The Ada High School girls soccer team sent its seniors out on a high note.
The Lady Cougars dominated old rival Ardmore 6-0 on Senior Night at Ada High School.
Ada then wrapped up its season with a tough 6-1 loss to Mount St. Mary.
Mount St. Mary secured fourth place in District 4A-1 with an overall record of 9-3 and a 5-3 mark in district play.
The Lady Cougars finished the season 6-8 overall and 2-6 in district play.
“It was a much-needed win … with a fun environment filled with Senior Night activities. We even had the Ada band come out to play for our seniors,” Ada coach Stephanie Gutierrez told The Ada News. “It’s always good to beat a rival. The girls played as a team, and you could tell they were having fun. It was fun to watch.”
Sophomore Mynni Dickinson scored in the first two minutes off a rebound from the Ardmore goalkeeper to give Ada a quick 1-0 lead.
“She was there at the right place, right time, and tucked it in the corner of the net,” Gutierrez said.
Speedy sophomore Bella Sherbert scored the next two Ada goals.
“She beat the defense with her first goal with her speed and was able to put it away,” Gutierrez said. “Her second goal was assisted by senior Nina Benton with a nice cross in from the right side of the field.”
Sherbert was fouled in the box later in the first half, and Benton converted the penalty kick to put Ada in front 4-0 at halftime.
Senior Ashley Matzkvech, known for her steady play on defense for the Lady Cougars, was moved to a forward position in the second half and scored Ada’s final two goals.
After Addison Holloway stepped to a loose ball, she was fouled from behind. Brooke Ancheta took a free kick from a little more than 30 yards out and sent the ball into the box, where Matzkvech scored on a header to push Ada’s advantage to 5-0 with just over five minutes remaining.
“It was pretty cool to watch. Everything about that play couldn’t have been more perfect,” Gutierrez said.
Matzkvech capped the scoring after finding the back of the net off another nice assist from Benton.
Senior goalkeeper Naely Velazquez didn’t have much work to do on Senior Night.
“Nina only touched the ball two times the entire game. Our defense kept a high press most of the time,” Gutierrez said.
Senior Nina Benton spoiled the Mount St. Mary shutout with an impressive olimpico — a goal scored directly from a corner kick without being touched by another player.
“It’s rare. She curved it beautifully without anyone touching it,” Gutierrez said. “You’ve got to have high-skill bending of the ball, and it was really neat to watch.”
Gutierrez said the Lady Cougars were unable to capitalize on several other scoring opportunities against the Lady Rockets.