In the opening game of the season the Alexander girls varsity soccer team ended regulation and overtime tied 2-2 with Arkport (the defending State Class D Champions) and fell 5-4 in the Penalty Kick Shootout after 6 kickers.
Alexander opened the scoring as Junior Forward Julia Pettys finished a rebound off Senior Midfielder Claire Hartl's shot to make the score 1-0 midway through the first half. Arkport tied the game (against the run of play) on a corner with under 10 minutes remaining in the first half to tie the game at 1.
It took only 3 minutes after halftime for Alexander to go back on top as Pettys again finished a rebound, this time from Senior Forward Megan Schmieder. Alexander looked to be on their way to victory only to have Arkport pounce on a cross that made its way across the mouth of the goal and was slid in with 57 seconds left in the game.
Through 20 minutes of overtime neither team could score. Each team sent 5 kickers out to take a PK, Alexander converted 4 of 5 (Senior Midfielder Autumn Atkinson, Senior Defender Amber Finan, Senior Defender Summer Bliss, and Sophomore Midfielder Abby Shilvock all found the net) but Arkport also converted 4 of 5 with Senior Goalkeeper Hannah Wilson making one save. Alexander missed their next kick over the net and Arkport scored their last kick (despite Wilson getting a solid hand on it) and Arkport advanced to the final against the hosts. Alexander will play Portville in the Consolation game.
Wilson made 8 saves in net while Arkports keeper made 18 which really displayed the advantage Alexander had in shots in the game.
Alexander is 0-0-1 on the season and plays Portville Saturday at 5:45pm at Kiwanis Field in Nunda.
