Girls soccer sectionals: Edgewood rallies by OV; Bloomington North falls short

It took a bit of time, but the Edgewood girls soccer team shook off stubborn Owen Valley and then got rid of its opening night of sectional jitters with two quick goals to down the Patriots, 2-1, in the Class 2A Cascade Sectional on Tuesday.

Owen Valley (4-12) took the lead about 15 minutes into it, forcing the Mustangs (14-1-1) to find a response.

"We came in not playing our best and Owen Valley did a good job capitalizing on that," Edgewood coach Brittany Tucker said.

But not five minutes later, Kimmie Franklin had the first of her two goals, a header off a corner by Zhenia Venegas, to tie it up and bring a big sigh of relief.

"After that, you could see us take over the game a little bit more," Tucker said. "And it was such a pretty goal, too, so that helped."

But there was still work to do and the Venegas to Franklin connection worked again 10 minutes later as a hard shot from just outside the box eluded the keeper's mitts for a 2-1 lead. From there, the defense took over, limiting OV's chances as Edgewood tried to stick another goal in.

Macey Crider had four saves, but had to handle the ball only once in the second half.

"We played so much better, we just couldn't put in another goal," Tucker said.

Edgewood now faces Danville (10-7), a 3-1 winner over Northview in the other first-round game, on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the first semifinal. The Warriors led 1-0 at half and quickly pushed the lead to 3-0 in the second half.

So Tucker will be stressing getting off to a better start but has seen her team find a way to play its best when the competition is at its highest.

"Danville looks good and looks fast," Tucker said. "They're the fastest and the best team we'll play this season. We'll have to rise to the occasion but this team has done that. They've done a good job of not backing down. They'll come in confident, they'll play their best and have a good chance of winning."

That is after all, the expectation.

"I don't think the pressure is off at all," Tucker said. "I think the girls expected to win sectionals. That's been the expectations from themselves, from the team, from us as coaches, the school and the community and the parents. The expectation is that we go all the way and make it to regionals this year."

3A: Terre Haute South 2, Bloomington North 0

Terre Haute South scored a goal in each half to eliminate Bloomington North 2-0 in their Class 3A Terre Haute North Sectional opener.

The Braves (12-3-2) will move on to face rival Terre Haute North (3-13), which upset Martinsville (7-10) 2-0 in the first match, in Thursday's first semifinal. Bloomington South will take on Bedford North Lawrence in the second semi at around 8 p.m.

Isobel O'Leary was credited with 23 saves, but the Cougars (5-11) suffered a fourth straight shutout while giving up just five goals.

This story was updated with new information .

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Girls soccer sectionals: Edgewood rallies by OV; Bloomington North falls short