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Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Henry Clay girls stop Woodford in 13th Region final

Just another oh-Kayla match for Henry Clay's soccer girls Thursday night.

Kayla Price scored the first shootout goal, then stopped all three shots by Woodford County to carry Henry Clay to the 13th Region championship at Tates Creek.

Henry Clay (13-5-2) moves on to Tuesday's sub-sectional at Lexington Catholic.

"There's not much to say. Sometimes you get on the wrong end of it," said Yellowjackets Coach Dave McIver. "I'm really proud of our girls. They played extremely well."

Price, a junior, notched her 14th shutout of the season, although Woodford County (10-8-2) outshot the Lady Blue Devils 27-7 and had 16 corner kicks to Henry Clay's two.

"They kept me on my toes the whole game," Price said. "They're a great team and really physical. We knew we had to limit their opportunities."

Henry Clay's Olivia Max had a couple of chances in the first half, only to be rebuffed by goalkeeper Lyndsay Vance.

Woodford, outshot 6-5 in the first half, dominated 14-0 in the second half. Callie Reichenbach and Shanda Painter had back-to-back looks off a corner kick with just under 29 minutes left in regulation.

After battling to a scoreless tie through 110 minutes of regulation and overtime, it was time for a shootout.

"I wasn't sure, but I liked our chances," said Henry Clay Coach Mebit Aragaw. "The girls, with the limited skill we have, put everything out there. And we just remembered what happened last year — we lost in three overtimes, so make sure that doesn't happen again."

Price opened the penalty kick round with a goal just inside the left post.

"It's just like in practice, because he has us out there every day kicking until we score enough," Price said. "It felt just like practice. Solid."

Price then got set in net.

Woodford's Amy Morford sent a low bullet towards the right corner of the net. Price made a diving stop.

"It was a solid hit. I guess I read it right," Price said. "I got lucky."

Nina Talavera and Rachel Geil scored for Henry Clay, sandwiched around a Reichenbach shot that sailed wide.

To extend the shootout, Hannah Greenwell would have to beat Price.

A sensational diving punch save ended things, though.

"That was such a rush," Price said. "I guessed. She hit a solid shot. I mean, it hurt my hand. I just didn't want to go home tonight."