BEEKMANTOWN — The final 1-0 score in Saturday’s Section VII Class D girls’ soccer championship game between Chazy and Boquet Valley didn’t come as a big surprise.
The biggest question was what team would score the goal.
In the end, Brooke Stephens’ goal at 6:39 of overtime gave the top-seeded Eagles their third-consecutive sectional title.
The two teams split their Northern Soccer League Division II regular season meetings and were pretty even going into the game.
“It’s what I expected,” Chazy coach John Tregan said. “Neither team was able to create a lot of chances all year. A 1-0 game was very possible, and a shootout was also a possibility. They’re pretty similar to us.
“I talked with the team during the week about taking advantage of a re-start or a corner kick where we kept the ball away from the goalie.”
The Eagles (11-6-2) now play the Section X winner, Colton-Pierrepont or Harrisville, in the Class D NYSPHSAA quarterfinals on Saturday at SUNY Plattsburgh.
Chazy scored the game-winning goal when Marin Juneau sent a cross in from the right side to Stephens, who got to the ball just before Boquet Valley goalie Ella Pulsifer could.
“It meant a lot to me to score the game-winning goal, but it also meant a lot to me where the ball came from,” Stephens, a senior said. “Marin worked hard all game long and it was a perfect cross.”
There were few scoring opportunities to score for both teams in regulation as the defense were up to the task.
Chazy did apply some pressure late in the second half, only to be turned back by a couple of good saves by Pulsifer.
“I thought shots by Pender (Bechard) and Avery (Parker) were going to go in, but their goalie made a couple of nice saves,” Tregan said.
“We had some chances towards the end of the second half. It, however, only takes a break for it to go the other way in overtime.”
“Boquet Valley really packs it in, and we had a hard time breaking down their defense,” Stephens said.
The Eagles also had to contend with the second-seeded Griffins’ standout scoring threat Claire Reynolds.
“We had Gwyn (Compeau) follow Claire,” Tregan said. “We would lose Gwyn offensively, but if you give Claire time and space, you’re in trouble. She can drive by four people and score. She’s dangerous with the ball at her feet or in her hands with long throw-ins inside the six.”
Calleigh Clark recorded the shutout with four saves and Pulsifer stopped five shots for the Griffins.
“I didn’t know how good we would be this season starting a combined six sophomores and freshmen,” Tregan said.
“But I have to give our girls a lot of credit. It’s a group that when you tell the team what they have to do, they say okay let’s do it. It’s a great group.”
The sectional title was rewarding for seniors like Stephens.
“I got called up for sectionals my freshman year and we’ve won three sectionals during that time,” she said. “I didn’t realize what it would be like coming into my senior year. But I would end up feeling a lot of pride being a senior and wanted to work harder because it was my last year.
“This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us after what we were able to do last year and losing those seniors. Our team pulled together and made it happen. The younger players were willing to learn.”
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Chazy 1, Boquet Valley 0, OT
BVCS 0 0 0 — 0
CCRS 0 0 1 — 1
First overtime- 1, CCRS, Stephens (M. Juneau), 6:39.
Shots on goal- Chazy, 6-4.
Saves- Pulsifer, BVCS, 5. Clark, CCRS, 4.