ON THE PITCH — Catholic Central’s Zoe Wise chases the ball during Monday’s tournament game. - Aaron Petchal

STEUBENVILLE — Three, five and 15 were the numbers of the day.

Catholic Central’s Lily Krivoniak – No. 15 – collected a hat trick 15 minutes into the match against Sandy Valley, and the third-seeded Crusaders shut out the sixth-seed Cardinals, 5-0, in an Ohio Division V Eastern District Sectional Co-Final Monday evening at the Tony Recinella Soccer Field.

“Survive and advance, that’s always the story,” Catholic Central (9-6-3) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. “You always like to win the first one, because that means extra soccer and extra games. The girls did a good job today.”

Krivoniak contributed the first three goals for the Blue-and-Gold with each one coming in about five minute intervals. The freshmen netted her first one about five minutes into the match, she scored her second from long distance about five minutes later before capping off her hat trick five minutes or so after that.

“We definitely did a better job of possession the ball,” Hoover said. “We did a better job of connecting our passes. We were able to find people out wide. That was the biggest difference.”

Isabelle Lee tallied both of Central’s goals in the second half. She scored the fourth goal of the match after the Sandy Valley goalkeeper was called for a foul in the penalty box.

Lee netted her second goal of the day late in the match to extend the home team’s advantage out to 5-0.

Aurie Hoover, Zélie Baillargeon, Gigi Rook and Lee – all recorded an assist for the girls from Jefferson County.

Both teams used two goalies.

For Catholic Central, Addie Long started in goal, and she made five saves before being replaced during the second half by Mia Doyle. Doyle made two saves.

With the win, the Crusaders have advanced to the district semifinals where Catholic Central will take on No. 1 seed Bishop Rosecrans at 6:30 p.m. Monday night on the road. Bishop Rosecrans advanced by shutting out No. 8 seed Shenandoah, 5-0, Monday night at home in another sectional co-final.

With the loss, the girls from Stark County ended their season at 5-11-1.

“We had some game film on them,” Hoover said. “Unfortunately, they have had some injuries. They have small numbers right now, and that makes it tough. We knew what to look for, and we did a good job of countering it.”

The match was the final one at home for Catholic Central’s five seniors – Lynn Cai, Sophia Hoover, Kenadie Balabin, Mary Rohde and Lee.

“It is always nice to send the seniors out on with a win on their home field,” Coach Hoover said. “We want to keep playing. Hopefully, we can play a few more games.”