Last year’s two best girls soccer teams in Section Three’s Class B needed penalty kicks to decide which would advance in the state playoffs.
In their first matchup since, both Clinton and Holland Patent showed they plan to be back in the mix for a title again this season. In an 80-minute intense game of two well-matched teams, the Warriors took advantage of an early goal and then scored the winner on a penalty kick in a 2-1 win.
Clinton not only handed the Knights their first loss in six games, but also remained unbeaten with 3 wins and a tie. The game marked somewhat of a payback, as while the two squads shared the Class B title when their game ended in a tie, it was Holland Patent that won the shootout to advance.
Within the first 10 minutes, the Warriors took the lead, a difficult task against Holland Patent goalie Haedyn Roberts, who played an outstanding game. But, when Gwen Williams launched a hard kick that Roberts stopped, she was unable to hold on and the ball went back in play.
Avery Maxam put a foot on it and immediately sent a pass to Alexa Bohling, who found the space where Roberts wasn’t for the game’s first score and a 1-0 Warriors lead.
While Clinton didn’t let off, Holland Patent grew more…