The Amherst Tigers came back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime to upset the Lew-Port Lancers 3-2 in double overtime and win the Section VI Girls Soccer A2 Championship.
“We’ve given up a goal to every team in the first maybe ten minutes for the last six or seven games. Somehow we always manage to come back and score one more than the other team,” said Amherst Head Coach JoAnna Fildes. “It makes me nervous but it’s fine with them.”
“I actually think that we play a little bit better when we have someone score against us, it motivates us a little more,” said senior Haley Dauria.
The top seeded Lancers started the game bringing it to Amherst. Sophomore Alexis Lindamer put Lew-Port on the board just 10 minutes into the game. A few minutes later Lindamer found Kerstin Crum for the Lancers’ second goal. With strong play in net by senior captain Katelin White, who made more than a few big saves, it looked like Lew-Port was heading to the Class A final.
After coming out of the gate strong to start the second half, Gina Fahey finally got the Tigers on the board. Then the Tigers continued to battle. Amherst tied the game as fifth year varsity player Abby DeCicco fired a shot into the net with eight minutes left in regulation. It was Dauria who completed the comeback, scoring with four minutes left in the second overtime.
With the win, the Amherst Tigers earned a spot in the Class A final against Grand Island, who defeated Williamsville East 3-1 in the succeeding game. The last time the Tigers were in the Sectional final was in 2008 when they lost in triple overtime.
“We definitely upped our intensity (in the second half) and we knew we wanted it more than them,” said Dauria.
Fildes was very proud of her team for their great accomplishment after the game. “It’s honestly phenomenal. They work their butts off,” said Fildes.
The Tigers will play Grand Island for the Class A final on Tuesday night at 7:30pm at Williamsville North High School.
