Walsh Jesuit girls soccer reaches 2nd state final in 3 years with win over Strongsville

MACEDONIA -- Make it an even dozen for the Walsh Jesuit girls soccer team.

Virginia Tech commit Hannah Pachan pushed the Warriors to their second state final in two years by lifting Walsh to a 2-1 win over Strongsville.

Reagan Pentz drew a foul from 25 yards out with a little more than nine minutes to play, and Pachan showed the calm that has made her a standout for the Warriors (17-2-3).

She stood over the ball and waited for the Mustangs (17-2-2) to set up. She then drilled a shot into the upper 90 on the left side and past a diving Abby Kudla for a goal.

Strongsville got on the board first when Paige Kudla blistered a shot from the right side that keeper Adri Lika got a paw on. That wasn't enough, however, and it found the left corner of the net with 27:20 left before the break.

Previous coverage: Walsh Jesuit girls soccer wins regional, sets up OHSAA state semifinal with Strongsville

That lead lasted a little over 17 minutes when Pentz and Pachan dialed yet again. Pentz took the ball up the right side and sent a cross in from 29 yards out.

The ball bounced once and found the head of a diving Pachan who beat the goalie Abby Kudla to the right side with 10:10 left before intermission.

Walsh will play Olentangy Liberty (19-2-1) after the Patriots upset reigning state champ Seton 4-2.

That game will take place Friday at 4 p.m. at Historic Columbus Crew Stadium.

Walsh has won 10 state titles. Liberty, meanwhile, has never been to a state final.

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA girls soccer: Walsh Jesuit reaches its 12th state championship