By PAUL GOTHAM
CALEDONIA, N.Y. — Jersie Drake connected on a pair of first-half goals, and top-seeded Kendall (17-1-0) continued its stingy defense with a 3-nil victory over No. 4 Keshequa (16-3-0) in Section V Class C2 semifinal action from Caledonia-Mumford High School, Tuesday night.
With the win, the Eagles advance to a second straight sectional championship game appearance.
“It’s an exciting rush of emotions,” said Kendall head coach Angel Rosario. “Whoever’s next, we’re looking forward to it.”
Drake, an eighth-grader, scored her 9th and 10th goals of the season.
“She did the job,” Rosario said. “Once you go to that second half with a 2-O, it’s a dangerous lead. These girls, they love that. They love the risk. They put another one in, and they ended.”
The shutout was the ninth straight for the Eagles who have not allowed multiple goals in a game since August 29th.
“I’ve been coaching these girls since they were 12-years old, and I coach them all year round, Rosario said crediting senior keeper Brooke Rodas along with her backline of Allison Kludt, Keara Reed, Brynn Hardenbrook and Stella Kwiatek. “Practices are top notch. It gets us ready. When it comes to the defense, it’s the chemistry. Making those team bonds. That’s what really builds us.”
Drake set up the third and final goal of the night when she played a cross from the left flank that teammate Ryleigh Denning headed in from the far post for her 28th goal of the season.
“I told them ‘We need one more goal.’ They were going after their net for a bit. Their keeper had a couple big saves, but that one landed in.”
Kendall will be going for its 12th sectional title in program history and first since 2018.
The Eagles will face either No. 2 Byron-Bergen or No. 3 Bloomfield.
Byron-Bergen, the reigning NYS Class C championship, has won four straight sectional titles.
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