Livonia girls soccer loses in state semifinals
HOMER — Abby Maiello scored both goals as Section II’s Mechanicville ended Livonia’s season, 2-1 in overtime of the Class B state soccer semifinals today at Homer High School.
Following a scoreless first half, Mechanicville (17-2-2) took the lead 90 seconds into the second. Maiello headed in a corner kick for her 27th goal this season. Tori Bredenberg served up a left-footed corner into the box for Maiello, who headed the ball into the near post.
Livonia (16-6) battled back and tied it with 14:12 remaining. Junior Maggie Horan scored on a free kick.
The remainder of regulation was scoreless, but in the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, Maiello scored her second goal. Alyssa Russell hustled along the line to track down the ball, made a nice run and fed Maiello, who converted a nifty strike to the near-post with 6:49 remaining in the first OT.
Livonia’s best scoring chance came with 8:33 remaining in the second OT. Hunter Pierce tracked down a loose ball and shot, but the ball sailed wide. Livonia, which claimed its only state title in 2006 and lost in the B finals in 2008, lost in the state semis for the second time in three years.
