HARPERSFIELD — Playing with just 11 eligible players, Laurens outlasted host Stamford/Jefferson, 3-1, in the opening game of the girls tournament at the Stamford Mayor’s Cup on Monday, Aug. 31.
S/J controlled the tempo of the game early, but Laurens broke through on a counter, with Abby Croston assisting on Ariana LeBeau’s goal to the right post with 14:30 left in the first half.
Laurens goalie Piper Amerson made two diving stops in the first half, knocking balls wide. Both times, S/J was unable to convert the ensuing corner kick.
The Leopards led at halftime, 1-0.
S/J moved striker Grace Russell to midfield in the second half, which helped keep the action in the Leopard end. However, Laurens counter attack remained strong.
Croston made it 2-0 knocking a ball off a defender and into the goal on an awkward bounce.
Victoria Stevens scored the final goal for Laurens with 3:25 left on a long break away.
S/J had a great opportunity on a corner kick by Elizabeth Hendrich, which made an arc right in front of the goal, but no one could collect on the far post.
Then, in the final minutes, Laurens stopped a half dozen attempts from right in front of the goal, with defenders and Amerson making saves.
The ball bounced to the 18, where Emma Hendrickson collected and found the net to make it 3-1 with two minutes left in the game.
S/J outshot Laurens, 13-8, and had a 4-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Amerson made eight saves for Laurens.
Riley Reinhart made four saves for S/J.
Laurens will play in the tournament semifinal at 1:45 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5. The Leopards will play the winner of Tuesday’s game between Gilboa-Conesville/Roxbury and South Kortright/Andes, which will take place at 3:45 p.m.
Charlotte Valley/Schenevus 5, Milford 1
Jordan Odell scored four goals and had an assist as CV/S beat Milford in a girls opening round game of the Mayor’s Cup on Monday.
Odell scored 6:25 into the game, taking a pass from Lexi Keator and beating Milford keeper MacKenzie Briggs to the left corner.
Milford tied the game about nine minutes later, when Zoie Stanley scored on a pass from Bella Garlick.
The Valor answered with another goal from Odell, again on a pass from Keator, this time on a thru-ball into the box with 18:46 left in the half.
Brook Green scored on a pass from Odell with 1:32 left in the half. Odell then found the back of the net with just six seconds left in the half for a 4-1 lead.
Odell scored her final goal on a penalty kick with 29:29 left in the game.
CV/S outshot Milford, 20-8, and had an 8-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Briggs had 18 saves for Milford.
Torryn Finne made seven saves for CV/S.
Charlotte Valley/Schenevus will play in the semifinals at 5:45 Saturday, against either Unatego/Franklin or Margaretville. The Spartan Devils and the Blue Devils will play an opening-round game at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1.