SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: SVEC NIPS TIOGA IN OVERTIME THRILLER (11 PHOTOS) (2018-09-14)
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BY TIM TAYLORTioga County Sports ReportSPENCER - Pride was on the line in this clash as as Spencer-Van Etten / Candor and Tioga clashed here Friday afternoon, each looking for its first win of the season. After nearly 66 minutes of back-and-forth battling, SVEC would emerge with a 5-4 overtime victory.
Despite the loss, Tioga head coach Jackie Taylor saw some positives to take away for the game.
"I
was really pleased with how well the girls played as a team," she said.
"They did a nice job with passing and communicating tonight, and
clicked really well."
Of course, Gentile was thrilled to see her team pick up its first win.
"We started 0-5 on
the season and they could just want to hang their heads and give up and
let it be a whatever season, but they came out yesterday and worked hard
in practice," said SVEC head coach Abby Gentile. "Today, they played
hard. They wanted it and I'm very happy for them.
Ryleigh Clark scored the game-winner from three yards out with 4:14 remaining in OT, putting back a rebound of a Kim Tarbox kick save.
That goal would give Clark a hat trick for the day, but it almost didn't happen.
Tioga had two penalty corner opportunities early in the extra session, but whiffed on a shot on the first attempt, and SVEC goalie Bella Young came up with a save shortly after the second corner.
The Tigers came out strong at the game's onset, Michaela Webb scoring with 26:23 left in the half.
SVEC's Madison Sousa tied it up at 22:15, then Clark scored her first goal at 14:10 for a 2-1 Eagle lead.
Young would make a pair of nice kick saves, one on a corner, in the final minutes of the half, to preserve the lead.
"She came up really big and then she came back in in the overtime and
same thing," Gentile said of Young. "You can't ever fault her hustle.
Bella did an awesome job."
The Tigers regrouped at the break, however, and Sarah Moon put one in the back of the cage at 27:24 to tie the game.
Tioga grabbed a 3-2 lead at 18:03 on an Olivia Ayres goal, but Clark's second tally of the day tied the contest at three apiece.
Cora Sousa got in on the scoring action, giving the Eagles a 4-3 lead at 11:55.
The Tigers weren't done though as Ayres notched her second goal at 4:38.
"We struggle to score and then, all of a sudden, we
come up with five in a game, so it's really surprising," Gentile said.
"We made some really nice opportunities that weren't taken advantage of.
"Tioga's
tough. They have some very explosive players. Those girls can get the
ball and immediately, immediately change the game."
SVEC (1-5) hosts Deposit / Hancock on Monday. Tioga (0-7) plays three home games next week, beginning with Walton on Monday.
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IN PHOTO 1: SVEC's Madison Sousa. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
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