SAUQUOIT TOPS CLINTON 1-0 IN KEY CSC II GIRLS SOCCER GAME
Jeff Pexton-MHTS
The members of the Sauquoit Valley Lady Indians Girls Soccer team have targets on their backs. As well they should, virtually every other small school girls soccer program in Central New York knows that if you’re going to be good, if you’re going to play long into the post season, you’re going to have to beat Sauquoit.
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The Lady Indians have certainly set the benchmark, earning two consecutive Section III, Class “C” Championships, two consecutive New York State Regional Titles and two consecutive appearances in the New York State final match.
So, if you can’t join em’, beat em’, right? Much easier said than done.
That's a Save! Clinton's Cassidy Dennison makes a rather unorthodox save, but Sauquoit's Elisa Marchione can't bear to watch.
Today the Lady Warriors, the newest members of the Center State Conference II, played host to the Lady Indians in a critical early season match, with division prowess at stake.
Sauquoit got out of the gate in per usual fashion with a big 2-0 win over rival Mt. Markham last week, behind two goals from Elisa Marchione and a shutout from 2010 All-State goalkeeper Vanessa Jecko.
Clinton entered today’s match at (1-1), after dropping their opener to Class “AA” Rome Free Academy 3-2 and then rebounding with a 12-1 win over division foe Canastota.
While Clinton’s defense did an outstanding job containing Sauquoit offensive standouts Marchione and teammate Alyson Gaffney all afternoon, it was Lady Indians goalkeeper Vanessa Jecko that stole the show and earned her second shutout of the season, as Sauquoit Valley defeated Clinton by a score of 1-0.
Sauquoit's Vanessa Jecko leaps high for a big second half save in front of Clinton's Haley Allen (2).
Vanessa Jecko, who begins her fourth season as the Sauquoit Valley starting keeper, showed her veteran leadership all afternoon, making multiple saves from point blank range.
Sauquoit Valley’s Jenna Mazza broke a scoreless tie with 33:51 remaining in the first half, when her shot skipped off the gloves of Clinton keeper Cassidy Dennison and into the goal to give Sauquoit the early lead, and ultimately the victory.
Other than this miscue, Dennison played a rock solid game and made several key saves to keep her team within striking distance.
At the other end of the field it was all Vanessa Jecko. The senior keeper was as much a field general as she was a player, shouting directions and motivating her team throughout the game.
Jecko finished with 23 saves on the day while Dennison stopped 9 of 10 shots.
Sauquoit Valley's Jenna Mazza (28) settles the ball while Clinton's Hannah Shankman (8) hopes for a good bounce.
Clinton, which opted for a high pressure offensive scheme that placed extra attackers way up front during the entire game, had its best chance to tie the match just 2:13 into the second half.
Lindsey Olsen found herself one on one with Jecko in front of the Sauquoit goal, but Jecko got a toe on Olsen’s shot and deflected it wide, keeping Clinton off the scoreboard.
With the win, Sauquoit Valley improved to (2-0) in the CSC-II and into first place all alone.
Clinton meanwhile drops to (2-1) and (1-1) in the CSC-II. Despite the loss, Clinton proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they can play with the best of the CSC, which is Sauquoit Valley, until somebody proves otherwise!
The road to success gets no easier for Clinton as they travel to Hamilton on Thursday for yet another division game.
Sauquoit Valley will look to maintain its unblemished record when they travel to Sherburne-Earlville.
Sauquoit Valley 1 Clinton 0
Box Score
1 2 Total
Sauquoit Valley 1 0 1
Clinton 0 0 0
