By PAUL GOTHAM
RIGA, N.Y. — Few girls’ soccer programs in Section V history have done as much winning as the Spencerport Rangers over the past nine seasons. The program that holds the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) mark with a 64-game unbeaten streak (2016-18) has currently won a Section V record eight straight sectional titles. The Rangers have claimed three state championships including the Class AA title a year ago when they finished unbeaten and untied for the first time in program history.
In a strange way, all that winning can make the losses stand out just a little more. Must be the rarity of such occurrences.
So when Spencerport dispatched of host Churchville-Chili, 3-0 on Monday night, junior forward Emily Peacock understood the significance.
“We only beat them 1-0 last year, and we lost to them my freshman year, so it feels nice to beat them finally by more than one.”
That loss happened more than two years ago, September 8th, 2022. And yet, Peacock had the moment on instant recall.
Just another sign of a championship program that celebrates its wins, but doesn’t forget a loss.
Peacock was one of three scorers Monday night as Spencerport improved to 5-0-1 on the season.
The 5-foot-10 forward started the offensive output in the 26th minute when she ran on to teammate Lindsay Lenhard’s pass.
“Lindsay split two defenders. I knew I had to get a touch around and then seal the defender.”
The goal was Peacock’s team-leading 11th of the season.
26’ Lindsay Lenhard finds a seam between a pair of defenders and leads Emily Peacock into the open for a 1-nil @Rangers_GSOC advantage. pic.twitter.com/sVikfZdZ7y
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 16, 2024
37’ Katie Schultz waits far post and finishes a Ryan Smith cross for a 2-nil @Rangers_GSOC lead @secvgirlssoccer pic.twitter.com/YGY6ErnxC7
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 16, 2024
“Both of the defenders closed down on me, and I kinda toe-poked it. I hoped that it would go in, and it did.”
Katie Schultz redirected a Ryan Smith cross for a 2-nil advantage at halftime. The Rangers didn’t let the lead slip away.
Liana Tata converted on a corner kick from Lenhard for the final margin of victory.
“It was good to get that one,” said Spencerport head coach Jamie Schnieder. “Churchville is always a good rivalry and at their place is always tough.”
Sophomore keeper Addi Lynch made three saves for her third shutout of the season.
Spencerport graduated five starters from last year’s state championship including three-year first-teamers Cate Burns (keeper) and Kendall Mesh (center back) as well as Jamie Keens, Isabella Fiorillo and Aleena Solano.
But as it has been the case during this successful run, the more Spencerport graduates, the more the tradition continues.
“Liana Tata stepped into center-back,” Peacock said. “She holds our team together in the back. Losing Isabella Fiorillo and Jamie Keens was hard for us. Kiara Mascia has stepped up. We knew we were losing players, but we all knew we had good players coming up. They have all stepped in.”
Churchville keeper Tessa Wood made eight saves including a pair of point blank attempts inside the 18-yard box.
Big save from Tessa Woods keeping @CCCSDgsoccer within reach. pic.twitter.com/9UszHBGEw2
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 17, 2024
“She plays under pressure all the time,” said Churchville head coach Brooke Elnicky. “I think it showed here tonight. She’s a vocal leader. Her teammates have a lot of confidence in her.”
The Saints fell to 2-1-0 with the loss.
“Obviously, the result is disappointing,” Elnicky said. “There’s a lot to build on from there. We were able to create tonight. There are definitely some positives that can help build our confidence.”
Spencerport has won 34 straight games against Section V teams dating back to that loss to Churchville in the 2022 season. The Ranngers are unbeaten in 37 against local sides.
Spencerport hosts Gates Chili for a 7 p.m. start on Friday.
Churchville travels to play at Gates Chili on Wednesday, also a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Leave a Reply