Sunday, October 21, 2001
The Cardinals won on a penalty kick by Grazia Sorice to win the sectional title.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
POLAND -- The Canfield High girls soccer team upset No. 1-seeded Poland 2-1 on Grazia Sorice's penalty kick with 10 minutes, 2 seconds remaining to win a Division I girls sectional championship Saturday at Poland High Stadium.
The Cardinals (10-7-1) avenged two regular season losses to the Metro Athletic Conference champion Bulldogs and advanced to a district semifinal Tuesday against Green, which defeated Canton Glen Oak 4-1.
Canfield coach Dennis Opritza knew his team could play with the Bulldogs because of the close regular season battles.
"[Poland] beat us 2-1 twice this season to win the conference," Opritza said. "In the MAC, it's tough to beat anyone three times in a season."
Tough defense: Canfield played a tenacious defensive match, especially in the second half, and fought off numerous scoring threats by the Bulldogs.
It was the defense, however, that led to several breakaway plays by Canfield, with one setting up the late heroics by Sorice.
A Poland defender tackled Canfield's Abbey Ferko inside the penalty area to set up the game-winning kick by Sorice.
"It was a good call," admitted Poland coach Jim Sutman. "I have no problem with the call. I saw the girl get pulled down by one of our players."
Ironically, Poland defeated Canfield in the second encounter between the two teams also on a penalty kick.
Sorice said she was concerned as she lined up the shot from 12 yards out.
"I've been having trouble with [penalty kicks] lately so I was a little nervous," Sorice said. "But I knew I could get it if I put my head into it."
First goal: Sorice also scored the first goal of the game for Canfield on a corner kick that sliced inside the left edge of the goal at the 34:30 mark of the first half.
Poland's offense went on the attack and Canfield was forced to do what they do best -- play defense.
"I believe in building my teams around defense," Opritza said. "If you play good defense, offensive opportunities will open themselves up. Most of our best athletes play defense."
Opritza was referring to goal keeper Noelle Zalac, who had seven saves, and sweeper Kelly Williams.
"We had to hang tough out there," Williams said. "We were all getting really tired, but we had to dig deep and come through."
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Poland got back in the game quickly in the second half when Brittan Davis scored her team-leading 17th goal of the season off an assist from Tara McLarney with 34:08 remaining.
Despite the goal, Canfield refused to buckle, and the Bulldogs bowed out of tournament play with an impressive 13-3-1 record.
"I'm really proud of our team," Sutman said. "And I'm really proud of the Canfield team. What a wonderful game. Both teams played really well."
After the game, Zalac summed up her team's feelings.
"It's amazing," Zalac said. "It feels so good because we haven't won here in eight years. It's just awesome."