After a 2-2 regulation game and four overtimes, the Cougars finally prevail.
By TERRY JONES
Published February 11, 2004
DURANT - Regulation plus four five-minute overtime periods were not enough time to decide whether Wellington or Durant was the better team. A 3-2 edge in penalty kicks were required to give Durant the title and a date with Stuart Martin County for the region final.
After a 2-2 tie at the end of six periods, Durant broke the tie as Alicia Tirelli, Lisa Heyman and Mallory Little successfully nailed penalty kicks. Megan Bowers stopped three for the Cougars.
"Mallory did a super job with her kick, even though she didn't play in the regular game," Durant coach Dick Sheffield said. "She really hammered it up into the top corner. Both sides had their chances in regulation and all played a great game. It is really a shame to have to finish a match with PK's at this level."
Wellington scored first at 23 minutes. Junior forward Casey Cleary broke through the middle and blasted the ball past keeper Megan Bowers.
Seven minutes later, sophomore Karla Espinoza took a cross from Cleary and easily slipped it by Bowers for the second goal.
Both goals came off excellent counter attacks by the Wolverines. Wellington allowed the Cougars to work near the goal mouth, then kicked long balls to forwards who held back and ran past defenders, leaving Bowers almost alone.
Because of the tight marking by Wellington, Durant was unable to get inside 15 yards for a shot, but senior captain Tirelli bent a free kick around the wall and by the keeper for an unassisted goal at 39 minutes of the first half.
The half ended with a 2-1 Wellington lead.
Wellington came out after the break and immediately went into a defensive mode.
Gabi Rivera had other plans. Only two minutes into the second half, she stole the ball and charged down the middle, kicking the ball wide of diving Wellington keeper Megan Hession.
Rivera then kicked the ball softly into the open net to tie the score at two.
