BEEKMANTOWN — Undefeated season. Class C Champions. Birthday celebration.
That’s what Saturday became for Moriah, as the girls soccer team claimed the Section VII girls soccer Class C title, defeating rival Ticonderoga, 1-0, Saturday.
While her team gave her the best birthday gift of all in the sectional title, head coach Christina Slattery wanted to give all the credit to her team.
“They’re just really good girls to each other,” Slattery said. “You know, you don’t have that kind of animosity.
“When someone does something good, they’re just one team. They play so well together, they want better for each other. and I think that that speaks for itself.”
While the score was only 1-0, both teams had ample opportunities to take the lead. Misses were just wide or the keepers were in the right place at the right time.
“My hat’s off to Ti for getting into this game, I’m proud of them,” Slattery said. “And my girls, you know, they play every game as this is what it is. They weren’t necessarily thinking, ‘Okay, the third time is the hard time.’
“That is generally the rule. But they weren’t looking at it like that. It was like, Okay, we’re coming in clean slate. Like, we got this.”
Alexis Mascarenas was credited with the winning goal as she took a cross from Emma Harrington just over a minute into the extra session.
She said that’s what the team pushes for and practices for every week.
“Going into this game, we knew we needed a cross and that’s what we all wanted,” Mascarenas said. “All week, all practice, we were working on that cross, and that’s what we got today.
“And that’s all I can think about is my team, these girls. It’s exciting to get it done.”
With the win, the Vikings continue their undefeated campaign, standing at 17-0.
Saturday, they weren’t ready to look at regionals. They were just enjoying the moment.
“You know, we’ve been here before, and it’s just amazing to do all my senior year and with this group of girls,” Amelia Kazlo said. “I mean, we’re so talented, we’ve had an amazing season, and it’s just great to finish this game on top.”
It was redemption of sorts for the Vikings as last year they fell to Northern Adirondack in the Class C game. With the Bobcats falling in the semifinals to the Sentinels, a new champion would be crowned.
After scoring the game winner, Mascarenas was just thrilled for the seniors on the team.
“It’s amazing, especially knowing how we felt last year,” she said. “We know, especially the seniors, no one wanted to feel that way again, and seniors did not want that to be their last game.”
“It feels amazing to hit that point. We needed this. All of them wanted this, and it’s a great experience for these girls.”
As she has done all season, Emma Harrington showed her grit and toughness battling down the right sideline early in the second half. It was her effort that got the ball into the box to come to a diving Mascarenas to win the game.
“Harrington generally is on the outside,” Slattery said. “And she’s such a playmaker and selfless, like, she will run and get taken out 99% of the time, and she will get up and just make a play for someone.
“That’s what she does. She just wants better for everyone. and she’ll just keep fighting,”
As the Vikings stormed the field, Slattery just stood in amazement and watched as her team celebrated the championship.
“These young ladies have worked so hard all season, and I’m so proud of them,” she said. “They come to every game ready to go. Sometimes it takes them a little bit to get going, but you know, they’re here to win and to show who they really are.”
Looking ahead, Moriah travels to Potsdam, Wednesday. It’s where they’ll face Lisbon at 5 p.m.
Kazlo and Mascarenas said the team needs to carry their momentum into the next round.
“I think we needed to get past sections,” Kazlo said. “Now we have that grind and that, that desire to win. I think we’re going to be great.”
Mascarenas agreed.
“We need to take the intensity from today, we need to keep going,” she said. “We can’t give up. and that’s all we need for these girls.”
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Moriah 1, Ticonderoga 0, 2OT
MCS 0 0 0 1 – 1
TCS 0 0 0 0 – 0
Second Overtime – 1. MCS, Mascarenas (Harrington) 1:03.
Shots- 10-4
Saves- Eichen, MCS, 4. Bechard, TCS, 10