Herkimer Women upset #1 Erie to win Region IIIA Championship
Dryden, NY -The Herkimer Generals Women’s Soccer Team are back to back Region 3 Champions! The Generals traveled to Tompkins-Cortland CC in Dryden, New York on Sunday to take on the #1 nationally ranked and seeded Erie Kats who came in with an unblemished record. They were also not shutout all year. Both of those were about to change. Just 14 minutes into the game Maddie Renshaw (Herkimer, NY) found Ashley Capron (Burnt Hills, NY) who took a shot from 35 yards out which hit the post when Sarah George (Dolgeville, NY) followed up with a quality first time finish to give the Generals a 1-0 lead early. Three minutes later the Generals & George would strike again. Renshaw played a ball forward to Kristen Purcell (Sauquoit, NY) who in turned played a ball in behind the defenders to oncoming George. George would take the easiest of touches to tuck it past the Erie keeper for an early 2-0 lead 17 minutes into the game. The Generals would take that lead into halftime up 2-0 at the break.
In the second half the ladies played with heart and emotion frustrating Erie players and minimizing their chances. As the time dwindled down anticipation of another Regional Championship & a trip to nationals became more apparent. The Generals would see the shutout through until the end as they sealed a 2-0 victory. Rachel Todd (McGraw, NY) had 9 saves in the win. Caira Miles (Little Falls, NY) & George were named to the All-Tournament Team while Capron was named the MVP.
Coach Palkovic Said after the victory, “I am extremely proud of this group! The individual achievements are nice but what these girls did today was exceptional. The best defensive effort as a group to date and it showed shutting down a very high powered Erie offense. The ladies on the bench were in it, whoever was on the field were giving everything they had, and just exceptional jobs by all of them. I am extremely happy for this group right now! Annie Thorp (Hilton, NY) & Rachael Gross (Dolgeville, NY) did great jobs on their forwards, Maddie Renshaw commanding the midfield with Haley Harrington (Munnsville, NY) , to Alexis Romeyn ( St Johnsville, NY), Alyse Griffin (Camden, NY), & Kristen Purcell pressuring the outsides and up top, I am extremely happy for this group right now!” The Generals have now laid claim to 4 Regional Championships in the last 5 years. They move on to the NJCAA Division 3 National Championship Tournament hosted by Rock Valley in Illinois November 8th, 9th, & 11th