After Marblehead’s boys team escaped in its state tournament game on Monday, playoff soccer remained in the air on Tuesday. In this one, however, the girls met the end of their road.
No. 23 Northampton delivered a stunner, scoring a goal with 27 seconds remaining in double overtime to beat the No. 10 Magicians, 2-1, and advance to the Round of 16 in Division 2.
“I am incredibly proud of our team,” said Marblehead coach Lisa Wales. “There were 30 seconds left in the second overtime. It was, kind of, a fluky bad bounce. We never quit. We have been faced with a lot of adversity all season long and people stepped up. It didn’t go our way and it really hurts right now, but I am really proud of our team.”
A fast pace was on display with both sides exchanging shots early. Lucy Church was all over the field for Marblehead in the first half, creating opportunities for her and her teammates.
The first half was scoreless, but Marblehead broke through in the second half. Sophie Robinson received a pass and took it herself. She went one-on-one with the goalie to put in the go-ahead goal (1-0).
Sydney Ball delivered the assist. Among other Marblehead positives, goalie Hailey Gilmore went home with 14 saves.
Northampton equalized, however, as Willow Claps took one herself down the sideline and knocked one in to even the game, 1-1.
“It was hard work by both teams, but I really give a lot to my girls for staying consistent and playing the full 80 minutes,” said Northampton coach Vanessa Butynski. “We just kept at it, kept our gameplan… beautiful finishing, really exciting finish.”
Next thing you knew, it was time for sudden-death overtime.
Both sides had chances to escape the first overtime period – with Marblehead controlling the pace – but things remained 1-1.
And in the final seconds of double overtime, it was once again Claps who advanced Northampton to the next round.
It was a happy ride home.
“We built from the back. We had a beautiful ball in through our center back and got to our outside mid,” Butynski said. “And we got a ball across the back of the net. It was just beautiful soccer.”
The Magicians finished with an impressive record of 9-5-5. Wales said she was very proud of her girls.
“We faced a ton of adversity,” she said. “People, sometimes, underestimated us and I am going to miss them all. They are a great group of girls.”
