Scotties get strong finish
Wania uses home-field knowledge to score spectacular tiebreaker
Like a sailor understanding wind currents and using that knowledge to move faster, Maddie Wania understands exactly where the sun sets on her home field. The senior midfielder from Ballston Spa utilized that knowledge adeptly Wednesday afternoon against Guilderland.
Standing more than 30 yards away and using a defender as a shield, Wania arched a long shot high over the outstretched hands of junior goalie Tor Rollins with 25:46 remaining. The Scotties added a breakaway goal from Ayla Hathaway with 2:48 left to score a 2-0 victory over the Lady Dutch to advance to the Class AA girls’ soccer quarterfinals.
Eighth-seeded Ballston Spa (7-7-1), a squad that opened the season 0-4-1 before edging Guilderland 1-0 on Sept. 21, advances to face top-seeded Shenendehowa (11-3-1) on Saturday.
Wania, who enjoyed a strong game prior to scoring, elicited a healthy celebration from her teammates after her well-placed shot eluded Rollins.
“Well, that is usually my spot. I try to get it in there. Sometimes, it goes over,” Wania said. “When I have the ball in my stride, I feel like I have to shoot it in there. It is very hard to see. That is where I go every time. I had to because (Rollins) is a really good goalie.”
“She has great soccer IQ and her awareness of where she is on the field and her ability to shoot from distance is one of her greatest strengths,” Ballston Spa coach Brian Retersdorf said of Wania, one of the team’s captains.
Guilderland coach Curtis Snyder could not blame anyone regarding Wania’s perfectly placed effort.
“That was just a world-class shot. What are you going to do? Applaud it and try to come back and get the equalizer,” Snyder said.
The ninth-seeded Lady Dutch managed to work the ball into Ballston Spa’s defensive zone several times and took a few corner kicks that proved threatening, yet they were unable to finish. Guilderland, a team that tied No. 3 seed Columbia 0-0 and defeated No. 4 seed Colonie 1-0, did not score a goal against the final four Suburban Council opponents it faced this season.
“That has been a little bit the bane of our existence this year that we just can’t put it in the back of the net,” Snyder said. “We work so hard and my defense is solid.”
The Scotties played solid in the back as well Wednesday, led by junior Sarah Lewza.
“Sarah Lewza is tough, physical and takes nothing from anybody. She gives it 100 percent every game and every practice,” Retersdorf said. “I can’t ask for any more from her.”
Following a scoreless first half, Retersdorf decided to allow his players to speak as they gathered.
“I have 100 percent faith in
them. They have played the game so long and know each other,” Retersdorf said. “Sometimes, it is important for me to step out and let them hash it out.” Wania was one of the players to speak up. She said the team needed to raise its level and play with more energy to avoid going to penalty kicks. Both of those requests were met over the final 40 minutes.
“Now we just have to start with that much energy Saturday,” Wania said.
The top eight seeds in Class AA will now compete to determine the final four to compete Oct. 27 at Mechanicville. Both Snyder and Retersdorf agree the field is wide open.
“Especially with the season ended, I think everyone has a chance against each other,” Retersdorf said. “All of the squads have talent in different areas of the field.”
“I think we have changed as a team and can be a big threat,” Wania said.
“You can’t be surprised this year. It is a unique year like that,” Snyder said. “Maybe the perennial powers come through because of their experience, but don’t sleep on teams like Columbia. They want it really bad.”