Lakota East's Erik Reynolds celebrates his goal. (Mike Simons photo) | ZOOM |

SET AS WALLPAPER: Click here for bigger image, then right click to Set As Wallpaper

        Lakota West scored two goals in a 59-second span late in the first half en route to a 3-0 victory over LaSalle in a Division I district championship game Saturday at Mason High School.

        Lakota West advances to Tuesday's regional semifinal at West Carrollton, against the winner of the Huber Heights Wayne/Clayton Northmont game.

        “We're a tough team to beat when we get up two goals,” Lakota West coach Steve Cummins said.

        Firebirds freshman goalie Jeremy Curington was knocked down in the box after catching a corner kick. The guilty LaSalle player was issued a yellow card, but more importantly, the play energized Lakota West.

        “We have a freshman in goal and they knocked him down. We don't like to get pushed around,” said Kevin Noschang. “That played really pumped us up.”

        Lakota West got on the board 40 seconds after the incident. With 8:51 remaining in the first half the Firebirds scored off Kenney Bertz's long throw-in. Bertz found an open Brian Hubert, who tapped in an empty-net goal.

        Lakota West then continued to apply pressure. With 7:52 remaining Noschang scored a breakaway goal, beating a defender at mid field and dribbled past goalie Kyle Wunderlich.

        “Kevin Fuller played a nice ball to me. I was able to get around the defender and the goalie,” Noschang said. “We've been able to score goals in groups like we did today.”

        Lakota West added an insurance goal 2:30 into the second half when Ian Mellenkamp scored off Matt Fuller's corner kick.

        The Firebirds' defense held LaSalle to one shot on goal.

        Curington set a school record for consecutive shutouts with six. The freshman entered the season ranked sixth on the depth chart behind a senior, two sophomores and two freshmen.

        “Two months ago, I never thought I would be here now,” he said. “But I was determined to get to this point.”

        Seven games ago, Curington received his first playing time, in the second half against Turpin. He has started every game since and hasn't allowed a goal as a starter.

        “Jeremy is very agressive and a very tough kid, which is the key. He controls the box and handles the pressure extremely well,” Cummins said. “He has progressed faster than any player I've seen.”

        DIVISION I: ILakota East set up a possible rematch with Lakota West with a 2-1 shootout victory over Loveland at Fairfield in a Division I district final.

        A shot by Loveland's fifth penalty-kick shooter hit the top bar and bounced down and out of the goal. Lakota East's fifth man, T.J. Meyers, followed with a goal to give the Thunderhawks a district title.

        The same schools experienced a similar situation two years ago, with Lakota East's fourth man missing and Loveland's fifth man making a shot to send the game into another shootout.

        DIVISION II: Indian Hill gave Ross its first loss of the season, 2-1 in a shootout.

        After scoring Indian Hill's lone goal in regulation, Mike Tuddenham was moved to goalie for the shootout. He stopped Justin Elam's shot to give Indian Hill a 5-4 edge.

        • Turpin beat Wyoming 11-1 behind four goals from Mark Burch and two goals from Brad Gilpin.

        Turpin improved to 15-2-2 while giving Wyoming just its second loss of the season.

        DIVISION III: Defending state champion Summit Country Day took another step toward a repeat title with a 1-0 win over league rival Cincinnati Country Day.

        CCD won 1-0 in the first game between the teams this season and tied the second 2-2.

        Mike Dwyers' goal was the only offense in a defensive battle. Mike Fessler posted the shutout for the Silver Knights, making 12 saves.

        • Phira Lorth scored two goals to lead Madeira to a 2-1 upset over No.2 seeded Seven Hills at An derson.

Sports Stories

Complete prep football coverage at Enquirer.com/prepfootball 22 local teams make Ohio football playoffs Projected computer rankings Flesch keeps Tiger at bay Purdue 31, Ohio State 27 Thomas More 17, Defiance 7 Manchester 36, Mount St. Joseph 14 Estill stars in UK scrimmage NFL Insider WXIX still trying to fill UC job Auto Racing Insider Boys soccer roundup Boys cross country roundup Girls cross country roundup Notre Dame falls in volleyball finals Mighty Ducks 2, Rochester 1 Orlando 3, Cyclones 1

Reds wait on Piniella, Valentine
1975 World Series: Game 7
LeBeau sticks with run
Little changes make big difference
Bengals, Browns look painfully familiar
Who's got the edge?
Bengals-Browns by the numbers
Players to watch
Five Questions with Marc Edwards
UC 45, Miami 15
DAUGHERTY: UC gets a peek performance
Tide turned quickly for RedHawks
UC-Miami Notebook
UC freshmen raise eyebrows in scrimmage
XU looking for depth in frontcourt