MILAN — Reese Bechtler and her Mansfield Christian teammates just keep making history.
Bechtler scored what proved to be the game-winning goal as the Flames advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history with a 2-1 win over Columbus Grove in the Division V regional semifinals at Edison’s Freedom Field.
Below are photos from Tuesday’s regional semifinal between Mansfield Christian and Columbus Grove. (Credit: Curt Conrad) The story continues below.
Mansfield Christian (18-2-1) will play Elmore Woodmore for the regional championship and a berth in next week’s state semifinals Saturday in Tiffin.
Woodmore beat Archbold 3-2 in double overtime Tuesday in Norwalk.
The Flames won their first-ever district championship last week, beating Delta 2-1 in double OT. Now they are one win from state.
“This is a really big moment for all of us,” sophomore midfielder Bechtler said. “We’re really enjoying this as a team. I’m just really glad I get to do it with these girls.”
After a scoreless first half, MCS grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute. Bechtler was fouled in the box and Ryen Anderson, the recently-crowned district Player of the Year in Division V, converted the penalty kick.
It would stay that way until Bechtler corralled a rebound in front of the box and knocked it past Columbus Grove keeper Erianne Heffner for a 2-0 lead with 8:02 remaining.
The Bulldogs cut the MCS lead to 2-1 on a Ruth Myers goal with 5:19 remaining, but the Flames were able to kill the clock to seal the historic victory.
“This group just loves to work hard and loves to compete,” MCS coach Jesse Rider said. “Motivation is pretty easy. It’s a good group.”