The Gilmour Academy varsity girls soccer team extended its season into the final week of October by virtue of a thrilling 2-1 playoff victory in double overtime at Norwayne High School this past week.
After earning a bye in the opening round of the OHSAA Tournament, the Lancers had to hit the road for their Sectional Final contest.
A line of severe thunderstorms moved through northeast Ohio in the late afternoon on the day of the match. Although the rain had moved through prior to kickoff, a very strong wind existed during the evening that would have a significant impact on the match.
Gilmour had the better of play for the opening 20 minutes of the match as the guests created a few high-quality chances.
Adeline Nemeth '24 got behind the Norwayne back line early in the match and had a good look at goal, but the goalkeeper was able to make a nice save. About 15 minutes into the match, Kelly McFadden '23 won a header off a corner kick. She nicely redirected it toward the far post, but the goalkeeper was able to recover and make the save.
Gilmour's pressure would pay off in the 18th minute after Meghan Bhanoo '22 drew a foul with her effort. Abby Minello '22 took the ensuing free kick and unleashed a brilliant effort from over 35 yards out. Minello's kick was on a perfect trajectory as it was too high for the leaping goalie before ducking just under the crossbar.
The Gilmour goal seemed to wake the hosts up a little bit as they started to gain more of a foothold in the match.
Norwayne would tie the match about six minutes before halftime when an initial shot was saved but the rebound was slotted home by an open Bobcat.
With an increasingly strong wind at its back, Norwayne controlled much of the second half. The Bobcats kept the ball in their offensive half for much of the period, but a determined effort by the GA defense kept the hosts at bay.
One of Gilmour's best chances in the second half came when Brooklyn Steiner '24 took a low shot from about 20 yards out. The effort appeared to catch the goalie by surprise, but she was able to stick out her leg and make a kick save.
With the teams tied after 80 minutes of action, the match headed to sudden-death overtime.
Gilmour goalkeeper Stacy Barresi '24 was called upon in the first overtime and came through when her team needed her the most. One of the Bobcat forwards got in alone in goal, but Barresi came out to cut down the angle and made an amazing save to extend the match.
As the match moved into a second extra session, Gilmour would find the much-awaited game-winning goal.
Nemeth received the ball on the left flank and worked to create some separation from her defender. She took a touch back inside and unleashed a high, right-footed effort toward the far post from 25 yards out. The ball hung in the air before making its way over the goalie and inside the side netting of the far post.
The rest of the Lancers, those on the field and on the bench, erupted in jubilation and stormed the game-winning goalscorer, with numerous hugs following the spontaneous celebration at midfield.