10/22/16 - Wildcats Fall to Wyoming in Tournament Play
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats suffered defeat to the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday, bringing their successful season to a close. Led by all-state player Kayla Hampton, Wyoming was too much for the Wildcats as they won by a score of 11-0. Wyoming put on a display of skill and shooting finesse in route to five first half goals and did not let up in the second half. Despite the loss, Blanchester midfielders Emma Gundler and Tatum Kirby played a strong game, as did keeper Chloe Caplinger. Blanchester ends their season with a record of 9-2-7.
10/18/16 - Caplinger and Drake lead Wildcats to Tournament Victory Over Batavia
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats opened up tournament play with a 1-0 victory over fellow SBAAC member Batavia Bulldogs. Chloe Caplinger made her first appearance in goal for the Cats this season, taking over for the injured Regan Ostermeier, and put in a dominant effort with 8 saves to earn the shutout. Blanchester found success early with dangerous through balls past a high Batavia defensive line, but were not able to convert the chances into goals. Substitute Sierra Drake changed the Cats fortunes, however, as her first touch of the game was sublime. Immediately upon entering the game with 27 minutes left in the half, Drake received an Emma Gundler pass and shot from one touch at the edge of the box to beat the Batavia keeper and give the Cats a lead they would not cede. The first half ebbed and flowed, seeing possession begin to lean toward Batavia, but the more dangerous efforts at goal taken by Blanchester. The second half script read much like the first half, and the Cats defense held strong for their tenth team shutout of the season. Brynne Cain stood out defensively for the Cats. Coach Kurt Ballinger commented that, "All season I have praised the depth of this team as its biggest strength, and that depth paid off in a big way today with Caplinger and Drake stepping up in a big way in a high pressure situation." The Cats improve to 9-1-7 on the season and take on Wyoming in the next round of the tournament. The win marks the first tournament victory for Blanchester since 2010.
10/15/16 - Lindsey salvages tie for Lady Wildcats against Goshen
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats celebrated senior night on Thursday and came away with a tie against the Goshen Warriors by a score of 1-1. The Wildcats opened up the game with intensity and looked sure to score as they generated several one-on-one chances with the goalie in the first 10 minutes of the contest. Their attempts would go wayward, however, as Blan lacked a finishing touch, and Goshen began to play themselves back into the game as half-time approached. The teams started the second half knotted up at zero, but Goshen slowly turned into the aggressor. After a failed clearance by Blan with 25 minutes remaining, the Warriors followed up the mishit and scored the first goal of the game to take the lead. The Wildcats pressed to score, and with 13 minutes to go found their response. Senior Merri Lindsey leveled the game with a header off of a well executed corner kick with the assist going to Emily Hinkle. Neither team could change the scoreboard in a frantic final five minutes and the game ended in a tie. Regan Ostermeier had 4 saves in goal for the Wildcats on the night, and Lindsey's goal was much deserved as she played a brilliant game for the Cats. At the end of the game Blanchester honored their ten seniors; Emma Gundler, Chloe Caplinger, Mckenzie Hamm, Mckenzie Miller, Merri Lindsey, Cassidy Todd, Sydney Scott, Brynne Cain, Savana Greene, and Bekah Sams. Blan moves to 8-1-7 on the season and take on Batavia at home on Tuesday night in the opening round of tournament play.
10/11/16 - Blanchester Lady Wildcats shutout Fairfield
In what has become their calling card this season, the Lady Wildcats shut out the Fairfield Lions on Tuesday night to earn a 1-0 victory. The Wildcats held a dominating edge in possession in the first half, but a goal eluded them throughout the first 30 minutes. Blan finally capitalized and put away the decisive goal on a play started by Regan Ostermeier's long goal punt with 9 minutes to go in the half that reached the opposing goal box off of one bounce. Sydney Scott raced down the kick and was able to get just enough on the pass to set up Taylor McQuitty who slotted home the shot for her team leading 7th goal of the season. Although the second half saw the Lions begin to even out possession, the Wildcats tried and true formula of a dominant defense paired with Ostermeier in goal did the trick again, as the Cats held strong for their 9th shutout of the season. Emily Hinkle, Emma Gundler and Merri Lindsey played a stellar game in midfield for the Cats in their bid to hold the advantage in possession. Ostermeier had five saves in goal for the Cats. The win improves Blan's record to 8-1-6 on the season, and the Cats take on Goshen at 5 on Thursday and will be holding senior night festivities before the boys team plays at 7.
