By Cox News Service

BEAVERCREEK | ­— A narrow regular-season defeat at Beavercreek gave Centerville confidence. Thursday, tenacious play on both ends netted the Elks a win in the rematch.

Building a 2-0 first half lead, Centerville's girls upset top seeded Beavercreek 3-1 in the Division I Dayton 1 district soccer final at Frank Zink Field. It was the Elks' first win over the Beavers since a 2-1 shootout victory in the 2002 district final, which also was played at Creek.

With the win, third-seeded Centerville (16-2-2) advances to Wednesday's regional semifinal against Northmont at Cedarville University. Beavercreek, ranked eighth in the state poll, finishes 17-2-1. The Beavers were attempting to reach the regional for the fourth time in five years.

"We went into the bracket knowing we wanted to come back here and play them again," Centerville coach Don Skelton said. "We weren't afraid. We felt we had a chance."

"We came in really, really pumped," Centerville senior Ashley Vaughan added. "We thought it would be a close game, but I'm not surprised by the outcome. We played better than them tonight."

Winning its seventh game in a row since a 2-1 loss to Creek on Oct. 5, the Elks overpowered the hosts from the start.

Dictating play with aggressiveness, Centerville took a 1-0 lead when Laura Kavanaugh knocked in a corner kick from Katie Parker at the 26:53 mark of the first half. Vaughan increased the advantage to 2-0 on a goal assisted by Emily Parker.

Defensively, the Elks were just as efficient. Keeper Kelly Robie made six first-half saves, and the rest of the Centerville defenders constantly thwarted Creek chances with timely tap-outs.

Kristen Arnold finally got the Beavers on the board by sinking a penalty kick with 24:30 left in the game. Centerville responded 10 minutes later, when Molly Shiels knocked in a pass from Courtenay Parsons to end the scoring.

Creek peppered the Centerville goal in the final minutes, but the Elks didn't wilt.

"We come out and play to win every game," Creek coach Steve Popp said. "But Centerville came out strong tonight and played a very spirited game. Their attack was exceptionally strong, and when we had a breakdown, they capitalized and made something happen."

Said Skelton: "Everything went the way we wanted it to."

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