KC girls win title on OT goal
BROCKWAY — At some point during a span of four and a half minutes of overtime, Sarah Dodd gained the confidence to bring a District 9 championship back to Karns City.
Mired in a 2-2 tie with Clearfield in Thursday's District 9 Class 2A girls soccer title game, the Gremlins were awarded a penalty kick in the 89th minute of play.
KC coach Tracy Dailey knew immediately who she wanted to take the shot.
“We practice penalty kicks and by far, Sarah has the best percentage on the team of making them,” she said.
But Dodd, a freshman defender, turned down the opportunity.
“I was very nervous and didn't want to miss,” she explained.
Instead, junior forward McKenna Martin, who had scored both of KC's goals in regulation, stepped in to take the shot, which was saved by Clearfield goalkeeper Allison Shipley.
Less than five minutes later, the Gremlins were again set to take a penalty kick and this time, Dodd answered the call. She placed her shot in the top left corner of the net, sending her teammates into a frenzy as KC celebrated a 3-2 victory over the Bison at Frank Varischetti Field.
It was the first time all season the Bison (19-1) tasted defeat.
“I wanted to take the second shot,” Dodd said. “I knew I could send our team to states.”
The same teams met here last year for the district crown, with Clearfield earning a 5-4 win over the Gremlins.
Gremlins' goalkeeper Rossi McMillen, who felt the sting of last year's loss, responded with an incredible performance Thursday, one that brought with it sweet redemption.
The senior made 16 saves and denied Clearfield star Elle Smith, a junior who has scored over 100 career goals, on a number of occasions.
“I wanted to win the district so bad,” McMillen said. “I know I could have made some of those saves last year and wanted to do better in this game.
“I'm thankful for McKenna and for Sarah scoring on that penalty kick,” she added. “I'm thankful for the whole team.”
The Bison took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute on a goal by Emma Hipps following a Bison corner kick.
Martin's first goal tied the score shortly before halftime and her tally in the 72nd minute gave the Gremlins (15-3) a 2-1 lead.
But Smith made good on a penalty kick five minutes later and the game entered overtime at 2-2.
But the Bison, who controlled play for much of the night, had many scoring chances earlier in the game denied by McMillen.
She dove and jumped to make many of her saves and came off her line on several other occasions to pull the plug on Clearfield's attack.
“She was a difference-maker tonight,” said Dailey. “She made some unbelievable saves.”
One stop in particular came in the 67th minute. Smith got off an unobstructed shot just yards in front of McMillen, but the goalie jumped and got her left hand on the ball, which was headed for the top right corner of the net.
Smith turned and threw her arms up in frustration.
“We had possession for most of the game and could tell they (Gremlins) were getting tired,” said Clearfield coach Todd Winters. “Their keeper was just lights out.”
KC will open the state playoffs on Tuesday.
