All goals came in the last 13 minutes of the game. Jenssen’s was the first and came after she sent a kick by Whitaker right in front of the goal while surrounded by Greenon defenders.
“I saw her diving towards the near post, so I just slotted it to the far post,” Jenssen said. “Playing with her before in club ball definitely helped in knowing what I could do.”
Ariyah Lewis followed with a goal with 7:49 left for Shawnee to add needed insurance. Less than 20 seconds after Shawnee’s second goal, Greenon’s Delaney Benedict sent a ball by a diving Mary Britton off of a pass. The Knights tried frantically to work the ball down the field in the final seven minutes of the game but never got a good shot off.
The teams played in regular season in a Central Buckeye Conference crossover match, which Shawnee also won 2-1.
“This means a lot, especially playing a rival like Greenon,” Shawnee junior Hannah Ryan said. “We worked together and played aggressive the whole game. I think we really deserve this win.”
Shawnee now turns its attention to McNicholas, who is 13-1-3 and ranked No. 2 in Division II in the state coaches association poll. Jenssen said it should be the toughest opponent the Braves (15-1-3) have faced this season. The game is at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Cincinnati Mariemont High School.
“Everyone is going to have to play their best game,” Jenssen said. “It’s going to take everyone playing their best to beat the No.2 team in the state.”
Greenon, who won the CBC Mad River Division title, finishes with a 14-4-0 record.
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