Maggie Sauer scores two goals for healthier Lady Colonels in 3-0 first-round region win

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. – Nearly back at full strength, Henderson County began the defense of its four straight Second Region titles with a 3-0 victory over Caldwell County Monday in the first round of the regional girls' soccer tournament.

Maggie Sauer, who missed nine games during the season with an ankle injury, scored two goals in the victory.

Starters Ashby Greenwell, Reese Crafton and Whitnie West all returned from recent injuries as Henderson County improved its record to 12-6-4 and gave sixth-year head coach Ben Dempsey his 100th career victory.

Dempsey, whose teams have won four straight region titles, owns a 100-30-11 record. Two more victories would not only give Dempsey his fifth region crown but also tie him with Scott Wilson as the Lady Colonels’ leader in career wins with 102.

Sauer scored her first goal in the 12th minute as she followed a shot that deflected off Caldwell County goalkeeper Karsyn Parker to give Henderson County a 2-0 lead. She also scored the only goal of the second half in the 43rd minute on a one-on-one goal off the assist from Kate Reusch.

In addition to her goal scoring, Sauer made an impact in the game were her steadying presence. “That’s the best Maggie has played since we got her back. She was good on the ball. Her composure on the ball is what we’ve needed all season. That helps us out. It calms the team down whenever things are a little bit frantic and she can hold the ball for us,” Dempsey said.

Sauer missed the middle portion of the season with a sprained left ankle. While she has played in the team’s last nine games, the other injured Lady Colonels made their return to the field on Monday.

Greenwell missed the last three games with a concussion. “She didn’t have to make a lot of saves tonight, but it gives our defenders a lot of confidence (with her in there),” Dempsey said. “It allows them to play a little bit more on the ball.”

Crafton, who was injured in the final regular-season game against Owensboro Catholic, saw some time off the bench in the second half.

West, who missed the last four games with a knee injury, also saw some playing time off the bench.

“It’s not fun coming off the bench, but three weeks ago we didn’t know if she was going to play. I thought she played well tonight and gave us a lot of energy,” said Dempsey, who expects the team to be at full strength on Wednesday when the Lady Colonels face Hopkinsville (12-9-1) at 5:30 p.m.

The Lady Tigers advanced to the semifinals with a 7-1 victory over Lyon County in Monday’s other first-round game.

Caldwell County (12-8-2) helped the Lady Colonels prepare for the remainder of the tournament.

“Caldwell is probably one of the best two seeds in the state. They are physical and athletic. They made it tough on us at times,” Dempsey said. “It was good that we had a really good test. I’d rather go into a tournament and be pushed from the first game. I thought we were awake and alert instead of having an easier game to start. It gets us ready for a really good Hopkinsville team.”

Sauer said the team was confident about Monday’s contest but were also focused. “We all came down here excited and wanting to play. We didn’t want this to be our last game. We had our heads in the game.”

Caitlyn Honeycutt scored Henderson County's other goal less than 3:00 into the match off a corner kick from Isabella McChessney.

Henderson County won its only regular-season meeting with Hopkinsville (12-9-1) 2-0 on Sept. 5 at the Stadium of Champions.

In Tuesday’s first-round matches, host University Heights (9-6-2) takes on Webster County (10-7) at 5 p.m. followed by Madisonville (18-1-1) against Trigg County (8-11).

The championship match is Thursday at 7 p.m.