By ROCKY STANLEY — The Independent
FLATWOODS — After years of trying, Russell broke through the Bourbon County barrier Monday night.
Midfielder Kelsey Simpson’s goal with less than five minutes remaining stopped a Bourbon County rally and lifted the Lady Devils to a 3-2 victory and their first Sub-Section championship.
Home fans poured onto the field at the Russell Soccer Complex to celebrate with players and coaches. The previous four years, Bourbon County outscored Russell 19-2 in the Sub-Section.
“It’s just been a long road,’’ said Simpson, who also assisted Russell’s first goal. “This is my senior year. It’s like the perfect story.’’
The Lady Devils watched a 2-0 lead slip away as a young Bourbon County squad pulled even on sophomore Lily Gosser’s second goal with 10:05 remaining.
Russell goalkeeper Elizabeth Floyd leaped to stop another scoring attempt and also grabbed a Bourbon County corner kick out of the air.
The momentum swung, however, as Russell forward Jayme Vallance slipped the ball to a sprinting Simpson on the right side for the winning goal.
“It was such a perfect pass,’’ Simpson said. “It went between like three people. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get to it. I slid and got my foot on the ball. My face was in the dirt. I didn’t even see it go in.’’
It came at the perfect time for Simpson, an All-State player who had some trouble finishing the past few weeks.
“Kelsey Simpson was due,’’ said Russell coach Joe Grizzle. “To get the one that made the difference, I’m so happy for her.’’
It marked only the second time that Bourbon County surrendered three goals in a game all season. The 12th Region champs came in with a 16-4-3 record and only 17 goals allowed.
Simpson set up the Lady Devils’ first goal by drilling a direct kick off the bottom of the cross bar. The ball caromed straight down to the ground and sophomore Brandie Conley headed it into the net with 27:07 left in the first half.
Five minutes later, Russell senior Katie Gross made it 2-0 when she scored from close range off an assist from Jayme Vallance.
Bourbon County, a 2-0 winner over Russell during the regular season, got on the scoreboard with just under three minutes to go in the half. The teams exchanged opportunities in the second half before the Lady Colonels tied it.
“I know Bourbon County lost a lot of players from last year, but they were still good,’’ Simpson said. “I think we let down a little when we were up 2-0, but we kept trying and never gave up. That’s a testament to the team. Everybody played tough.’’
After Simpson’s tiebreaker, Bourbon County’s Elaine Royse fired a direct kick that grazed the top of the cross bar and continued over.
“In the second half they pushed us to the limit,’’ said Floyd, a first-year starter in goal who came up big with seven saves against the Lady Colonels. “When it was tied, I had faith in my team that we would come back and score. Kelsey made the goal of the game. It’s an amazing win and I know it meant everything to the seniors.’’
Russell (12-11) will travel to northern Kentucky for a Wednesday night matchup against Highlands, a 1-0 overtime winner against St. Henry on Monday.
Grizzle savored the moment after his team got over the Sub-Section hurdle against Bourbon County.
“We’ve come close and also been blown away by them,’’ Grizzle said. “I’m just proud of the girls. They needed this. Our senior bunch has been knocking on the door all four years. We played a tough schedule (five Top 25 opponents) again this season and this team has really come together at the end.’’
ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.
