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Journal-News.com

Firebirds knock off top seed

MASON — Usually goalkeeper Alexis Dickison's only concern is keeping the ball out of the net.

In Monday night's Division I district semifinals, Dickison put one in the net for the Lakota West High girls soccer team.

Dickison scored her first career goal on a free kick from 40 yards out with 4:20 left in double overtime as the 10th-seeded Firebirds scored a stunning 2-1 victory over top-seeded and previously unbeaten Ursuline at the Mason Multipurpose Athletic Complex.

"I just knew I had to hit it," Dickison said. "I had so many attempts before that one that went wide to the near side. It just went in."

The Firebirds (10-5-3) extended their unbeaten streak to 12 matches and advanced to Thursday night's district finals at Princeton. West will take on Greater Miami Conference foe Milford, which blasted Mason 4-1 Monday night.

"I feel like we just won state," West coach Tara Schafer-Kalkhoff said. "I am so proud of this team. To come back from where we were — 0-5-2 — I can't say enough about these girls."

Ursuline, the state's second-ranked team, finished 15-1-2.

"We had a great season," UA coach Collen Dehring said. "They're a very good team. What can you say, it stinks."

After a scoreless first half, the Lions drew first blood when Kiondra McGee scored on a breakaway less than six minutes after intermission.

Undaunted, the Firebirds scored the equalizer less than seven minutes later. Kelsie Dreisbach scored off a Victoria Bachand assist at the 27:08 mark.

That set the stage for Dickison, who fired the first two free kicks she took in OT wide of the goal.

Her third attempt sailed over the Lions' wall and just under the crossbar at the near post. UA keeper Andy Marcis never had a chance.

"Even after the first two missed, I told Tara she'd put one frame and the keeper won't be able to move to go get it," said West assistant coach Mark Kalkhoff, who convinced his wife, Tara, to let Dickison leave the net unattended and take some free kicks.

"Luckily that's what happened."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5114 or jboyle@coxohio.com.