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WELLSBURG – It was a long but good night for the Catholic Central girls’ soccer team against Brooke.
Catholic Central tallied five goals in the first half, and the Crusaders did not look back as they defeated the Bruins, 5-0, Thursday night in Brooke’s annual Cancer Awareness Game on Paul “Bud” Billiard Field inside historic Brooke Memorial Stadium.
“We moved the ball really well,” Catholic Central (10-5-1) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. “We did a good job of creating chances and opportunities. We just have to fine tune some things as we get ready for the playoffs.”
The Blue-and-Gold limited Brooke’s chances on the offensive end.
“We came in with a really-good plan,” Hoover said. “We were able to keep them in check. They wanted to play a certain way, and we did a good job of making them play the way we wanted.”
Lily Krivoniak collected two goals for the Blue-and-Gold, Zélie Baillargeon tallied a goal and two assists and Gigi Rook recorded a goal and an assist. Also, Zoe Wise scored a goal, while Delaney Dankert delivered an assist.
The visitors used two goalies – Addie Long and Mia Doyle. Long made three saves before being replaced during the second half by Doyle. Doyle made one save.
Maria Woodall is in her first season as head coach of the Bruins (4-14-1).
“They are a different team than they have been in the past,” Hoover said. “They play a different style. We were able to watch film on them, so we had a good idea of what they wanted to try and do.”
The Blue-and-Gold have now won seven-straight games.
“We got some girls back from injury,” Hoover said. “That has allowed us to play the formation we want and the style that we want. We have had some underclassmen step up for us this season.”
The game was the final one of the regular season for the girls from Jefferson County.
“I think we had a very-strong schedule overall,” Hoover said. “You want to peak going into the districts.”
Catholic Central is scheduled to take on Jefferson County rival Edison in an Ohio Division V Eastern District Quarterfinal at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday down at the Tony Recinella Soccer Field. The Crusaders are the No. 2 seed in the tournament, while the Wildcats are the No. 7 seed.
Catholic Central and Edison did not play during the regular season.
Brooke will learn its postseason fate later today when the draw for the playoffs is held.
Brooke has wins this season against John Marshall, Harrison Central, Indian Creek and Edison with its lone tie coming against Weir.