By Fred Kroner
Mahomet-Seymour’s undefeated girls’ soccer team received a tie-breaking goal from Cayla Koerner in the final minute on Monday (April 18) and edged Rochester at Middletown Field, 3-2.
“The Bulldogs once again avoided the comfort of an Epicurean game, rather playing their third match within a week that would close beaches,” M-S coach Jeremy Davis said. “The two excellent teams had to adapt to the unfavorable conditions and played probably the most exciting game of the last few seasons.”
M-S fell behind early, but had shot into a 2-1 lead at halftime.
“Rochester opened the game with a goal, but Mahomet stormed back in under a minute to equalize,” Davis said. “Both teams looked to counter-attack aggressively.
“Lauren Schnepper had a great night for the Bulldogs, getting a goal and an assist to have the Bulldogs enter half up 2-1.”
Senior Grace Larson was stout in goal.
“With Grace Larson having her best game of the year in the goal, the Bulldogs kept the lead until a little under 10 minutes to go,” Davis said. “Rochester was able to draw a penalty and tie up the game.
“The Rockets had several dangerous chances in the final 10 until a final corner kick that they took with under a minute to go. Brea Benson was able to gather up the ball for the Bulldogs and saw that Cayla Koerner had to create the other way.
“Brea played the ball and with under 30 seconds Koerner drove past the final defender and got the Rochester keeper to come out and commit. Cayla took a final side touch and sent the ball into the back of the net to give the Bulldogs the win.”
The goal was the second of the game for Koerner.
On Tuesday (April19), five Bulldogs scored their first varsity goals of the season as the team won at Taylorville, 7-0.
Hitting the back of the net for the first time were Grace Binkley, Ellie Dallas, Lindsay Gowler, Brenna Graddy and Shae Standifer.
The team’s other two goals came from Sidney Young.
Binkley generated two assists. Contributing one assist each were Bailey Roberts and Standifer.
M-S is 10-0 overall and 5-0 in Apollo Conference matches. The Bulldogs have outscored their conference foes by a collective 40-2 margin.
Six of the team’s 10 wins have been by shutouts.
M-S returns to action on Thursday (April 21) at Mount Zion.
