By Paul Cifonelli / Editor-in-Chief
CHURCHVILLE, N.Y. — Churchville-Chili (6-4-1) girls’ soccer coach Mimi Rague knew adjustments needed to be made in the first half. Her team was already down 1-0 and weren’t getting as much possession as Brockport (5-7-0). Rague made a change, the Saints started taking and controlling the ball and ended up winning 2-1 to advance to the Section V Class A quarterfinals.
“We made a little bit of an adjustment up top and pushed people up,” Rague said. “Instead of having two we put three up there because we do have some powerful kids that can score the goals. So we decided to take advantage of that. That seemed to work out, it brought some energy to the group and they were all in.”
@CCCSDgsoccer has come out of the break and gotten one of its best chances so far. This came shortly after a cross rolled right in front of the goal. 24 minutes in. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/OSxLXCOFMs
— Paul Cifonelli (@PCifonelli) November 11, 2020
Despite not immediately seeing a goal go in, Churchville-Chili, the #6 seed, did get the equalizer shortly after halftime. Amelia Breton hammered home a shot from just outside the six-yard box in the 52nd minute for the Saints. Breton’s tally was assisted by Alaina Reina.
Breton also scored the game-winner in the 76th minute, a penalty kick after a foul was called on Brockport goalkeeper Emma Sodoma. She calmly netted the shot to give Churchville-Chili a lead after dominating most of the second half. The goal gave Breton a team-leading 11 for the season.
@CCCSDgsoccer was awarded a PK with 4:20 left and Amelia Breton converted on it. The Saints lead 2-1. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/sJzbRkzPf2
— Paul Cifonelli (@PCifonelli) November 12, 2020
The Saints kept up their ball-control, with the Blue Devils unable to make a lengthy effort to retie the game in the final minutes.
Churchville-Chili used a lot of passing from the middle of field to the outside to create its best chances, while Brockport got its best looks by keeping the ball wide and sending it toward the middle.
Brockport got early momentum after a goal in the third minute from Maija Young. Her goal was off a cross from Ella Fadale, whose speed allowed her to play multiple balls across the field in the first 20 minutes.
Fadale to Young almost worked again. @BportGSoccer has had scoring chances, but @CCCSDgsoccer has put pressure on also. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/dmhfCI7Hqt
— Paul Cifonelli (@PCifonelli) November 11, 2020
Sodoma also kept the game close for the Blue Devils. She and Churchville-Chili goalkeeper Skylar Williams went toe-to-toe, making nearly every save when their backs were pressed up against the wall. Williams managed to finish the game with eight saves.
Emma Sodoma makes the save just a couple minutes before halftime to keep the shutout alive. @BportGSoccer has a 1-0 lead over @CCCSDgsoccer at the break. @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/5ygBgqAzNW
— Paul Cifonelli (@PCifonelli) November 11, 2020
With the win, the Saints move on to face #3 Honeoye Falls-Lima on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Cougars are undefeated this season, but the Rague feels the momentum from this win could help her team advance to the semifinals.
“We’ve got a good group and they’ve got great energy,” Rague said. “I think they can be successful if they carry it on. We’re ready to go and hopefully the energy can stay the same.”
