The Saints posted one of their biggest wins in the last 25 years last weekend in taking down Tompkins-Cortland CC 4-0. They trumped that Saturday beating National power Broome CC 2-1 in a thrilling game played in the driving rain. The Saints, coming off their first loss of the season bounced back with a statement game. "We were ready from the start. We wanted this bad." stated Head Coach Kent Egglefield.
After battling through a scoreless first half in which both teams exchanged great scoring chances, the Saints withstood a heavy Hornets attack coming out of the break. "I told the girls the first 5 minutes of the second half would be the key." said Egglefield. "We knew they were frustrated and would come out firing. Once we got through that, I had a good feeling." After a battle between the teams to gain midfield throughout the next 20 minutes, the Saints finally broke through. Jessi Lawrence won a battle at midfield and played a pass to a streaking Morgan Fountain. Fountain carried right at the central defender long enough to pull her out and slip a perfect pass through to Courtney Boyea. Boyea went in one on one with the Hornets keeper and beat her with a beautiful shot to put the Saints up 1-0 with 18 minutes left. Then just 90 seconds later, Fountain scored what would end up the game winner with a perfectly placed shot from 30 yards out. "Kodi Perkins laid off a perfect pass to Morgan and right away she looked to pass. Everyone yelled "shoot" and thank god she did." said Egglefield. "I've been trying to get Morgan to shoot more all year. That was one of the prettiest shots I've seen in my time here."
Broome, coming off a 3-1 win over the Nation's #1 team Mohawk Valley, immediately responded applying heavy pressure. With just 14 minutes left, Broome's leading scorer Kendra Zacharias fired a shot through traffic that deflected off the goal post into the net.
The Hornets kept the pressure on for the next 12 minutes coming hard but were held off by the defense and Saints keeper Shelby Egnaczyk. With 2 minutes left, and the Saints in possesion in the attacking end, a steal and long ball over the top sent Broome striker Jordan Shepard-Loucks in on a breakaway. Egnaczyk met her at the pk mark and made an unbelievable save while also managing to hang onto the ball. One big punt later and a perfectly played ball to the opposing corner by Lawrence, and the celebration was on.
On the day the Hornets outshot the Saints 14-12. Egnaczyk was brilliant in the net posting 7 saves. "Shelby's best game by far." stated Egglefield.
"Abby Barnes, Sarah Slattery, Ali Richards, and Becky Cornwell stood out on the defense. The midfield of Abbey Lapage, Morgan Fountain, and Jess Lawrence were aggressive and out worked Broome, and our forwards, Courtney Boyea, Kodi Perkins, Courtney Hosler, Tori Bennett, and Brenna Whitney were fast, creative, and opportunistic on offense" said Egglefield. "It was an all around team win from top to bottom."
"That was the biggest win of my coaching career, and one of the biggest ever in Saints soccer history. It takes a lot to make me speechless, but these girls did it today." said Egglefield. "I'm amazed at what these girls can do. So incredibly proud today."
The Saints return to action at home on Wednesday vs. rival Clinton CC at 2pm
Saints Player of the Game- Jessi Lawrence
