Dickson’s late goal sends Haverling girls to state final

By PAUL GOTHAM

CORTLAND, N.Y. — Lydia Dickson didn’t expect to be playing soccer on the second weekend in November with her teammates from Haverling High School.

The junior midfielder took advantage of the opportunity and helped clinch the program’s first trip to a state final.

Dickson scored her sixth goal of the season in the 75th minute as Haverling stayed unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Westhill (III) in the NYSPHSAA Class B Girls’ semifinal from Cortland High School, Saturday evening.

A week ago, Haverling won its regional title in program history. On Sunday, they will get a chance to claim a state championship.

“I did not think we would be here,” Dickson said. “I’m so grateful we are. It’s just all crazy. I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

The play started on the right side of the field where Ella Yartym served a ball across the top of the 18-yard box that eluded a pair of defenders to make its way to Dickson on the opposite far post.

“I saw the ball coming across. It was on the ground. It’s like all season we’ve been practicing following up balls across. I always try to be on the outside of the goal. I saw it get through a defender. I tried to keep it down. I was really scared of just chipping it over the goal. When I saw it go in, I freaked out.”

75’ Lydia Dickson on the finishing end of an Ella Yartym cross. Haverling 1-nil pic.twitter.com/HqL3DJIb9S

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 13, 2022

The goal was Dickson’s second of the postseason with her first coming in a sectional semifinal win over Le Roy.

“She was in the right place at the right time,” Haverling head coach Braedyn Northrup said. “Finished it in the back of the net. I’m so happy for her. She deserves it.”

Westhill frustrated Yartym Haverling’s leading scorer (39 goals and 33 assists) and top playmaker Keegan Smith (27 goals and 17 assists).

“They defended her well,” Northrup said of Westhill’s defensive effort on Yartym. “They played a deep sweeper. They manned her up. That’s really the first team that tied her up this season.

“When you have players like Ella and Keegan that you have to zone in on the scouting report for those players, it gives the opportunities for the Lydia Dicksons of the world to come through and shine. They put the work in all season too.”

Haverling (22-0-0) will face Irvington (I) in Sunday’s championship game. A 3 p.m. start time is scheduled at Cortland High School.

Haverling is the last Section V Girls’ soccer remaining as Spencerport, Byron-Bergen and Keshequa each were eliminated from postseason contention earlier in the day.