By PAUL GOTHAM
AMHERST, N.Y. — Jaelyn Rodi wasn’t supposed to see action in the 2024 Fall High School sports season.
The leading scorer for Pittsford Mendon a year ago during her ninth-grade season, Rodi tore an ACL last February.
On Saturday afternoon, Rodi’s second goal of the season was all the offense needed as Mendon (17-1-1) defeated Section VI champion Lewiston-Porter (18-3-0), 1-0 in New York State Class A Far West Regional action from Williamsville East High School.
“I wasn’t cleared until the second game of sectionals,” the sophomore forward said. “It’s really nice to be able to contribute to the team.”
The play started on the right side of the field where Brinley Schreib made a run along the flank and served a cross to Rodi running opposite far post.
“We practice that exact thing so often, just yesterday we did it,” she said. “It was a perfect pass.”
Rodi’s original shot was stopped by Lewiston-Porter keeper, Casey Fetzner.
She gathered herself and went opposite post for the score.
53’ NYS Class A Far West Regional: Jaelyn Rodi takes advantage of a second chance and snaps a scoreless tie. @mendonsoccer 1 Lewiston-Porter 0 pic.twitter.com/LCXjPJJVQa
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 9, 2024
“I saw the open net. I didn’t even know if it went in. There was a defender in front of me. Then everybody started jumping around.”
The goal came after Rodi’s penalty kick attempt in the first half was stopped.
“After the penalty, I felt like I needed to score or set up a goal. That would be my payback. I’m happy I got the chance.”
Rodi saw her first action of the season in Mendon’s victory over Our Lady of Mercy in the sectional semifinals. She didn’t waste any time contributing.
“On her second touch, she scored a goal,” said Mendon head coach Eric Pritchard. “It was unbelievable, the most amazing thing I’ve seen. It was a dream comeback.
“She had been practicing with us for six weeks prior to that. Building up her confidence and her touch again. Then she came to me and said ‘I think I’m ready.’ That was it.”
Mendon held off a Lewiston-Porter team that worked for four corner kicks over a five-minute stretch late in the second half. Keeper Kate Crowley had to deal with the sun in her eyes at the north end of the field.
“It was tough,” Pritchard said. “The corner kicks were right in the sun. It was hard to see. I know Kate couldn’t see anything. For them to block everything and do what they did was unbelievable.”
Mendon was making its first regional appearance since 2014 when the Vikings beat Williamsville East, 3-2.
Mendon and Lewiston-Porter met five times from 1984 to 1993 in the state quarterfinals. Mendon won all five of those meetings.
Lewiston-Porter beat Aquinas in the 2023 Class A regional.
The Vikings advance to the state semifinals next Saturday where they will play Shoreham-Wading River ((XI) or Wantagh (VIII). A 9:30 a.m. kickoff is scheduled at Cortland High School.
glad they removed the rule regarding minimum number of games played for this reason, long term injury.