10/8/16 - Hinkle and McQuitty Hat Tricks Powers Cats Past Fayetteville
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats found their scoring stroke on Saturday against the Fayetteville Rockets, taking the victory by a score of 9-1. The Cats were led by Emily Hinkle and Taylor McQuitty, both of which scored a hat trick (3 goals) on the afternoon. McQuitty started the scoring after tracking down an Emma Gundler through ball and beat the keeper with a strong blast to the back corner of the goal. Gundler helped generate another scoring opportunity a mere 25 seconds later after finding a sprinting Emily Hinkle in the box who finished it to push the score to 2-0. The Cats were caught sleeping on a throw-in and conceded a goal to Fayetteville of a long distance shot to tighten up the game. Blan responded well, however, and rattled off two more goals before half-time. Emma Gundler stole an attempted clearance and weaved through the defense to nab her fourth goal of the year, and Hinkle added her second on the evening from a Merri Lindsey assist. The second half was all Wildcats, as Hinkle finished off her hat trick with a deft shot to the back post. McQuitty scored both of her second half goals off of volleys from balls out of the air, one coming from a corner kick. Mckenzie Hamm added her second goal of the season with a laser from the edge of the box off of a hard angle. The goal of the game from Sally Schaeffer, who sent a shot from just inside midfield that floated above an unsuspecting keeper for her first career goal. Regan Ostermeier and Brianna Haun each had one save in goal for the Cats. Chloe Caplinger had two assists, Gundler had two, and Hinkle and Lindsey had one apiece. The Cats improved their record to 7-1-6 on the season.
The Wildcats also earned a share of the SBAAC National Division title and were named co-champs with Williamsburg after Williamsburg defeated Bethel-Tate on Thursday. The title is the third league title for Blanchester girls soccer all-time in the SBAAC and the first for Williamsburg.
The Wildcats also earned a share of the SBAAC National Division title and were named co-champs with Williamsburg after Williamsburg defeated Bethel-Tate on Thursday. The title is the third league title for Blanchester girls soccer all-time in the SBAAC and the first for Williamsburg.
10/5/16 - Ostermeier Shines as Wildcats Play Georgetown to a Stalemate
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats finished up their league play with a scoreless draw against Georgetown, leaving them unbeaten in league play with a record of 5-0-5. Although the scoreboard remained untouched, the game featured several tense moments both in the attack and defense for the Wildcats. Each team had 8 shots on goal, with Sydney Scott and Chloe Caplinger missing just wide of the goal on separate occasions. The star of the game was Blan keeper Regan Ostermeier who twice stonewalled the Georgetown attackers during one on one opportunities. The second of those chances came in the dying moments of the game when Ostermeier disregarded all notions of her personal safety to sprawl out for a save to preserve the tie. Ostermeier had six saves overall on the night to earn her 8th shutout of the season. Defender Mckenzie Miller added a strong effort to aid in the shutout, and Blanchester moves to 6-1-6 with the result.
10/4/16 - Gundler leads Cats past Bethel
Emma Gundler broke a second half deadlock with her third goal of the year to give the Blanchester Wildcats a 1-0 lead over Bethel Tate that the Cats would not relinquish. The first half of the game was nestled in the favor of the Bethel Tate Tigers as they handled possession and fired shots at goal, testing the nerves of the Blan defense and keeper Regan Ostermeier. Ostermeier was up to the task, however, as she parried away several near goals to keep the score knotted at zeroes at half. Gundler's heroics came immediately after the break from a Merri Lindsey assist that split the defense. Gundler sprinted past a crowd to corral the pass and deftly beat the keeper for the decisive score. The score reinvigorated the Wildcats, and by holding possession, Blan was able to limit the Tiger offense to fewer quality chances. Savana Greene patrolled the defensive midfield with a dominant second half, and Ostermeier tallied 8 saves in her 7th shutout of the season. Blanchester improves to 6-1-5 on the season and 5-0-4 in league play. The Wildcats play at Georgetown on Wednesday night and can capture the SBAAC National Division title with a victory.
