By PAUL GOTHAM
On Tuesday night, the Spencerport girls took the opening kickoff and proceeded to connect more than a dozen passes on the game’s first possession. Whether into space or to feet, the ball glided fluidly from player to player.
One could easily envision the movement as that of an orchestrated practice drill rehearsed daily on their home turf. Except this was being executed during a competitive event.
And the Rangers continued from there leaving no doubt in winning their fifth game in as many tries.
“We are solid in every position, every position,” Spencerport head coach Jamie Schneider said after the Rangers’ 3-0 win over Our Lady of Mercy in non-league action. “Offensively, we just have great ball movement, great movement off the ball. We can really move the ball. That’s been our strongest point is just possession – winning the midfield, moving the ball.”
Senior Corynna Rotoli and junior Lily Brongo combined on a pair of goals in the win.
“Today everything felt like it was on point,” Brongo said. “Other days, we definitely have some where we don’t connect. Today it did feel like everything clicked.”
Rotoli settled a Brongo cross from the right wing and took a second touch before connecting from just inside the 18-yard box. Less than 14 minutes had elapsed and the Rangers had a lead they did not surrender.
14’ Corynna Rotoli tucks a Lily Brongo cross under the bar to give @Rangers_GSOC a 1-0 lead pic.twitter.com/6babOQb4rP
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2020
“Lily and I have played together for how many years,” said Rotoli who collected her team-leading seventh marker of the season. “Every time, whether we’re looking or not, we manage to get it to each other. We’ve rehearsed all these runs in practice and it just clicked today.”
The game stayed that way until early in the second half when Rotoli pushed the ball along the left wing and led a cutting Brongo to the top of 18 for her first goal of the season.
The Spencerport girls have outscored opponents 17-1 thus far this season. Rotoli has been the most frequent contributor, and Schneider knows all too well the value of finishing plays.
“Soccer can be a cruel game,” he said. “You can do so many things right, but until you find the back of the net it can be for nothing. To be able to execute is critical.”
To be fair, Mercy was playing its third game in four days. On Monday, the Monarchs downed Pittsford Sutherland in overtime. They found little traction, though, in being able to build off that win.
48’ Opportunity for Sissy Smith. Kate Burns is there for the save. @Rangers_GSOC 2 @OLMathletics 0 pic.twitter.com/xBOs9jURzC
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2020
“First half, Mercy was a good team,” Schneider noted. “We really didn’t create as many chances as we normally do. We didn’t win the midfield as much or create as many chances as we had been in the first four games. It was nice to finish the opportunities we created.”
Amy Cannan scored her second goal of the game in the 64th minute. Aleena Solano earned the assist when the freshman ran down the rebound off her own shot before feeding Cannan for the insurance tally.
67’ Outstanding second effort from Aleena Solano produces a goal for teammate Amy Canaan. @Rangers_GSOC 3-0 pic.twitter.com/twZMScKbO9
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2020
Cate Burns and Kailee DiGiacco combined on the shutout. Burns collected four saves while DiGiacco collected made two stops.
🤛 out courtesy of Kate Burns. pic.twitter.com/pLYunEEqXN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 20, 2020
Winners of four straight sectional titles, the Rangers have made three trips to the state championship game during that time and come out on top twice. With the state tournament being cancelled as a result of COVID-19, this Spencerport team will be denied the chance to measure itself against the state’s best.
That hasn’t deterred the current group from continuing a tradition of success built in the Spencerport program.
“We are looking toward the divisional championship and sectional championship,” Rotoli said. “We’ve done it for how many years in a row? It’s an honor to continue it with Lily, Sabrina (Trapani) and our other captain Emma (Taylor). We just keep going.”
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