Patriots advance to semi (10/12/05)

MARION — The Patriots opened the tournament the same way they closed the season. With a shutout.

Jay County’s girls soccer team scored its second straight shutout, blanking the Blackford Bruins 2-0 in the opening game of the Marion sectional Tuesday.

The Patriots advance to play the South Adams Starfires in semifinal action Thursday at 7 p.m. They will be looking to advance to the sectional title game for the sixth time in seven seasons. South Adams defeated Jay County 3-0 during the regular season.

Tuesday’s game was scoreless for the first 18 minutes before Sara Garringer, who scored the Patriots’ lone goal in a 1-0 win over Yorktown Thursday, sparked the offense. She busted down the middle of the field and sent the ball toward the goal. Saffron Redwine was there to follow Garringer’s shot, scoring with 21:34 on the clock for a 1-0 lead.

The first 25 minutes of the second half was scoreless with a misty rain falling until Garringer started another Jay County run. She went up the middle again, this time passing to Abby Schmiesing on the right side for the score.

The Patriot defense played strong again, limiting the Bruins to nine shots on goal. Goalie Abby Loy save all of them to score the shutout.

Jay County (7-5-2) took 20 shots on goal, including seven by Redwine and five from Dana Horn. Schmiesing, Garringer and Cassandra Huelskamp each had two shots.[[In-content Ad]]