By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Adam Palumbo commended his team for showing mental toughness.
Having lasted for 110 minutes of field play before converting eight penalty kicks, Palumbo didn’t overlook his squad’s ability to stay together through it all.
“The girls, more power to them, they were composed,” Palumbo said after his No. 4 seed Pittsford Sutherland girls’ soccer team advanced on PKs to Saturday’s Section V Class A2 championship game. “I loved it. I admire everything that they did.”
In doing so, the Knights outlasted top-seeded Greece Athena (No. 19 NYSSWA Class A).
The two teams had split decisions during the regular season with Athena winning 1-nil on September ninth. Sutherland avenged that loss with a 3-0 victory on October 1st.
“Playing against Athena, defensively they’re solid,” Palumbo said of the challenge. “I don’t know how many goals they let in all year. It wasn’t a lot.”
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Nearly 50 minutes passed Wednesday night before Sutherland’s Laura Bennett sent a blast off the crossbar. Teammate Abby Dunigan gathered the rebound and gave the Knights a 1-nil lead with 30:32 remaining in regulation.
50’ Abby Dunnigan takes advantage of a second chance off a rebound from Laura Bennett’s blast to give @VarKnightSoccer a 1-0 lead. @abennett119 pic.twitter.com/ZkY202OPvk
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 28, 2021
That lead stood until Wrianna Hudson connected on the equalizer for Athena (13-4-1) with 13:01 left on the clock.
The sophomore forward, who came into the game with 25 goals scored, broke free along the left wing and finished in the far-side netting.
The game stayed that way for the remainder of regulation, two 10-minute overtime stanzas and a pair of five-minute golden goal sessions.
13:01 remaining GOAL Wrianna Hudson levels the match for @AthenaHigh pic.twitter.com/sbRBjhGY1c
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 28, 2021
“You’ve done everything that you could,” Palumbo said of the mindset heading into PKs. “You’ve practiced the shots. You do it.”
Sutherland converted its first eight attempts. Moran Pochtar stopped the Trojans’ final try for the win.
Big save for Emilee Montagliano and we are going to PKs. pic.twitter.com/XnRR418w9Y
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 28, 2021
Palumbo’s squad (12-5-1) opened the season with two wins in its first six games. The Knights brought an eight-game winning streak into Wednesday’s contest having allowed just one goal during that stretch.
“We’re buying into the philosophy of how we would like to play,” Palumbo said. “We are pretty good in the back now and our 11 as a team. It’s just been amazing.”
Sutherland will face cross-town rival Pittsford Mendon in Saturday’s final. The two teams split a pair of regular-season meetings with Mendon taking a 2-1 decision on September 18th. Sutherland won the rematch, 1-0. A 3:00 p.m. kickoff is scheduled at Webster Schroeder.
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