs by teammates.

Indian Hill 2, Carroll 1: Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Carroll's Abby McNamara scored on a second-half header but the Patriots couldn't find net again in a D-II regional final also at Monroe. It was the deepest in postseason play in program history for Carroll (16-5-1). Indian Hill (17-1-3) will play the Granville/Dresden Tri-Valley winner in the state semifinals.

Cin. Summit Country Day 2, Badin 0: Two-time defending state champ Badin trail 2-0 at halftime and it stood up in a D-III regional final also at Lakota East. SCD (22-0-0) is top ranked in the state and ranked 11th nationally. It'll play the Zanesville Rosecrans/Grandview Heights winner in Tuesday's state semifinals. Badin finishes 13-4-2).

Boys soccer

Carroll 2, Wyoming 1: Spencer Kreinbrink scored early in the second half on an assist by David Austria and it held up for the streaking Patriots in a D-II regional final at Monroe. Carroll (18-4-0) will play Columbus DeSales in Wednesday's state semifinals at a neutral site to be determined.

Carroll spotted Wyoming a 1-0 advantage, drew even at halftime on Eli Ramsey’s goal and Kreinbrink tallied the game winner with 36:16 left in the second half. The Patriots have won six postseason games and allowed just two goals. Wyoming finishes 16-4-2.

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