VW girls soccer breaks into the win column

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports

Last year, a difficult decision was made at Van Wert High School – due ongoing struggles on the field, it was decided to step back from varsity girls soccer for a few seasons. The team had gone 0-16 (0-9 WBL) in 2024 and hadn’t won a match since the 2021 season, when the squad finished 1-15.

While the pause button was hit on varsity play, the program didn’t shut down completely. Instead, it was agreed that the team would play at the junior varsity level to allow the program to become more competitive. Judging by Monday night’s result, the program is making strides on the road to improvement.

Playing at home, the Cougars recorded their first girls soccer win, varsity or junior varsity in four seasons with a 3-2 victory over Lima Sr.

Alianna Estrada scored the first goal of the game in the opening half and put Van Wert ahead 1-0, with the assist going to Alex Showalter.

“We netted the first goal for a change and watched the girls’ confidence just explode,” an elated head coach Ashley Showalter said.

Lima Sr. tied the game 1-1 by halftime with a goal by Amya Armstead. However, Lilly Mason put the Cougars ahead 2-1 in the second half with the first of her two goals, assisted by Showalter. Lima Sr. was able to tie it up 2-2 on a goal by Loudjina David, but Mason came through with what provided to be the game winner, with the assist going to Stella Hoskins.

Estrada and Showalter each had eight shots on goal and Mason had seven. Showalter had a penalty kick that just hit wide off the left crossbar. Deveigh Maller finished with 15 saves in the win.

“Coach Freddy (Rodriguez) and I knew there was something different about this season and we just couldn’t put our finger on what it was,” Showalter said. “I did the lineup and made some some serious changes for this game at the shock of some of the players, but it worked. As we watched it from the sideline we knew the changes were firing exactly in the order we wanted.”

“It has been a long time coming and it is owed to everyone who has backed the program and told me to keep pushing over the past five years,” she added.

Van Wert (1-1) will return to action at home against Bath at 5 p.m. next Tuesday.