By PAUL GOTHAM
CORTLAND, N.Y. — Mia Gray needed 32 seconds of extra-time to deliver the game winner.
The junior midfielder connected on her 40th goal of the season, and Byron-Bergen took the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class C championship with a 1-nil victory over Stillwater (II), Sunday afternoon on Grady Field on the campus of SUNY Cortland.
Gray ran on to a through ball from teammate Libby Starowitz and went far post to clinch the championship.
“I saw one of the girls (a Stillwater defender) coming super-quick from my left, so I took another touch to go left. I knew I could get it across, and those are hard for goalies to get. You could go near post, so I went far post and got it in.”
Eight days earlier, Gray’s goal in extra time lifted the Bees (22-1-1) to a 2-1 win over Frewsburg (VI) in the Far West Regional Championship. Sunday’s golden goal secured the first state title in Byron-Bergen girls’ soccer program history.
“She just worked herself really hard into a great spot,” said Byron-Bergen head coach Wayne Hill. “Then, again who am I going to trust with the ball at her feet in New York State. I’m going to trust her.
“I know she got frustrated at the end of the game. She had a breakaway, thought she had one. Oh well, we got the next one. They never quit. They got tired, but never quit.”
The goal came less than one minute of game time after Gray was denied on her best scoring opportunity of the afternoon.
When the Warriors’ keeper came off her line to punch out a Grace DiQuattro corner kick, Gray won the ball in the air between a pair of Stillwater defenders.
She sent a header in the direction of the net where Sadie Hazel made a clearing off the line. Seconds later the horn sounded to end regulation.
“I feel like that made us hype,” Gray said. “We knew that that was super-close. When those start to come, more keep coming. We had a break which gave us more energy. Then when we went out there, we just got it done.”
That Gray was sandwiched between a pair of defenders on the play came as no surprise. The University of Florida commit has had added attention throughout the season.
That’s what makes the game winner somewhat unbelievable. The Stillwater (19-2-1) defensive scheme that had accounted for Gray for 80 minutes broke down momentarily.
“They man-marked me so well, but that one time they didn’t know where I was. My teammates know. They always know where I am. Libby just gave me that through-ball, and I knew I had to finish.”
And there was Gray to take advantage.
“The way that they came out and took care of business within 30 seconds was unreal,” Hill said.”Unreal.”
NYS Class C GSOC: @BB_GirlsSoccer came this close to a state championship. pic.twitter.com/rcXc41rIRk
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 17, 2024
STATE CHAMPS! Mia Gray does it again. Second golden goal in three games gives @BB_GirlsSoccer the Class C crown. @secvgirlssoccer @SecVAthletics pic.twitter.com/YQCs5A8mXB
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 17, 2024
Natalie Prinzi made five saves for her second shutout of the weekend and 16th of the season.
“I just know I have a really strong defense and midfield in front of me,” the senior keeper said. “I know that they all have my back. That gives me the confidence to play in these games.”
The Bees made light work of Burke Catholic (IX) in Saturday’s semifinal. Gray accounted for two goals while DiQuattro added a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win. Starowitz and Riley Shallenberger also found the back of the net. Hi
In 2021 and ‘22, the Bees were eliminated in the state semifinals. Last season ended with a loss to Holley in the regional qualifier.
Sunday was the program’s first appearance in the state final.
The win left several of the Byron-Bergen players moved to tears during the postgame trophy ceremony.
“It was a release of emotions,” Hill said. “They were on pins and needles. I think yesterday was a better day for us. We got up, and we played at 9:30 a.m. Today, you’re sitting around the hotel. What do you do? This tumultuous environment keeps eating at you a little bit. You get here and how do you react? We’ve never been here before.
“The kids just held it together. They were gassed. Both teams were gassed. What do you do? The last poll that I read, we were three and they were two in the state. That’s the way the game should have been: zero-zero.”
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