It didn’t get easier for Yellow Springs as another mis-clearance of a ball in the box led to a second Roger Bacon goal for a 2-0 deficit with 35:33 remaining in the first half.
“The thing is, our kids didn’t give up,” VanAusdal said. “Some teams would have folded things up after that, but I think we kept trying to crawl back into it.”
Roger Bacon out-shot Yellow Springs 4-0 in the first half and 9-1 for the game.
Yellow Springs, however, did convert its lone shot on goal when Augie Knemeyer converted a penalty kick with 36:42 remaining after Joe Plumer was dragged down in the box after beating the Roger Bacon defense.
“When we got to 2-1, I thought we could slowly crawl back up, but they are too strong,” VanAusdal said. “I knew from the start that the match-up, individually, was really tough with their kids.”
The regional appearance did mark a breakthrough for Yellow Springs. The Bulldogs had lost in the district finals nine of the past 10 years before finally breaking through with a 1-0 win over the state’s fifth-ranked team (Dayton Christian).
Knocking off two top-five teams in a week proved too tough.
“I am really proud of these guys,” VanAusdal said. “They got over the district hump and got here. They (Roger Bacon) were just too strong to crawl back into it against, but I am proud of how my boys battled the whole game.”
Division I
Beavercreek 1, Mason 0, PK: The teams were locked in a scoreless tie through two overtimes, but Beavercreek won the battle of penalty kicks, 3-1. Beavercreek (18-1-1) moved into Saturday's regional final after handing Mason (15-1-3) its first loss. Mason was ranked No. 3, Beavercreek No. 5 in the final coaches' association state poll.
Springboro 1, Anderson 0, PK: Springboro (11-5-4) also won a marathon match, breaking a scoreless tie against Anderson (16-3-2) via penalty kicks, 3-0. Greater Western Ohio Conference foes Springboro and Beavercreek battled to a 3-3 tie on Sept. 29. The regional final will be at noon Saturday at Magsig Middle School in Centerville.
Division II
Alter 3, Indian Hill 0: Alter (18-1-2) avenged its only loss of the season and advanced to Saturday's regional final. Indian Hill (11-6-4) had edged the Knights, 1-0, Oct. 13. Ty Borton scored the first two goals for Alter, Croft Hagerty the third. Assists were by Parker Simms, Dominic Ruffolo and Robbie Ruffolo.
Tippecanoe 1, Beechcroft 0: Tippecanoe (19-1-1) shut out Beechcroft (16-3-0) and will attempt to reverse a 4-0 loss to Alter on Sept. 29. Freshman Ben Sauls scored the game's only goal.
Division III
Summit Country Day 8, Troy Christian 0: Summit Country Day (17-1-1), the state's top-ranked team, rolled past Troy Christian (16-2-2) and into Saturday's noon final against Roger Bacon.
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