By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Leah Marcell scored the game winner in the second overtime period, and No. 2 Webster Schroeder defeated No. 7 Greece Athena, 2-1 in Section V Class AA Girls’ Soccer action on Saturday.
With the win, the Warriors (16-2-0) advance to face crosstown rival Webster Thomas in the semifinals.
“We’ve been working for this for months,” Marcell said. “It feels good to have it pay off.”
The play started at midfield where teammate Madelyn Peterson stepped in front of a clearing attempt, controlled possession and served a ball forward into the middle third.
“We preach being cool, calm and collected on the field,” the Rider University commit said. “I knew the moment was big, but I’m a senior on the team. Coach always says ‘seize the moment.’ I knew that was my moment. I had to seize it.”
Marcell ran on to the pass along the right side and took a pair of touches to get inside the 18-yard box before going far post for her eighth goal of the season.
“It was crazy,” Marcell said of the goal. “I saw the ball go through and hit the back of the net. It was a sigh of relief. All the work we put in all season. We pulled it off. I knew that was the time.”
Leah Marcell! Gold! Schroeder advances with a 2-1 victory in double overtime. pic.twitter.com/hbDJ0Ennq9
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 22, 2023
Marcell credited coach Kent Brown with preparing the Warriors for Saturday’s win.
“He pushes us every single day, each one of us. He wants the best player, the best person we can be on and off the field. He’s just an amazing coach. He puts the work in for us, and we put the work on the field.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JEROME DAVIS.
Kylie Clement started the scoring for Schroeder with an assist from Morgan Tara.
Ellie Ockrin made seven saves for the win.
Wrianna Hudson scored the lone Greece Athena (10-6-0) goal, her 10th of the season. A First Team All-State performer a year ago when she finished with 32 goals, eight assists and 72 points, Hudson was sidelined for the first half of 2023 with an injury. The Florida State commit returned in late September and helped the Trojans win six straight games heading into Saturday’s match. Last month, Hudson made headlines when her goal against Canandaigua was named the No. 1 highlight on ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 Plays of the Day.
The Class AA semifinal between Warriors and Titans is scheduled for a 7 PM start time Wednesday at Brockport High.
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