The Ohio High School Athletic Association girls soccer tournament just got flipped on its head. After semifinal action on November 3, we’re down to the regional finals, and here’s the kicker: both of Cincinnati’s defending state champions are officially out. Talk about unexpected drama! Ten regional semis across five divisions went down, but no game was more heart-stopping than Mason’s 2-1 sudden death overtime victory over Lebanon, pushing them one win closer to the state tournament.
The 51-Second OT Blast That Sent Mason Through
Can you even believe what went down in Division I? Mason superintendent Jonathan Cooper basically *manifested* a goal for the Comets in the first minute of sudden death overtime, and senior Hailey Hommel, clutch as heck, made it happen! Just 51 seconds into the extra period, Hommel dropped a bomb, giving Mason the 2-1 win against Lebanon. That’s how you get to your second regional final in three seasons, folks! Mason coach Sami Ratowski nailed it, saying, “The message was, ‘It just takes one.’ We poured our confidence in them and believed that we could do it. We had so many chances in regular time and we were just trying to pour our confidence.” And you know what? It paid off. This was Hommel’s ninth goal of the year, her third straight game scoring, and the second time this season she’s gone on a three-game scoring streak. She’s just a pure gamer! A ton of credit also goes to senior Bella Anderson, who set up that game-winner, notching her 12th assist of the season. Hommel herself summed up Anderson perfectly: “She forms such great bonds with the entire team. She’s a really amazing captain, probably my favorite, and she really tries to connect with people on a deeper level.” That kind of team chemistry wins big games, period.
Lebanon’s Fight and Mason’s Road Ahead
Mason might have taken control early, dominating possession, but putting shots on frame was a struggle. It took Lucy Wiethe, subbing in, to break the ice with a roller in the 24th minute. But hold up, Lebanon, who went unbeaten in October with a ridiculous 27-4 goal differential, wasn’t going to roll over! They came out of halftime firing, with Maddie Wagers rocketing one in the 43rd minute to equalize. They had chances, some corners, free kicks, but Mason’s keeper smothered an Anderson breakaway. Shout out to Lebanon, though. They’re graduating 11 seniors, including Lansing and Wagers, after a solid 12-4-4 season, their third straight with at least 11 wins. That’s a legacy right there. Now, Mason, sitting at 15-3-2, has to turn their focus. Their next challenge is Dublin Coffman in the Region 3 final, set for 7 p.m. on November 7 at Fairborn’s Skyhawk Stadium. Coffman is no joke, rocking an 11-2-4 record and ranked No. 8 in Division I by MaxPreps. Hommel isn’t letting anyone sleep on them, stating, “We’re really prepared, we know what’s coming for us, we’ve thought about what’s coming ahead. We take the time in practices and review game film. When it comes down to it, we know we have to show up and play hard.” That’s the mindset you need to go deep! Oh, and keep an eye on Seton, the undefeated 20-0 squad and last year’s Division I runner-up. They beat Lakota, and are just one win away from getting back to the state semifinals. This tournament is heating up!
The regional finals are set, and the drama is only getting started. Mason now has to bring that same fire against a tough Dublin Coffman squad if they want to keep their state tournament dreams alive. You know this next game is going to be an absolute battle. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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