SANDUSKY — Two Eastwood freshmen, forward Ava Kachmarik and midfielder Josie Applehans, scored to lead the Eagles to a 2-0 shutout over Apple Creek Waynedale in a Division III regional final Tuesday at Cedar Point Stadium.

“I am so unbelievably proud of them,” Eastwood senior defender Amelia Ward said. “They have come so far this season.

“They were nervous coming into tonight and I told them to just play the game of soccer and they completely crushed it.”

Eastwood coach Julie Cross added, “Our freshmen really stepped up today.”

These Eagles were not afraid to show how tough they were from the get-go, despite playing in in light snow and freezing temperatures.

Despite the conditions, every Eastwood starter was dressed like it was a 70-degree day, not wearing sweatpants, but every Waynedale starter except one was wearing sweats and doing all they could to stay warm.

“Our senior class, they said we are wearing shorts,” Cross said. “No, they didn’t want the leggings on. They did get, some of them, wore under-armor, but yeah.”

In Eastwood’s win, the Eagles dominated possession, outshooting the Golden Bears, 24-4, including 13-3 in shots on goal.

Eastwood did not allow a corner kick opportunity, but took three, and the Eagles did not allow the Golden Bears to get a single shot in the first half.

Eastwood’s midfielders controlled the tempo with a smooth passing game, leading to 65% of possession time going toward the Eagles. Ward said the weather was a factor in how the Eagles played.

“All year we’ve worked on switching the field and how we can move the ball fast up the middle and switch fields in the back line by going down the sidelines if we want to.” Ward said.

“I think today really showed it and we controlled it, and with the weather we were very controlled and very consistent, so hats off to everybody.”

Cross added, “We definitely put them on their heels right away. We connected very well. We’re not used to playing on turf, so that was something.

“Honestly, we played one of our best passing games, just connecting and knowing where everybody was at, and just our patience of letting things develop and not forcing things.”

Eastwood senior goalkeeper Jordan Gensen did not have to handle the ball until after 30 minutes and 23 seconds of soccer had passed, taking her first punt. Eastwood’s defense didn’t take their first goal kick until five minutes into the second half.

Eastwood did appear to have a goal by senior midfielder Delaine Zura, the team’s top scorer, who scored off a free kick just seven minutes and three seconds after the opening kickoff, but it was waived because of an offsides whistle.

On an assist from senior forward Saylor King, Kachmarik eventually broke the scoreless tie with 12:12 remaining in the first half and the Eagles maintained their 1-0 lead until intermission.

Applehans scored the Eagles’ second goal with 15:09 remaining in the game, assisted by sophomore midfielder Piper Sutton. Because of Eastwood’s dominance, it would have taken a miracle for the Golden Bears to come back down 2-0.

Cross said it may have helped that Eastwood was taking on a team the Eagles had not seen before.

“I think it was just different because it was a team that we weren’t familiar with,” Cross said. “We knew a little bit about them and I tried to find out what I could.

“But for them being from the Northeast District, it wasn’t a team like last week, Woodmore (Eastwood beat 3-2 in overtime during the district final), where everybody kind of knows what everybody does.”

The 14th-ranked Eagles, 16-3-1, advance to the regional final to take on No. 2 Ottawa-Glandorf (20-1) at noon Saturday at Tiffin’s Frost-Kalnow Stadium. The winner advances to the state semifinals.

The Titans defeated Mount Blanchard Riverdale (10-6-5), 5-0, at Lima Shawnee High School Tuesday.

“We’ll enjoy this one tonight, we’ll get under cover and rest a little bit, and get back out there tomorrow and whoever is next we are ready for them,” Cross said.

“O-G, their coach, Michelle Maag, she’s done a phenomenal job with their program. I’m excited to see. They have a great team and actually were state runners-up the last two years.”

While reaching the regional tournament is nothing new to Eastwood under coach Cross and her predecessor, Megan Rutherford, for Waynedale (13-6-1), it was a new experience.

“This team has really pushed themselves to be the first group to get here and now the other girls can look up to that and say, ‘We can do that,’” Waynedale coach Kelly Lawlis said.

“We can get there, and that’s good playing that far. The cold weather, the atmosphere, and that is a lot to take on when it is their first time here. The seniors are leaving a legacy for sure. It’s fun to see that as a Waynedale alum — taking the girls here.

“It’s super special. One of my assistant coaches from high school is actually here, too, and you know we can say we went further than almost any other WCAL (Wayne County Athletic League) team this year, too. (Creston) Norwayne is still going,” Lawlis continued.

“It’s been a great season. Our previous record for wins is nine. We got to 13, eight shutouts is a record, also, and goals scored is a record. It is a great group.”