COLUMBUS, Ohio — The most successful program in the history of Ohio high school girls soccer is back on top.
Walsh Jesuit defeated Olentangy Liberty 2-1 Friday in Columbus to win the OHSAA Division I championship. It's the first title for the Warriors since 2016 and 11th all-time, the most for any team in the 29-year history of the state tournament.
Sophomore Hannah Pachan scored both of Walsh's goals within the first 20 minutes of the match, though the Patriots fought back thanks to Chloe Brecht's kick in the 30th minute. From there, both goalkeepers held things down, with the Warriors' Adri Lika tallying five saves and stopping Brecht's last game-tying shot attempt with less than four minutes to go.
Walsh (19-2-2) ended the season with a 12-match winning streak that dates back to Sept. 30. The Warriors blew past the first two rounds of the district bracket before squeaking by Jackson 1-0, then blew out Solon in the regional semifinals before besting Magnificat, Strongsville, and finally Liberty (19-3-1) by identical 2-1 scores.
Pachan was the team's unquestioned star throughout the tourney, recording 14 goals in seven games as well as all four in the state semis and finals. Junior Reagan Pentz added four goals of her own, including the decisive scores against Jackson and Strongsville.
Also on Friday, Rocky River took on Summit Country Day School for the D-II state championship, but lost a close battle, 1-0.
