Soccer notebook: Ottoville teams, Elida girls bow out of tournament

WAPAKONETA – Ottoville has managed to survive early deficits before. However, in Wednesday’s Division V boys’ soccer regional semifinal at Mercy Health/Wapakoneta VFW Post 8445 Field, Ottoville could not overcome an early deficit against No. 8 Ottawa Hills. Ottawa Hills jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half, added two more goals in the second half, then turned away several Ottoville rallies down the stretch, en route to a 4-0 victory. With the win, Ottawa Hills (14-2-4) will take on Creston Norwayne (15-4-1) in a Division V regional final this coming Sunday at Shelby High School, with kick-off set for 3 p.m. Ottoville finished its season with a 12-6-3 overall record. For the game, Ottawa Hills out-shot Ottoville 10-3. “Our team never quit, though,” Ottoville coach Dustin Markward said. “So, yes, they scored a goal early on, but we’ve been in that position before. We still felt pretty confident. Even at halftime – down 2-0 – we still felt like we were generating enough opportunitie