The Schoharie girls' magical run through the soccer sectionals continues.
The Indians reached the state semi-finals this weekend with two dramatic victories in Lansingburgh last week.
The next stop for the Section II, Class C champions is Cortland High School on Saturday in the state semi-finals against Lansing at 5pm. The state Class C championship game looms on Sunday at SUNY Cortland at 10:30am.
On Wednesday evening, just two days after the sudden death of popular teacher Steven Hoard, the girls' downed WAC rival Canajoharie 2-1 to win the Section II Class C title. On Saturday evening, the Indians beat Section X champion Potsdam 2-0.
Canajoharie went to their attack mode in the first 10 minutes of the game but could not score. The Indians then had the best of the possession and senior Kaitlyn Kendle scored on a kick into the lower left corner of the net on an assist from Carrie Krohn with 11 minutes left in the first half.
The Cougars pressured SCS goalie Lindsey Vanier who had to make several point-blank saves, but the score was still 1-0 until Kendle, once again on an assist from Krohn, made it 2-0 with 18:11 left in the game.
Canajoharie scored with 3:32 left in the contest, but could not put in the equalizer giving the Indians the sectional championship.
It was an emotional game for the Indians playing only two days after the sudden death of Mr. Hoard.
Throughout the game, a sign hung behind the Indian bench stating, "We Play for Hoard." There was also a soccer ball in the shape of a heart and all the girls' uniform numbers on the sign.
Several times during the game, Co-Coach Kevin Scofield walked by and patted the sign.
After the Indians celebrated the victory in the middle of the field, he told them, "It's for our school. It's for our community and it's for Mr. Hoard."
Then on Saturday evening, the Indians beat Potsdam 2-0 in the state regionals.
Krohn scored midway through first half on an assist from Kendle and junior Seana Cleveland converted a penalty kick with 26 minutes left in the game.
Vanier made four saves in the victory, which pushed Schoharie's record to 19-1-1.
It was a trying week for the girls and all SCS students after Mr. Hoard's death.
"They wanted to play for him," Coach Scofield said. "They carried that sign and they mean it...
"They wanted to do well for him. He was a good guy for them. He was a good guy for our school. Steve would be very proud of them."
Going to the state semi-finals is the furthest any SCS team has gone.
"This is great that we're going to the final four," Coach Scofield said.
The girls, who went 16-1-1 last year and lost in the first round of sectionals at home, have put up a tremendous effort every game, he added.
"They've done a tremendous job. They've answered the bell every time."
Lansing, near Ithaca, is not traveling far for the semi-final game and has been in the final four before, according to Coach Scofield.
The Indians have gotten a strong scouting report on the team and are confident, he added.