9/29/16 - Wildcats Draw in Clash of League Leaders
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats took on the the Williamsburg Wildcats in a matchup of the first and second place teams in the SBAAC National division on Thursday night at Barbour Memorial Field. With command of the league at stake, both teams put on a high quality effort amidst soggy conditions and a lighting delay. After postponing the start of the match to ride out the storm, Williamsburg scored first five minutes into the game off a Hope Schaljo chip shot from outside the box that slid in just under the crossbar. Blan did not take long to respond, however, as they were awarded a penalty kick after a Williamsburg handball in the box. Sophomore Emily Hinkle calmly placed the spot kick to the lower right hand corner to knot the game back up at one goal apiece. Both teams traded counter attacks in the slick conditions throughout the game, and keeper Regan Ostermeier was called on to make a spectacular one on one save after Williamsburg had broken through alone after a defensive slip. Blanchester took 8 shots to Williamsburg's nine, with near misses fired by Sierra Drake and Taylor McQuitty for Blan. Ostermeier had four saves in the game, and the stout defensive effort was led by Savana Greene. The game was suspended with 6 minutes left to play in the second half due to inclement weather, and as OHSAA rules stipulate, a suspended game that reaches the second half counts as a completed game. Blanchester moves to 5-1-5 on the year, and remains in first place in the SBAAC National division with a league record of 4-0-4.
9/27/16 - Blan Ties CNE in Scoreless Draw
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats ended up in a scoreless draw on Tuesday against the CNE Rockets. Blanchester began the game with a few solid chances at goal before things leveled off and the two evenly matched teams settled into a defensive affair. Blan keeper Regan Ostermeier earned her fourth straight shutout and sixth of the year by saving seven shots on goal. Both halves played out in a similar manner, as neither team could find a breakthrough goal or much breathing room in the box for a close range shot at goal. Mckenzie Hamm spearheaded the stiff Wildcat defense in the shutout, and Taylor McQuitty had an active and quality game on the wing. Blan moves to 5-1-4 on the season and take on Williamsburg on Thursday night.
9/22/16 - Blan Overwhelms Felicity 7-0
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats defeated Felicity on Thursday night by a score of 7-0 in a repeat of the scoreline from their first encounter this season. Blanchester started slow, but gained their stride after senior captain Emma Gundler tracked down a loose ball and fired a long shot to beat the out of position keeper to tack on the first goal of the game with 21 minutes remaining in the half. Moments later Blan struck again with a goal from Emily Hinkle, who showcased a dribbling exhibition through the Felicity defense before firing her shot. Senior captain Chloe Caplinger added a goal from a Sydney Scott assist, and fellow senior captain Mckenzie Hamm grabbed her first goal of the season off an assist from Gundler following a well executed corner kick play. Blan entered the half leading at 4-0 and it was more of the same in the final 40 minutes, as Taylor McQuitty scored two second half goals, her first from another Gundler assist, and her second after tracking down a loose ball from a scrum in front of the goal. The scoring was rounded out after Sierra Drake volleyed a Brianna Wilson cross to the back corner for her 6th goal of the season. Regan Ostermeier earned her 3rd straight shutout and fifth overall on the year. Blan improves their record to 5-1-3 on the season with the victory.
9/20/16 - Blan Lady Wildcats Earn Shutout Victory Against Norwood
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats downed the Norwood Indians in a high intensity league crossover game by a score of 2-0 on Tuesday night in Norwood. Blan jumped out to an early lead as senior Sydney Scott opened her account with her first goal of the season by tracking down a loose ball following a corner kick from Chloe Caplinger thirteen minutes into the game. Blan employed a suffocating defensive game plan led by a stellar performance by Mckenzie Hamm to harass Norwood into turnovers and tough chances on goal. The midfield trio of Emily Hinkle, Emma Gundler, and Merri Lindsey made threatening attacks with the ball at their feet to keep Norwood on the defensive throughout the first half. Although in control, Blan needed a knockout punch to close out the game in the second frame, and found it through picturesque combination play, culminating with Hinkle's first goal of the year as well. Sierra Drake beat her man to the end line to find Caplinger with a nifty back pass, who made the extra pass earn an assist to a waiting Hinkle, whose clinical finish put the final score at 2-0. Regan Ostermeier claimed her fourth shutout of the season with another strong effort which included six saves. Coach Ballinger commented that, "It was great to put in a full 80 minutes of high quality team soccer against a tough opponent as we head back into the second half of league play." Blanchester improves their record to 4-1-3 on the season.
