There is a new champion, but also a repeat champion. An extensive section title streak was extended, but paired with sobs of disappointment. Cheers and elation, but not for a win.
Only in the quirky world of playoff soccer.
Churchville-Chili and Spencerport played to a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s Section V Class AA final. That result renders the teams co-champions.
Of the two clubs, the Saints are the happier of the two. Their season will continue into the NYSPHSAA regionals, thanks to a 4-2 advantage on PKs. Sentiment after the match was one of joy.
“I knew this was something we could achieve. It was just a matter of making the team believe in themselves,” Churchville-Chili coach Brooke Elnicky said. “It’s very exciting.”
Spencerport, meanwhile, extends its title streak to 10 years. That feat was paired with looks of confusion and sadness.
Both teams received section title medals and were offered an opportunity to take picture with the Section V championship block. Churchville-Chili did so happily. Spencerport did so reluctantly.
“You go down as co-champs, but obviously when your season doesn’t continue, you have mixed feelings,” Spencerport coach Jamie Schneider said. “It’s tough. They’re competitors. It’s hard to find that balance.”
Even in a decade-long span of success, there can be firsts. Of the Rangers’ 10 straight section titles, this was the only championship match decided by PKs.
Spencerport will have a chance to nab No. 11 next year, yet exits envious of Churchville-Chili. While two teams can share a sectional title, only one can play another game.
“I feel like the pain in my body hasn’t hit me yet,” said Saints senior Madison Mastrodonato. “I’m just so excited that we won.”
Tug-of-war ends in tie
In the first half, it looked as though Spencerport could cruise through another final. The Rangers had the early edge in corner kick attempts, and converted on their third try when sophomore defender Blakely Thornton dunked a lob from Allison Moss only 12 minutes into the contest.
There was a shift in tone for the second half. Passive in the first 40 minutes, Churchville-Chili became the aggressor in the second 40. The Saints were rewarded with 17 minutes remaining, on Shavonne Callahan’s strike from about 15 yards.
“When we were down 1-0 at halftime, I think we realized it wasn’t necessarily what Spencerport was doing, but what we weren’t,” Elnicky said. “We made some adjustments and some changes to get us to 1-1.”
Those efforts were nearly wasted when, with less than a minute remaining, Spencerport senior Liana Tata shook loose and hit a strike from about 35 yards that caught the post.
Spencerport had more chances across two 15-minute overtime periods, but couldn’t solve Saints goalkeeper Tessa Wood. The senior calmly collected every remaining shot directed her way.
Her performance secured the co-champions label, and an opportunity to advance via PKs.
Each team was provided five kicks. Both teams missed their first. Churchville-Chili then converted four straight, capped by Mastrodonato’s try, while Spencerport made the next two, but missed its fourth.
Front of mind for the Mastrodonato was last season’s final game, when Churchville-Chili was eliminated from the sectional tournament on PKs. She’s glad history didn’t repeat itself.
“We just had to put it in the net and not overthink,” Mastrodonato said. “I was one of the PK-takers last year and I missed it. There’s definitely a lot of pressure.”
By the numbers
4 — Sectional titles for Churchville-Chili. This is the Saints’ first championship since 2004, the final season of a three-peat.
11 — Rostered seniors for Spencerport. A veteran-laden group will lose a fair amount of firepower, chief among them Tata (six goals, five assists), Emily Peacock (21 goals) and Ryan Smith (10 goals).
3 — Goals this season for Churchville-Chili scorer Shavonne Callahan, the latest the most important of the bunch.
Up next
Churchville-Chili (15-3-1) will Frontier-VI in the NYSPHSAA far west regionals, Friday, Nov. 7 at Spencerport High School. The Saints have not appeared in the state tournament since 2003, but would return with a win.
Spencerport finishes 16-1-2.
Here is how the game unfolded:
Churchville-Chili vs. Spencerport: Game start
Spencerport receives the opening touch, and the Class AA final is underway.
Churchville-Chili 0, Spencerport 0: 30 minutes left in the first half
Spencerport has attempted two corners already. The second was the more dangerous of the two, as a header skips a few feet wide of the net.
Spencerport 1, Churchville-Chili 0: 28 minutes left in the first half
The Rangers’ third corner is true. The ball bounces around in the box, but sophomore Blakely Thornton eventually slams it home.
Spencerport 1, Churchville-Chili 0: Halftime
Shots are (unofficially) tied at two apiece, at the midway point.
Spencerport 1, Churchville-Chili 0: 22 minutes left in the second half
Spencerport nearly had its second goal. Emily Peacock broke in on a partial breakaway, but Saints goalkeeper Tessa Wood able to get in front of it, and the rebound attempt.
Churchville-Chili 1, Spencerport 1: 17:52 left in the second half
The Saints are on the board. Shavonne Callahan with the strike and the goal.
Churchville-Chili 1, Spencerport 1: End of the second half
Spencerport nearly won it in the final minute, but Liana Tata’s shot from about 35 yards drilled the post.
Churchville-Chili 1, Spencerport 1: End of overtime
After two 15-minute overtime periods, the teams play to a draw and are declared co-champions. PKs will determine who advances to state regionals.
Churchville-Chili 1, Spencerport 1: Final
The teams play to a draw and will share the Class AA title. Churchville-Chili scored on four of its five PK attempts and advances to the NYSPHSAA regional round.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Churchville-Chili, Spencerport play to draw in girls soccer final
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / MPNnow
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
