By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kayla Mattice delivered the game winner in the 95th minute as Greece Olympia defeated host Gates Chili, 2-1 in Section V Girls’ Soccer action, Wednesday.
Mattice converted a Sarah Tawaf corner kick at the near post.
“Sarah played a beautiful corner,” the senior forward said. “It was just fighting to get that in. It was a team effort. It felt good.”
Tawaf played the service from the left flag and Mattice won a battle inside the six-yard box. That she was forward on the play was a product of the situation.
“On corners, I’m supposed to drop back to sweeper,” Mattice said. “But with how much time was left in the game it was all men in the box.”
The win was a career first for Olympia gaffer, Eric Luisi.
“I’m proud of our girls and so happy for them that we could pull off the win,” said the former varsity assistant. “They worked really hard. They really did. It was great to see.”
95’ Sarah Tawaf’s near post corner finds Kayla Mattice for the game winner. @GOLYGirlsSoccer 2-1. pic.twitter.com/aOQVshF2VR
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 5, 2024
Jenna Christensen gave Olympia (1-0-0) the lead with an unassisted effort late in the first half.
With momentum heading into the break, Luisi moved center back Hannah Roxstrom into the midfield to start the second half. Olympia responded with consistent pressure.
“She told me she had a lot of juice left,” Luisi said. “I said ‘all right, let’s use it.’ I put her at center and let her run wild.”
Gates keeper Cassaundra Carpenter made four saves in the opening 10 minutes of the second half to keep the game close.
“Amazing saves,” Luisi said of the opposing keeper. “I loved our shots. I loved our opportunities, but she just made such good saves.”
It looked like Olympia had its winner when Kyleigh Bathe led Mattice into the open late in the match. Carpenter came off her line to take away the angle and deny the shot.
Cassaundra Carpenter again makes the save. pic.twitter.com/7imNkApypP
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 4, 2024
“Cassie’s amazing,” said Gates head coach Marcy Wing. “Unfortunately, she only remembers the ones she doesn’t stop. She’s a great keeper, and we’re lucky to have her. She had the school record for saves last year as a sophomore. She’s huge for us.”
Macy Mayer netted the equalizer for Gates (0-1-0) 14 minutes into the second half when the junior converted a penalty kick. Gates had a pair of chances to pull ahead. Left wing Alan Reid hit the post from 15 yards out.
“At halftime, we reminded them to play our game and possess the ball,” Wing said. We kew if we could do that, we could get back into the game because we weren’t playing our brand of soccer in the first half.
Right back Chazerae Hunter made a rush and used combinations with Nyasia McGinnis and Mayer to get behind the Olympia backline for another opportunity.
“We’re really kinda hounding our outside backs because we have a lot of speed out there. We want them to take the run if it comes to them. If you see field, go ahead and make a run.”
Buildup from @GCGirlsVSoccer earns a corner. Chazerae Hunter (2) has been making intelligent rushes from the backline consistently throughout second half of match. pic.twitter.com/a6fvRcYv82
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 4, 2024
54’ Macy Mayer draws the infraction and converts the PK to level it at 1. @GCGirlsVSoccer pic.twitter.com/q7M83SnrAh
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 4, 2024
Olympia travels to play a 1 p.m. match at Pittsford Sutherland on Saturday. Gates hosts Canandaigua for a 5 p.m. start on Friday.
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