By CHUCKIE MAGGIO
The question among Penfield supporters as they filed out of Webster Thomas High School on Saturday evening did not address the upcoming state semifinal matchup against Massapequa. Rather, it concerned a large vehicle.
“Fire truck or not?”
Towns frequently send a fire engine or police car escort to help a high school team celebrate a big win, but the trucks appeared to be held at the station this time. A state championship, the fans surmised, would certainly call for more lights and sirens.
Penfield is two wins away from a state title after its 1-0 victory over Lancaster in the Class AA Far West Regional. The Patriots’ semifinal matchup is scheduled for next Saturday afternoon at Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Though the Patriots didn’t dwell on it postgame, more focused on their new regional championship plaque, head coach Libbie Tobin admitted her team could have scored more. Lancaster played the final 30 minutes down a player after midfielder Nevada Hahn was issued a red card. Penfield controlled possession for the remainder of the contest, while Lancaster settled for counterattack chances.
“I did think we were gonna get one or two,” Tobin remarked. “We had our chances. That happens, but we stayed tough and kept the ball in our end. That’s what we wanted to do, when we were up a person.”
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Penfield recorded seven shots on goal to Lancaster’s four, and their first shot on target happened to be the deciding goal. Courtney Felton headed a ball directly in front of the net off Lancaster goalkeeper Shealyn Vanderbosch and into the net with 25:27 remaining in the first half. Vanderbosch, a Syracuse University commit, made six saves before leaving the game late after colliding with a teammate in the box.
Paytyn Crane and Etta Herman earned a shutout, Penfield’s second in its last three games.
“Courtney’s goal was fantastic,” Tobin said. “That’s what these games come down to: big plays… Our keepers did a nice job making some good saves in the first half. Overall, I don’t know if it came down to our keepers, but definitely they did their job. I’m proud of them.”
Lancaster was also issued a yellow card before the sendoff, two heated moments in an overall physical game. Tobin was glad her players were able to keep their composure in the tense environment.
“These girls are very experienced,” Tobin commented. “Even our section is very physical, so they’ve been through this. I thought the refs did a good job trying to keep control. The girls just have to stay to their game, mentally tough.”
Penfield lost in this round in 2019, falling 3-2 to Clarence. Crane and Felton were among the Patriots on that roster who avenged that loss two years ago. They are relative newcomers to this stage, while Massapequa is a perennial semifinalist, but the Patriots will enter the game as the higher seed.
“They’re so excited,” Tobin said. “It’s really a special group. I’m very fortunate to be working with this group, because they come and they have fun; they work hard and they really get along. It’s just a lot of fun, and I said to them, ‘We want to be out here next week practicing.’
“They really want this. They just want to keep playing for each other and that’s what it’s all about.”
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