LEXINGTON — Considering all Madison had to endure this week, Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Lexington felt like a win.

The Rams (6-7-2, 5-1-1 Ohio Cardinal Conference) could have clinched no worse than a share of the conference crown with a win, but instead finished third in the league standings with 16 points. A win is worth three points and a tie is worth one. 

Ashland (9-4-1, 6-1-0) won the OCC title outright by virtue of Thursday’s 4-0 win at Mansfield Senior. The Arrows finished with 18 points.

Longtime Madison coach Zac Huff abruptly resigned Wednesday. No reason was offered on Thursday for the resignation.

“We want to thank Coach Huff for all his hard work and dedication to our soccer program,” Madison athletic director Doug Rickert said in a press release, but there was no further comment.

Assistant coach Kelly O’Brien was promoted to interim head coach.

“These girls are resilient,” O’Brien said afterward. “Obviously we would have liked to win, but they came here and played with intensity. I’m really proud of them.

“Honestly, this is the most intensity I’ve seen them play with. It was a big game and they were pumped for it.”

These girls are resilient.

Madison interim head coach Kelly O’Brien

The match was scoreless into the second half before Lexington’s Gabby Lay broke the ice with an unconventional goal in the 52nd minute. Lay lofted a high-arcing shot toward the Madison goal that skittered on the dew-covered grass and into the back of the net.

Madison equalized 11 minutes late when Ellie Powell scored from long range. 

“They played harder than us in the second half, there’s no doubt about it,” Lexington coach Buck Morton said. “For them to have all the things they have going on and to come here and play the way they did tonight, hat’s off to Madison.”

Lexington (8-4-2, 5-0-2) could have claimed the OCC title with a win. Instead Lady Lex finished with 17 points.

“We just didn’t capitalize and that is what winning championships is about,” Morton said. “We pretty much dominated that first half, but we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities.”

Tourney Time

The postseason tournament draw is this weekend. Both Madison and Lexington will compete in Division III.

“I would almost imagine for sure will play them again,” Morton said. “What’s that going to look like the second time around? I don’t know.”

O’Brien said the Rams were trending in the right direction.

“We would have liked to get the win, but this will prepare us for the postseason,” O’Brien said. “We set the schedule up so we would be playing tough games at the end. It will get us ready for the tournament.”