It was a night of firsts for Todd County Central as the Lady Rebels beat Logan County 2-0 in the title game of the 13th District Soccer Tournament in Russellville Thursday.
The district title is the first for a Lady Rebel program that began playing soccer in 2004. Katie Covington, a former Lady Rebel player, wins the title in her first season as head coach.
Freshman Jenny Flores scored both goals for Todd County – her first career goals at the varsity level. The Todd County win also snaps a streak that has seen the Lady Rebels lose to Logan County in each of the last five district title games.
The win came without senior and leading scorer Lexi O’Daniel, who received a red card in an October 2 game at Hopkins Central. It was originally thought O’Daniel had received only a yellow card, which required her to leave the game instead of a red, which is a two-game suspension. Thinking she had received only a yellow, O’Daniel played in an October 5 loss to Webster County. The school was notified by the KHSAA of the red card, and O’Daniel began serving the two-game suspension Thursday.
Despite the setback, Flores scored for Todd County inside the game’s first two minutes to stake the Lady Rebels to a 1-0 lead. Logan County couldn’t solve Todd County’s defense or the goalkeeping of Addye Sawyers. Todd County had a chance to extend their lead late in the first half when Maddy Drummond took a penalty kick because of a handball in the goal box. However, her low shot was saved and the 1-0 contest preserved.
Flores added her second goal with 11 minutes left that zapped any momentum Logan had, and the Lady Cougars didn’t get a good look at the goal down the stretch.
Flores’ goals came against a Logan County defense that was marking second-leading scorer Maddy Drummond all over the field and limited her scoring chances.
Todd County (10-5-2) is headed to the Fourth Region Tournament as a district champion for the first time. The last five years, they have been eliminated by Greenwood. They could meet for a sixth straight year as the Lady Gators were upset by Bowling Green 1-0 in overtime Thursday. Todd County will find out their first round opponent Friday and begin play in the Fourth Region Tournament next week at South Warren High School.