Wildcats shutout Lansing to end regular season

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 16, 2023

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg sophomore Rowan Yows takes a shot on goal during a game earlier this season. Yows had an assist in the Wildcats’ 2-0 win at Lansing on Thursday. She also recorded a hat trick last Tuesday in a win over Ottawa.

LANSING — The Louisburg girls soccer team ended its regular season just how it had hoped — with a pair of victories.

Its final game came Thursday when the Wildcats traveled to Lansing. Louisburg did what it needed to do as it got a pair of second half goals and left with a 2-0 win over the Lions.

Louisburg ended the regular season with a 12-4 record and earned the No. 3 seed in the Class 4-1A playoffs.

The Wildcats did have to overcome a couple obstacles, but Louisburg head coach Ben York was pleased to see his team battle through those.

“We figured it out in the second half,” York said. “It wasn’t the greatest day for us, but the girls really fought hard and kept with it and had a good attitude. We took advantage of some opportunities and Lansing is a better team than when we saw them last.”

One of those obstacles was playing on a grass surface for the first time this season, and add in wet elements, it took awhile for the Lady Cats get going.

“Usually we will play on a few throughout the season, but this was a long, grass field and it was wet, so it took us a little while to get going,” York said. “We had many, many opportunities. We had at least six really good chances in the first half, but we just couldn’t get anything to go. The ball was moving slow.”

Louisburg picked it up in the second half and found the back of the net late in regulation. Senior Bree Gassman was on the receiving end of a cross from sophomore Rowan Yows to sneak it past the goalie.

**Louisburg junior Hailey Sword goes in to contest a 50-50 ball earlier in the season.**

Senior Adyson Ross added the second goal two minutes later off a deflection and the Wildcats were able to leave Lansing with a win.

Junior goalie Macy Lemke got the clean sheet with four saves on the night, while the Wildcats had nine shots on goal.

The Wildcats will now host No. 14 Chanute in the first round of the Class 4-1A playoffs at 5 p.m. today at Wildcat Stadium. The winner will play whoever advances between Bishop Miege and Ottawa for the championship Thursday.

Bishop Miege has won the last six state titles and the Stags would travel to Louisburg if both teams advance.

“We just need to stay focused on what is in front of us,” York said. “The girls are going to hear a lot of noise from the outside about who we could play, especially if it is that particular team. That is our path and we will figure it out. The coaches have watched a lot of film and we will put together a game plan. Hopefully the girls will come with a great attitude and we will do what we can.”

Wildcats blank Ottawa

Louisburg traveled to Ottawa last Tuesday for a Frontier League match and left with an easy 8-0 victory over the Cyclones.

The Wildcats scored four goals in each half and sophomore Rowan Yows led the Wildcats with a hat trick.

Adyson Ross opened the scoring on an assist from Ellery Allen to give Louisburg an early lead three minutes into the contest. Sophomore Baileigh Johnson, Yows, along with junior Lexi Hampton, all found the back of the net in the first half.

Yows began the scoring in the second half on a penalty kick, Hampton followed with her second goal, before Yows completed the hat trick. Ross sealed the win with her second goal of the match.

Allen, Yows, Lola Edwards and Johnson all had assists for the Wildcats.