By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
Alyssa Hackett fell one goal shy of a hat trick during Tuesday’s Class A regional qualifier against Pittsford Mendon, denied when her shot clanked off the right post 10 minutes into the second half. She thought the shot was finding the back of the net.
“Yeah, I wish it did,” Hackett remarked, “but I’m still satisfied with two.”
The senior’s first goal just 9:54 into the contest turned out to be all Spencerport needed to represent Section V in the state tournament. The Rangers prevailed 2-0 at Webster Schroeder High School and will face Section VI champion Grand Island at Webster Thomas on Saturday.
Spencerport controlled possession, holding Mendon without a shot on goal until the final seconds. The Rangers peppered double-digit shots at Mendon goalkeeper Leah Shaffer, who made nine saves.
“I thought it was a really good game, especially in our midfield,” Spencerport coach Jamie Schneider said. “We connected a lot of passes; we dictated play through the midfield, and that was a key. We were hoping to have a few more on the scoreboard. That didn’t happen, but it was still a good performance and we’ll move on from it.”
Aleena Solano found Hackett for the opening goal, while Lily Brongo’s kick redirected in front of the net and Hackett kneed in the finish. Emma Watson came close to adding insurance just five minutes before halftime on a pass from Kendall Mesh.
“She’s been with us for a long time and has experienced a lot of success,” Schneider said of Hackett, who is committed to play collegiate soccer at Saint Peter’s. “She’s ending her career on such a high note with her performance and leading her team to championships.”
Spencerport’s stout defense, one of the biggest reasons it hasn’t lost to a Section V opponent in over two years, allowed the Rangers to attack the net without worry of a breakdown on the Mendon counterattack. Hackett individually credited Mesh, Emma Taylor and Shannon Fitzgerald for their work on the Rangers’ end.
“To be able to trust them like that, I think that just makes us ten times better,” Hackett assessed. “I don’t have to worry about Shannon missing a ball or Kendall missing a ball. I know that they’ll be there and they’ll have our backs.”
Spencerport has shut out 14 of its 19 opponents this season. The Rangers will transition from preparing for the Mendon Vikings to readying for the Grand Island Vikings, and they are happy to be playing more soccer.
“It’s everything to us,” Hackett said, “just because with the shortened season last year, it just ended with sectionals. To be able to go on and go to the final four, to possibly go back to states, it’s everything. We can’t wait to go further.”
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