By PAUL GOTHAM
MACEDON, N.Y. — Mary D’Abbracci connected on a golden goal with 4:11 to go in the second overtime, and Penn Yan (14-2-0) defeated Wayne (12-2-1), 2-1 in the finals of the Finger Lakes East Girls’ Soccer championship, Thursday night at Palmyra-Macedon high school.
The title was the first in program history.
“It feels fantastic,” said 12th-year head coach, Kyle Nelson. “The kids have worked their tails off all season. They wanted this one really bad.”
The championship-clinching play started with Cadence Brady’s corner kick from the right flag. Wayne cleared the original attempt. Brady regained possession and played another service into the 18-yard box.
Grace Lewis had a shot that was turned away by Wayne keeper, Summer Bathrick. D’Abbracci was there for the rebound.
“Grace really set it up,” said D’Abbracci. “She hit it and it bounced off the goalie, so then I just touched it, and it went in.”
The goal was the second of the game for the senior forward.
“I am really excited right now,” she said. “I love this team. I’m so happy.”
106’ Mary D’Abbracci converts on a corner for her second goal of the night to lift @PYAthletics to a program-first Finger Lakes East title. Congrats to HC Kyle Nelson who won his 100th career game. @secvgirlssoccer pic.twitter.com/8908ifIV5Y
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 17, 2025
D’Abbracci’s first goal gave Penn Yan an early lead.
Wayne rallied. Amaya Glessing leveled the match to give the Eagles momentum heading into halftime.
“Hats off to Wayne,” Nelson said. “They’re an outstanding team. We knew we would get their best shot.”
Wayne defeated Penn Yan, 2-1 when the two teams met during the regular season, and it looked like the Eagles had the upper hand coming out of halftime.
“So proud of the kids,” Nelson said. “This team always bounces back. They just have that ‘it’ factor, the chemistry. They have great leadership. We got caught off-guard. They scored one late (in the first half). They didn’t give up. They kept battling.”
Penn Yan, a program that has yet to win a sectional title in its history, closed the regular season winning back-to-back games and nine in the last 10. The Mustangs claimed the top seed in Class B2.
“That chemistry, you just can’t teach it,” Nelson said. “It’s special this year. It showed for us tonight. We said in the huddle, we need to score by any means necessary. We found a way.”
Nelson recorded career win No. 100 with Thursday’s victory.
*Article has been updated.
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