By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Sophie Esders made sure the unlikely didn’t happen.
The Webster Thomas sophomore connected in the 100th minute as the host Titans outlasted Mercy, 4-3 in non-league action, Tuesday evening.
Esders ran down a lead from teammate Catherine Rogers and when the ball came free along the right flank she connected on her second goal of the evening and team-leading 12th of the season.
“I knew it was a little too far, and I just kept going to pressure the goalie, and it worked,” she said. “I used the rest of my energy and got the shot off.”
100’ Sophie Esders side netting. @gtvs1 4-3 pic.twitter.com/khUhpUCQKh
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 26, 2023
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Nearly 40 minutes of game time earlier, Esders was denied twice on back-to-back plays.
Leading 3-0, she intercepted a pass at midfield and broke in alone on Mercy keeper Bella Mitrano. Her shot found iron and caromed into the middle of the 18-yard box. Mercy defender Elizabeth DeHond alertly covered the goal and cleared a second attempt from Esders off the line.
“It motivated so much,” Esders said. “I had gotten so close all night, and I just had to finish it.
“It was frustrating because it was just there. I just kept going and pushed through it.”
The score stayed 3-nil in favor of Thomas until the 74th minute and that’s when the game nearly turned upside-down. Mercy’s Zosi Ciardi converted a free kick from 20 yards out. After another Mercy goal, DeHond delivered the equalizer with :30 remaining in regulation.
74’ Zosi Ciardi converts from 20 yards out to get Mercy on the scoreboard. pic.twitter.com/GF8uRibmgs
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 26, 2023
80’ WOWZERS! Trailing 3-nil with less than seven minutes remaining, Mercy rallies to force overtime. Elizabeth DeHond, who earlier in the half cleared a shot off the line, nets the equalizer. pic.twitter.com/4MKHUMuwfx
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 26, 2023
“I thought that we were going to have the game, but things happen,” Esders said. “I’m just glad we stuck with it until the end.”
Esders opened the scoring less than a minute before halftime when she headed in a corner kick from Rogers.
Fourth corner kick of the first half pays dividends. Catherine Rogers serves a ball into the 6, and Sophie Esders finishes from there. @gtvs1 1 Mercy nil @secvgirlssoccer pic.twitter.com/dVVxGvACHN
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 26, 2023
50’ Catherine Rogers intercepts a clearing attempt, rushes 20 yards and finishes far side netting. @gtvs1 2-nil :43 later Rogers sets up Maggie Auinger for another strike. pic.twitter.com/pG5jUXF3vl
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 26, 2023
Rogers doubled the advantage 10 minutes into the second half and set up Maggie Auinge less than :40 later for the 3-nil advantage.
Rogers has nine goals and seven assists on the season.
Thomas (6-2-0) had dropped two of three entering play including a 4-0 setback to Spencerport in its most recent outing.
“It was important to know we could bounce back from that loss,” Esders said. “They’re a really good team. We didn’t play very well that night either. It’s good to know as a team we can do what we did tonight.”
Mercy (3-4-2) lost to Athena, 2-0 last time out. The Monarchs were unbeaten in five straight prior to the Athena loss.
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