Green tames Tigers again

It was the third time in four years Howland has lost to the Bulldogs.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

HOWLAND — Unfortunately for followers of the Howland High girls soccer program, they’ve seen this before.

Wednesday night, the Green High Bulldogs defeated Howland 2-1 in overtime in a Division I district semifinal.

It was the third time in four years that Green has beaten the Tigers in tournament play by a 2-1 score.

Howland, 12-1-5 this season, won the district title last fall.

Caitlin Glassner scored with 6:53 remaining in the second overtime period to decide the contest. The goal came after Hannah Koeberle crossed the ball from the right side through a crowd to Glassner who banged in her second goal of the night.

“I can’t think of a tougher loss in all my coaching career,” Howland coach Pat Hovance said. “Thirty years, numerous sports, these girls have worked harder than any team I’ve ever coached. “The leadership from our seniors was there all year long. To not get a ‘W’ tonight just does not make sense to me.”

The Tigers dominated play in the second overtime and created three good scoring chances.

Green (11-6-2) goalkeeper Amanda Unroe (six saves) got her hand on a shot by Megan Long less than two minutes into the period.

With about nine minutes left in overtime, Jessica Wilson made a good run and set up Abby Nicholas in front of the net, but a Green defender poked the ball away at the last second.

Less than a minute later, Deja Amato fired high from just outside the penalty area after she made an outstanding run through traffic and then worked a give-and-go with Nicholas.

The Tigers never would have had those chances in the second overtime period if not for keeper Casey Haering (five saves).

With about four minutes remaining in the first overtime, Glassner whistled in a free kick from about 30 yards out, but Haering was able to reach up and deflect the ball over the net.

Both keepers made big plays in the final two minutes of regulation time. Unroe took the ball off the foot of Long after a pass from Nicholas with about two minutes to play. Then, with 25 seconds remaining, Haering came out to smother the ball just as a Green attacker got to it.

Glassner scored her initial goal with 26:59 remaining in the second half on a free kick from 18 yards out. Howland responded almost immediately.

Stephanie Keul made an impressive run and got the ball to Nicholas in front of the net with a defender on her back. Nicholas was able to turn and free herself for a shot which tied the game at the 25:52 mark. About three minutes later, Nicholas got the ball in a similar situation on a feed from Anna Wall, but the defender was able to knock the ball away.

The immediate response by the Tigers was expected by Hovance.

“There was no doubt in my mind we would [respond], that’s the kind of team we have. I don’t know how many open chances we had. That’s the nature of this game, unfortunately.

“They’re [Green] a very good team, I see them going pretty far in the tournament. We’ve fought it out with them I don’t know how many times and it comes down to games like this.”