IN PUSUIT — Catholic Central’s Mary Rohde pursues Linsly’s Rebecca Jaudon and the ball during Wednesday’s match. - Aaron Petchal

STEUBENVILLE — Switch the field.

The majority of the match was played on the far side of the field, however, the Catholic Central girls’ soccer team found most of its success on the other side.

Catholic Central netted a goal about four minutes into its match against Linsly, and the Crusaders tacked on four more en route to a 5-2 victory Wednesday evening at the Tony Recinella Soccer Field.

The first four goals scored by the Blue and Gold came on the near (benches) side of the pitch.

“It showed we were consistent with our plan of attack,” Catholic Central (4-1-1) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. “I definitely approve of the way we worked today.”

The Crusaders scored the first three goals of the match, and the hosts led by four in the second half before the Cadets netted their second goal.

“We played OK,” first-year Linsly (2-2) head coach Morgan Kost said. “We are still learning how to play with each other and how to play as a team. I am proud of their effort.”

Individually for Catholic Central, Isabelle Lee tallied two goals, Gianna Rook collected a goal and an assist and Zélie Baillargeon and Zoe Wise each delivered a goal. Monica Bolster also contributed an assist in the win.

Aurie Hoover made one save in goal for the winners.

Evangeline Yendell tallied a goal and an assist to lead the way for the girls in white, while Victoria Ribeiro de Oliveira collected the goal.

Due to an injury, the girls from Ohio County were forced to play two goalies. Elaina Pusz started in goal for the visitors, and she played into the second before having to leave the match with an injury. Macy Sustik replaced her in net, and she played the rest of the way. Pusz made four saves, while Sustik made one.

“Linsly is always a tough opponent,” Coach Hoover said. “It is never easy whenever you play them. We have been fortunate to be able to come out on top the last couple of times we have played them. I am proud of the girls for that.”

Baillargeon recorded the first goal about four minutes in to give the Crusaders an early 1-0 advantage.

“Getting an early goal gives you the advantage,” Coach Hoover said. “It allows you to play with more confidence. You don’t have to try and catch up. I am proud of our effort today.”

Wise scored about midway through the first set enabling the victors to extend their advantage to 2-0.

The girls in blue struck again about four minutes later when Lee scored on a corner kick to increase Catholic Central’s advantage to 3-0. Lee took the kick, and the senior sent the ball into the box where it off a player and into the back of the net.

Yendell found the back of the net with about eight minutes left in the half to pull the Cadets to within 3-1. Yendell scored from long range on a shot perfectly placed in the upper corner.

The Crusaders struck again early in the second half as Rook recorded her team’s fourth goal about eight minutes into the half.

Lee capped the scoring for the girls from Jefferson County about 21 minutes into the half to make the score 5-1.

“They did pretty much what we expected,” Kost said about the Crusaders.

Ribeiro de Oliveira delivered the last goal of the match about two minutes later.

The Crusaders and Cadets played twice last year with both matches ending in a tie. Catholic Central defeated Linsly in a shootout in the second match in an OVAC Semifinal.

“I have not seen any film on them,” Coach Hoover said. “We were just waiting to see what happened, and we were able to build from it. Linsly always has a good team, they have good players and they have good girls. We saw what they were trying to do, we wanted to make the right adjustments and we were able to do that today.”

Catholic Central outshot Linsly, 10-3, on its way to the win. All 13 shots in the match were on goal.

The offensive pressure by the Crusaders forced the Cadets into taking six goal kicks, while Catholic Central took just one. Linsly ended the match with a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.

“It was important to get this win today,” Coach Hoover said. “You always want to get a positive outcome from the match. This sets up in good shape in the OVACs. We have some difficult games coming up. We play at Wheeling Central next week.”

Catholic Central is scheduled to play United at 11 a.m. Saturday at home.

Linsly is slated to play East Fairmont Saturday afternoon at home.