Ashland — The LadyCats kicked down the door and finally became 11th Region girls’ soccer champions.

Ashland (18-5-1) had to knock off perennial power Russell (9-5-3), which had won the past five region titles.

An all-around effort gave Ashland a 3-0 win over Russell and its first-ever region championship Wednesday night at Ashland Soccer Complex.

“I’ve been coaching for 17 years,” said Ashland coach E.B. Lowman with a grin. “This is the first time we’ve won the region. That’s pretty special.”

Six seniors, led by tournament Most Valuable Player Paige Leaver, have paced the LadyCats in their special season, which will continue on Tuesday. They will travel to either Bourbon County or Harrison County in the sub-sectional round. Those two teams play tonight.

Leaver did not score, but was involved in several offensive attacks and defensive stops at midfield.

Fellow senior Emily Ackerson tapped in two goals, the first of which jumpstarted her team early.

Lucy Davis attempted a shot three minutes into the game, but Russell goalkeeper Elizabeth Floyd dove forward to make the stop. However, she could not make a clean grab on the ball, and Ackerson took advantage of the deflection, ripping it in the net. She scored again in the second half on a ball that just cleared a leaping Floyd.

“She was tough tonight,” Lowman said of Ackerson.

Ashland sophomore Kristen Moore accounted for the team’s second goal, prefaced by exquisite passing in the middle of the field.

“We’ve been a good passing team all season, but we weren’t doing the right things in the middle of the field with the ball,” Lowman said. “It kind of kicked in about a week ago. We have balance now.”

Desirae Hamlin provided an assist with a perfect pass that allowed Moore to polish off the play with ease in the final minutes of the first half, giving Ashland a 2-0 lead.

Russell had only five shots on goal thanks to a solid performance by Ashland’s defense but also to a sluggish start.

Maddie Roark, Jessica Frisby and Ashley Huffine were able to muster some offensive opportunities, but Ashland goalkeeper Emily Salyers backed a defense highlighted by Lauren Damron and Nikisha Patel.

The Lady Devils began to move the ball into Ashland territory with regularity in the second half, but never capitalized.

“We played some tough teams this year and beat them,” said Russell coach Joe Grizzle. “For (the players) to get this far is a testament to their hard work. You can’t win them every year.”

Ashland had reached the 11th Region championship game in 2004 and 2007, but Russell defeated the LadyCats both times.

“We’ve been here before,” Lowman said. “We knocked on the door, but just couldn’t find anybody to answer it.

“It’s been a great season,” added the coach. “This is just a special team of girls. They’re all friends. They work well together. Nobody’s selfish.”

All-Tournament team

DeAnndra Robinson (Rowan County), Teagan Dolan (Rowan County), Jessica Frisby (Russell), Jasey Lizarraga (Russell), Maddie Roark (Russell), Nicole Belville (Ashland), Chelsea Dietrich (Ashland), Emily Ackerson (Ashland). MVP: Paige Leaver.

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.