Mahomet-Seymour Dominates Lincoln with Early Goals, Clinches Third Consecutive Regional Soccer Title

By Fred Kroner

Mahomet-Seymour scored goals in the first 90 seconds of each half on Saturday (May 18) and decisioned Lincoln, 7-1, in the IHSA Class 2A girls’ soccer regional championship match at Middletown Field.

Erika Johnson registered a hat trick. Her three-goal performance raised her season total to 11 goals. She shares the team lead in scoring with Jaycee Fancher.

Izzy Lietz contributed three assists and leads the squad with nine for the spring.

The Bulldogs led, 3-0, at intermission.

Ella Walk netted two goals for M-S. Hannah Creel and Fancher each recorded one goal.

Other assists were registered by Creel, Nadia Biegler and Kylyn Ross.

Goalkeeper Maggie Moore collected one save.

M-S (11-5-3) returns to action in a sectional semifinal match at Pleasant Plains on Tuesday (May 21) at 4:30 p.m. against defending state champion Chatham Glenwood. Lincoln finishes with a 15-9-2 record.

The winner between M-S and Chatham Glenwood will play either Champaign Central or Pleasant Plains in the sectional finals.

“The Bulldogs controlled the ball and were able to move the ball consistently on the ground to advantageous attacking positions,” Bulldog coach Jeremy Davis said. “Hadley Grotelueschen and Haley Reed had great days jumping into the attack from wide defensive positions.

“Along with their forward runs, the backline and the mids had a fantastic showing consistently passing around and between the Lincoln defensive lines. The mids had set out to neutralize the Railers winning formula from their semifinal and won the 50/50 balls out of the air. Their success undoubtedly led to the team’s success.

“The team looked solid, but will need to continue their upward swing as they get a rematch of last year’s sectional semi against Glenwood.”

Under Davis’ direction, the Bulldogs have won three consecutive regional titles in girls’ soccer. Overall, M-S owns 12 soccer regional crowns.