Western-Star.com

COLUMBUS — The Fenwick High School girls soccer team achieved the ultimate goal Saturday, Nov. 8.

Buoyed by a late goal from senior Alexis Heard and a stout defense, the third-ranked Falcons earned a Division II state championship with a 1-0 triumph over second-ranked Akron Hoban at Crew Stadium.

"You don't get to state and expect it to be easy," Fenwick coach Tom McEwan said of the tightly contested match. "All you can do is fight and take what they give you."

For 72 minutes, that's exactly what the Falcons did. But with 8:38 remaining in the match, they finally took advantage of one of their few opportunities.

In a 1-on-1 battle with Hoban goalkeeper Francesca Gironda, Heard fired a low shot to the right corner. As the ball rolled into the net, the red-and-crimson-clad crowd erupted.

"We've always talked about this and now we've done it," Heard said. "I can't think of a better way to end my high school career and I have all these girls to thank."

Heard will continue her soccer career at Eastern Michigan University.

"Alexis works and works and is so unpredictable," McEwan said. "It wasn't her prettiest goal, but it was definitely her biggest."

Freshman Selby Smith was credited with the assist on the goal.

Hoban outshot the Falcons 14-7, and had its best opportunity with just over a minute remaining in the match.

Trailing 1-0, the Knights (21-2-1) were awarded a penalty kick with 1:29 left on the clock. Junior Juliana Libertin took the 12-yard shot, but it sailed wide right, and the Falcons defense held from there.

"I thought it was in, but those things happen," Hoban coach Benny Pietrangelo said. "The game was fairly even. I thought it was going into overtime.

"I don't think I can say Fenwick was better than we were," he continued. "Both teams were fairly even, but that's how it goes, right?"

Pietrangelo also stopped just short of calling Heard's goal lucky.

"I don't want to say it was a lucky shot," he said. "It was a great shot if that's what she planned to do on that play."

Hoban sophomore Margaret Woods had six of the Knights shots in the match. Libertin had four. Fenwick junior goalkeeper Mary Turvy recorded four saves.

The Falcons had never advanced beyond the district finals before this season. They outscored the opposition 16-2 in seven postseason wins.

"We had such great fan support today," McEwan said. "What these girls did on behalf of this school, they should be proud. I know I couldn't be prouder."

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852

or sweaver@coxohio.com.