9/15/16 - Lady Wildcats draw with Batavia
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats soccer team came away with a scoreless draw against Batavia in SBAAC crossover play on Thursday night. The score did not belie the product on the field, however, as the teams combined for some quality play and razor thin misses. In the early moments of the game Emily Hinkle found herself through the defense with a nifty run and placed a shot to the back corner of the goal that was finished off by Sydney Scott. The goal was called back for offsides, however, but the Cats continued to press up and control the action. After an initial attacking burst by the Cats, the game settled in to a more defensive affair with neither side claiming too much control of the possession, and the game entered halftime scoreless. During the second half Batavia increased the pressure on the Wildcat defense, but they could not beat keeper Regan Ostermeier who put in a dominant effort in goal for the Cats. Ostermeier recorded five saves in the shutout, but cut out many more opportunities with her positioning and willingness to come out and end plays before they became a threat. The final fifteen minutes became a frenetic affair as the game opened up and both teams saw attempts on goal just miss their target, keeping the game scoreless until the final whistle. Scott played a great game and looked dangerous and destined to score all game long with her speed that exploited the Bulldog defense, and Hinkle commanded the midfield with aplomb. The Cats see their record move to 3-1-3 on the year with the draw.
9/8/16 - Blanchester falls to New Richmond
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats soccer team suffered their first loss of the season to New Richmond by a score of 7-0. New Richmind began the game swarming Blan on the attack, but the defense recovered and held strong for the first twenty minutes of the half. However, the Lions cracked the defensive code and used a flurry of crosses to score 5 goals in a span of fifteen minutes to end the first half. After the break the Wildcats regrouped and began finding their own passing lanes as Mckenzie Hamm and Sydney Scott pieced together a solid attacking combination and had their attempts on goal well saved by the New Richmond keeper. New Richmond continued to be dangerous with the ball and added two more goals with 13 minutes and 8 minutes to go in the game. Blanchester keeper Regan Ostermeier had 9 saves in goal for the Blan and midfielder Brianna Wilson provided a nice spark in the second half for the Cats. Blanchester moves to 3-1-2 on the season with the loss.
9/6/16 - Lady Wildcats tie Georgetown
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats soccer team tied Georgetown by a score of 1-1 on Tuesday night in a showdown of the two teams at the top of the SBAAC National Division. Blanchester came out roaring early and generated several close chances and held the better end of possession for the first half, but could not finish any of their opportunities. The Ladycats peppered shots at goal from all angles at the edge of the box, but were unable to work the Georgetown keeper as most sailed high or wide. The teams entered half at a scoreless draw, and the theme continued into the second half. Georgetown began showing signs of life, and with 29 minutes to play, Georgetown's Amaya Lovell took advantage of a Blan defensive miscue to put the Lady G-Men up 1-0. Blan did not wait long to respond, as thirty seconds later Sierra Drake powered home a tough shot to the bottom left of the goal under the keeper to tie up the game. Emily Hinkle served a through ball for the assist on Drake's goal. The Ladycats pressed to fully complete the comeback, but the theme of missed shots continued as the game ended in a stalemate. The Ladycats outshot Georgetown 24 to 6. Regan Ostermeier had one save in goal for the Cats and senior Emma Gundler played a strong game in the midfield in her return from injury. Drake's goal was her fifth of the season and third straight game with a goal. Blan moves to 3-0-2 on the season and takes on New Richmond on Thursday night at home.
9/1/16 - Drake powers Blan past Bethel-Tate
Sierra Drake's brace (2 goals) powered the Blanchester Lady Wildcats past league opponent Bethel-Tate on Thursday night on route to a 2-0 scoreline. Blanchester opened up the game with high energy and pace, and within the first two minutes Chloe Caplinger sent a long cross to Drake who took a deft touch and fired the ball to the back post for her first goal of the night. Drake struck again from nearly the same angle after a give-and-go combination with Merri Lindsey to give the Wildcats all the cushion they would need to finish out the game. Blan enjoyed the better end of possession for the remainder of the half and held Bethel to few chances on goal. The second half saw a change in momentum, however, as Bethel began to string together more attacking play, placing Blan on the defensive. The defense was up to the task as Mckenzie Hamm and keeper Regan Ostermeier kept Bethel at bay and out of the net with a tireless effort. Ostermeier had five saves in the shutout victory. Substitute Sydney Scott provided a spark for the Wildcat offense and stretched the Bethel defense with her speed throughout the contest. The Cats improved to 3-0-1 on the season.
