Spencerport lost multiple key players and returned just three starters from their 2018 team that advanced to the New York State girls soccer semi-finals after largely the same unit also won consecutive state championships in 2016 and 2017, so expectations from many were lower entering the 2019 campaign.
But the Rangers proved people wrong by earning the top seed in Class A with a 12-3-2 regular season record and won their fourth straight Class A Section V title with wins over Wayne Central, Brockport, and Pittsford Mendon while allowing only one goal over the three games.
Grand Island was their next victim after a 2-1 win in the New York State Western Regional as the Rangers advanced to their fourth consecutive state semi-final at SUNY Cortland.
There they defeated Pearl River from Section 1 in penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie as senior goalkeeper Cat Wall dove to her left to stop the first attempt by a Pirate while juniors Corynna Rotoli, Sabrina Trapani, sophomore Lily Brongo, and junior Lily DePalma each converted as the Rangers won 4-2 on kicks to advance to the state final against Shoreham-Wading River from Section II (Long Island).
The two teams were scoreless after the first 40 minutes, but the Wildcats took a 1-0 lead as Elizabeth Shields sent a perfect cross to Gianna Cacciola, who redirected it into the net for a 1-0 lead at 64:31.
With Spencerport pressuring in the closing minutes for the tying goal and sending every player across midfield, the Wildcats punched out a Ranger corner kick to Ashley Borriello, who had a breakaway open net to make it 2-0 with 24 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
Spencerport goalkeeper Cat Wall was named outstanding goalkeeper and Trapani was named Spencerport’s Outstanding Player for the match.
“They’re a good team and played well definitely the first half and we got out of there and in the second half we won a bit more of the midfield, but still didn’t create good opportunities,” Spencerport head coach Jamie Schneider said.
“We’ve been here before, so playing in a state tournament final is always a double-edged sword. You’re proud, but it’s never a good feeling when you don’t get the final result that you want.
“We’re extremely proud to come out of our Section four years in a row and the Far West Region.”
