A Season to Remember
Russell Finishes with 19 Wins and Elite Eight at State
James Collier
Ashland Beacon
Boyle County had Russell on its heels for much of the first half but the Devils still managed to keep the Rebels off the board through the first 40 minutes of the Girls Soccer State Tournament Quarterfinals Thursday night.
However, a defensive miscue by the Rebels opened up a Devils run started by Ava Quinn and her pass finished at the feet of Eva Blanke with a one-on-one opportunity with the Rebels goalie. Blanke dribbled right and fired back left to give Russell a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.
The lead would be short lived as Boyle County countered with an equalizer 13 seconds later to even the affair at 1-1. Seven minutes later, the Rebels won a 50/50 ball off a big bounce inside the 18 that lobbed the ball over Russell goalie Gabby Williams that proved to be the game-winner in a 2-1 defeat of the Devils.
Quinn had a trio of shots at the goal in the opening half and had a shot sail over the crossbar inside of five minutes to play in regulation.
The loss was only the second on the season for Russell who opened with 14 straight wins and finished at 19-2 including a 16th Region Championship.
RUSSELL 8 PRESTONSBURG 2
Russell was in unfamiliar territory in its opening round match of the Girls Soccer State Tournament Tuesday night in Flatwoods.
Trailing.
Prestonsburg netted a goal in only the third minute for a 1-0 lead but once Russell found its mark, all the Blackcats could do is watch and hope to make a stop.
Ava Quinn evened the game at 1-1 in the 18th minute and Emma Stamper would finish with a hat trick as Russell upended Prestonsburg, 8-2. Leading 4-1 at the half, Russell blew the top off the game in the 46thminute with a trio of goals in just under 90 seconds and a 7-1 lead. Stamper bookended a Quinn goal in the fury by the Devils. Maya Harris netted her first goal of the season in the 53rd minute.