Though it wasn’t for a state championship, the top two-ranked girls soccer teams in Class B clashed Saturday when no. 1-ranked Marcellus faced no. 2-ranked Mechanicville in the regional final at Stillwater High School.
And it’s doubtful anything that might take place this weekend at the state final four might equal the sheer drama of this game, which nearly spilled over beyond regulation and overtime before a very familiar face delivered for the Mustangs a 1-0 victory.
For a long time this game exactly echoed the Nov. 1 Section III Class B final against Christian Brothers Academy. The Red Raiders’ defense had likely paid attention to what the Brothers had done and equaled that resistance throughout the 80 minutes of regulation time.
As the tension built and Marcellus again found itself in OT, it steadily increased the pressure throughout the first 15-minute period, helped in no small part by Mechanicville having just 10 players due to a red card.
Still, the Red Raiders got a great chance to win it at the 12-minute mark, Maddy Hopeck flashing open in front of the net and delivering a point-blank shot, only to have Tenly Baker stop it for her biggest save of the season.