Defense, Rice's early goal gives Fairland long-elusive OVC title

PROCTORVILLE — It took another great defensive effort and an early goal from freshman Rease Rice to make the difference on Monday night, as the Fairland Lady Dragons defeated the Gallia Academy Blue Angels 1-0 in battle for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The win gave the Lady Dragons at least a share of the conference title, something that has eluded them for. a long time. Before this season, the Lady Dragons had finished in second place the past three seasons — including finishing second to Gallia last season.

"It just feels incredible to win against Gallia," Fairland coach Holly Rowe. "It feels great to not tie Gallia and get a win over them."

Fairland continued their recent trend of early goal scoring when Rice got an outlet pass up the right sideline from Macy Auxier and Rice let go of a shot from right side that lifted just over the head of Blue Angels keeper Kendall Eddy and into the next to give the Lady Dragons a one-goal lead just 1:12 into the contest.

The early goal for the Dragons (9-4-2, 8-0-1 OVC) would be one of the last few opportunities they would get the rest of the way, as they finished with just four shots on goal.

While Gallia was able to get off a total of nine shots on goal, it was still difficult to find open looks against Fairland's defense.

Despite the early goal lead, Rowe knew this was far too familiar territory for her team, as their previous match on Aug. 27 saw the Lady Dragons take an early 1-0 lead, only for the Blue Angels to rally late and tie the game with a late goal.

"One goal down is not a strong deficit in a soccer game. I always worry they can get one in or even get a second and come back and win the game. Until the whistle blows for the final, you're worried."

The Blue Angels (8-5-2, 6-1-1) got one of their best scoring looks of the night in the 24th minute when Madison Brown was able to get a shot off from the right side that Thomas turned aside. The ball was loose in front of the net, but Yardley Gorby was able to clear it out of the box before a rebound attempt could be made.

Gallia's opportunity came with just over three minutes to play when Thomas turned away a shot attempt from Brown with 17:12 left to play.

Brown got one more look with less than four minutes remaining, but Thomas was there to catch the shot attempt.

"Our defense has held strong throughout the entire year. McKaila as our goalkeeper has eight shutouts and our defense has consistently brought it every game."

Fairland can clinch the league title outright with a win over South Point on Tuesday night.

Gallia Acad. 0 0 = 1

Fairland 1 0 = 4

First Half

M — Rease Rice (assist Macy Auxier), 38:00.

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Shots on Goal — Gallia Academy 9, Fairland 4.

Goalkeeper — Gallia Academy: Kendall Eddy 3; Fairland: McKaila Thomas 9 saves.