By TIM IRVING
“It was the kickstart we needed because at first it was kinda just back and forth…I never like that.”
Spencerport junior sweeper Kendall Mesh watched her team score a fifth minute goal and the second-seeded Rangers advanced to the Class A semifinals with a 2-0 victory over number seven Our Lady of Mercy.
Mesh and her defense played in their end for much of the first four minutes but Liana Tata and Aleena Solano combined to draw a corner kick and the momentum changed fields.
Lindsay Lenhard sent the corner in and the ball got away from Monarch’s keeper Bella Mitrano. Isabella Fiorello knocked it in and the Rangers woke from a slow start.
The Rangers’ attack continued throughout the first half but Mitrano made a couple of big plays, including a save on freshman Emily Peacock on a breakaway to keep the score 1-0 at halftime.
Spencerport starts two freshmen up front, Peacock and Tata, but Mesh and the other upperclassmen have watched them improve steadily.
“Actually, right now, they’re killing it but we’ve been emphasizing them coming to the ball more and they’re doing great.”
Head coach Jamie Schneider added, “We lost a lot of players from last year, a lot of talent and we’ve had our share of learning curve with some failures but they’ve responded so well.”
A veteran defense has allowed that young attack to grow, with Mesh in the middle and senior captains Sydney Khuns and Shannon Fitzgerald on the outside in front of keeper Cate Burns.
“It does start up front with us, good press, cover and balance but individual defending, the back three did a great job,” Schneider said.
The Rangers spent much of the second half getting back to their basics; getting the ball outside and forcing Mercy to give up corner kicks, to the tune of eight second half corners and 13 for the game.
With seven minutes left, the Rangers pressing on the right side, Tata came to a throw-in and cracked a ball from edge of the box, 20 yards out, and scored and insurance goal to put Spencerport into the semifinals.
“We wanted to improve their confidence and I think it’s working, that was an amazing goal,” Mesh said.
Getting a strong run from Mercy might be what Spencerport (14-1-2) needed to be more battle-tested heading into a match-up with the Trojans and Florida State commit Wrianna Hudson.
Mesh said, “I think a test was definitely good, to see what we’re capable of but we’re capable of a lot and I’m excited to see how far we can go, I’m excited.”
Spencerport and Athena play in the semifinals Wednesday at Greece Olympia with top seed Pittsford Mendon facing Churchville-Chili in the other semi.
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