When it comes to experience, Churchville-Chili’s Alexis Olson and Elise Faix are on opposite sides of the spectrum. One is a seasoned varsity player, the other a freshman full of youthful naivaté.
Yet both shared a similar thought back in August, that the Saints were capable of a length postseason run.
“From the start of the season, I knew we had a good team and that we were gonna make it,” Olson said.
“It was my first year so I didn’t know what to expect,” Faix said, “but I knew we had a chance.”
Chance is reality. Churchville-Chili will play in its first state title game, after defeating Warwick-IX 3-0 in the NYSPHSAA Class AA semifinal Saturday at Dryden High School.
Olson and Faix, along with senior Madison Mastrodonato scored for the Saints, while goalkeeper Tessa Wood picked up her fifth playoff shutout.
How Churchville-Chili reached the state final
One quirk of the state semifinal site at Dryden: The field dimensions are slightly more narrow than a standard soccer pitch.
With less space to operate, the defenses have the advantage. And of late, it was already near-impossible to score against the Saints, who’ve allowed only one goal since sectional play began.
Save for a flurry at the start of the second half, Warwick’s offensive chances were few.
“We ran a pressure-cover, and we had good shifting in the back. It just works really well,” Faix said.
There weren’t chances galore for Churchville-Chili, but the Saints were opportunistic. Awarded their first corner kick midway through the first half, Hailey Hotaling served the ball into the box that Olson, with her height advantage, was able to head into the goal.
That conversion was Olson’s eighth of the season, but only the second off a set piece.
“Just have to make sure you’re moving off the ball and running onto it, and get something on it,” Olson said.
The one-goal lead held until 13 minutes remained in the second half, when Mastrodonato fired a high shot that clipped the crossbar and dropped into the net.
Minutes later, Faix was fouled in the goal box and was granted a penalty kick. She delivered Churchville-Chili’s third goal on a low kick, her team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Not too shabby, for a varsity newcomer.
“It just feels great to be on the team with everyone,” she said.
Up next
Churchville-Chili faces Albertus Magnus-I in the Class AA state final. The Falcons have won two state titles in the last three seasons.
Here is how the game unfolded:
Churchville-Chili 0, Warwick 0: Game start
The first great chance belongs to the Saints, as Ava Fedele has a strike inside the goal box.
Churchville-Chili 1, Warwick 0: 19:19 left in the first half
Saints awarded their first corner kick and take advantage. Hailey Hotaling takes it, and Alexis Olson heads it in.
Churchville-Chili 1, Warwick 0: Halftime
Clean first half for the Saints. Warwick afforded a couple corner kicks through the first 40 minutes, but neither translates to much offense.
Churchville-Chili 1, Warwick 0: 33:30 left in the second half
Wildcats starting to push the Saints’ defense. Warwick just had its best chance, as Johannah Bradley clipped the cross bar from about 20 yards out.
Churchville-Chili 1, Warwick 0: 19 minutes left in the second half
Saints nearly had their second of the game. Jill Ewing able to run down the left wing, and her try curls in but hits the post.
Churchville-Chili 2, Warwick 0: 13 minutes left in the second half
Madison Mastrodonato drops in a shot from 35 yards that banks off the crossbar and in. Shavonne Callahan credited with the assist.
Churchville-Chili 3, Warwick 0: 11 minutes left in the second half
Elise Faix taken down in the goal box and awarded a penalty kick. Her low shot goes in.
Churchville-Chili 3, Warwick 0: Final
Saints record their sixth shutout of the postseason, and will now play in their first state title game against the winner of Albertus Magnus-I and West Islip-XI.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Churchville-Chili girls soccer defeats Warwick to reach first state title game
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