8/30/16 - Lady Wildcats tie Williamsburg
The Blanchester Lady Wildcats took on league opponent Williamsburg on Tuesday night and came away with a 1-1 tie. Williamsburg took control of possession early and generated several scoring opportunities early on the half. Burg finally broke through after Hope Schaljo made a long run through the defense and chipped the charging keeper to take a 1-0 lead. Blanchester weathered the early storm and evened the score at one apiece with 7 minutes left in the half off of Sierra Drake's second goal of the season. Drake made a dangerous attack down the left flank and was able to slot home a powerful shot from distance for the tying goal. Blan had an opportunity to take the lead with a penalty kick late in the half, but the chance was pushed just right of the post. The second half saw more chances for both teams to take the lead, but Burg continued to hold the majority of possession as well as the more threatening attack, but the score held for the remainder of the game. Blan keeper Regan Ostermeier had 12 saves in goal and senior Merri Lindsey played another strong game in the midfield for the Cats. The result moves Blan to 2-0-1 on the season.
8/25/16 - Lindsey and Sams give Ladycats 2-1 Win over CNE
The Blanchester Ladycats soccer team took on league rivals CNE on Thursday night, and were leading the game 2-1 before it had to be suspended with 15 minutes to go after a field light malfunction. The Ladycats came out roaring with an inspired first half, claiming the lead on a goal from Merri Lindsey. Lindsey finished off a rebound following a corner kick five minutes into the first half, and Blan continued to attack. While the Ladycats controlled the flow of the first half they took 11 shots on goal compared to 3 for CNE. After the half, CNE responded well and took control of possession, forcing the Ladycat defense to respond to the pressure. The Rockets found an equalizer with a 18 minutes remaining off a corner kick that bounced around the goal box in a scrum before being slotted home. The Ladycats responded less than two minutes later with a stunning goal from Bekah Sams, who flicked a header back post for the lead off of a Chloe Caplinger looping cross. With fifteen minutes remaining, the visitor side field lights malfunctioned and went dark, so play was suspended. Regan Ostermeier had 5 saves in goal for the Wildcats. The Ladycats benefited from the inspired play of Lindsey in the midfield as well as Mckenzie Hamm and Mckenzie Miller defensively. Ohio soccer rules stipulate that any time a complete half is played and conditions make it impossible to play, the game is complete and the score is final. The result places Blan at 2-0 on the season.
8/23/16 - LadyCats Jumpstart Season with Victory Over Felicity
The Blanchester Ladycats soccer team opened the season with a convincing 7-0 win over conference foe Felicity on Tuesday night. The Ladycats dominated possession and generated a balanced scoring attack as they took 33 shots and all seven goals came from different scorers. Notching goals for the Ladycats were Bekah Sams, Merri Lindsey, Sierra Drake, Chloe Caplinger, Brianna Wilson, Taylor McQuitty, and Emma Gundler. Adding assists were Mckenzie Hamm, Kelsey Naylor, Drake, and Caplinger with two.
The scoring got underway in the fourth minute when Drake forced a turnover deep in the box from the opposing keeper, freeing up Sams to power home a shot into the open net. Lindsey started a blitz of three goals in six minutes for the Cats with a driven shot over the keeper from twenty five yards out in the 17th minute. Less than three minutes later, Drake chased down a through ball and hit the back post from s tough angle to score, and moments after Caplinger finished in a similar fashion from the other side of the field. As the first half came to a close, Wilson cleaned up a ball into the net that looped over the Felicity keeper from a flick from Caplinger. The second half followed a similar script, with Drake crossing a pinpoint pass to McQuitty on the back post for a fancy finish. Gundler sliced through the defense with 8 minutes and played a give and go with Naylor to round out the win. Regan Ostermeier had 1 save in goal to earn the shutout. Coach Ballinger commented, "The victory was a complete team effort and the girls showcased an unselfish brand of soccer that we want to define our program this season."
The scoring got underway in the fourth minute when Drake forced a turnover deep in the box from the opposing keeper, freeing up Sams to power home a shot into the open net. Lindsey started a blitz of three goals in six minutes for the Cats with a driven shot over the keeper from twenty five yards out in the 17th minute. Less than three minutes later, Drake chased down a through ball and hit the back post from s tough angle to score, and moments after Caplinger finished in a similar fashion from the other side of the field. As the first half came to a close, Wilson cleaned up a ball into the net that looped over the Felicity keeper from a flick from Caplinger. The second half followed a similar script, with Drake crossing a pinpoint pass to McQuitty on the back post for a fancy finish. Gundler sliced through the defense with 8 minutes and played a give and go with Naylor to round out the win. Regan Ostermeier had 1 save in goal to earn the shutout. Coach Ballinger commented, "The victory was a complete team effort and the girls showcased an unselfish brand of soccer that we want to define our program this season."