Scholtz scores six goals, Wildcat goalie adds another in rout

Louisburg sophomore forward Mackenzie Scholtz beats a defender during a game earlier this season. Scholtz scored six goals Monday in the Wildcats’ 11-1 rout of Ottawa at Ottawa High School.

Louisburg senior Shay Whiting has been one of the top goalkeepers in the Frontier League for the past 2-plus seasons.

So when she wasn’t in goal in the team’s match with Ottawa on Monday, it was a little different. Instead of playing at the net, Whiting saw action on the Louisburg attack.

It was a memorable moment to say the least.

When it was all said and done, the Wildcats celebrated their 11-1 win over the Cyclones at Ottawa High School, but one goal stood out among the rest.

Whiting got her first career goal in the second half as she got a rebound off a free kick and put it in the back of the net in the 68^th minute.

“I decided to start Carson (Buffington) in goal, because since last summer Shay has been hinting at wanting to score a goal,” Louisburg coach Kyle Conley said. “We spoke last week, and before the game, and I made the final decision to make her a field player. So as we started to progress throughout the game, we sent her in. She got a through ball right off the bat, but hit it over.

“Then on a free kick we got her set up for a through ball again and this time the keeper made a save but Shay followed it up for the goal. The bench exploded with emotion and Shay was ecstatic.”

The score was just one of many positives for the Wildcat team as they were able to break through the Ottawa defense for several chances on goal and none took advantage more than Mackenzie Scholtz.

Scholtz, a sophomore forward, scored a career-high six goals and added an assist. She scored three goals in each half and recorded a hat trick 33 minutes into the contest.

Senior Bailey Belcher also had strong game with three goals of her own and had four assists. Sophomore Erin Lemke scored the game’s final goal in the 75^th minute to enforce the mercy rule. Olivia Barber and Morgan Messer each also recorded an assist.

Louisburg scored three goals in the first nine minutes to take an early lead, but started to slow down offensively in the first half, but still had a 5-1 lead at halftime.

“We actually didn’t play well in the first half,” Conley said “We are still trying to find some consistency in our play. We show some signs of brilliance, but struggle to be consistent. The last 15 minutes of the game the girls got it and played very well. The kids finished the game at a high level and did a nice job.”

Louisburg (10-5) will try to end its regular season on a high as it hosts Spring Hill on Thursday for Senior Night. The Wildcats will honor their four seniors – Bailey Belcher, Shay Whiting, Savannah Reinhart and Avery Barber – in a pregame ceremony before their 6 p.m. start.

“Spring Hill is currently ranked No. 1 in our region and we are ranked No. 4,” Conley said. “Spring Hill is a fantastic team and are playing really well right now. It’s going to be a fantastic environment for our Senior Night.”