Lady Generals edged by Jamestown-Olean in great final game

Herkimer, NY – The Herkimer women’s soccer team lost a thrilling, heartbreaking game to the Jamestown-Olean Jaguars 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.  Both teams played very well, but one breakaway goal gave the visitors the win.

The temperature was around 40 and the skies were dark, but both teams were ready to play.  Both teams played so well that it was easy to see why soccer is often called The Beautiful Game.

The 2011 Herkimer team has typically saved its best outings for its best opponents, and the Generals played their A Game against the Jaguars.  Herkimer’s passing was quick and crisp.  The pace of the game was impressive.

Photo, above right:  Herkimer’s excellent goalkeeper Michelle Cuomo goes high to stop a Jaguar shot – the other defenders pictured are Sky Timmons (9), Emily Baldwin (14), Allison Kaye (partially hidden), and Mary Spanfelner (23-far left)

The home side lost one of their best players for part of the first half.  Jessica Dutka is a force at midfield and forward.  She suffered a leg injury midway through the first half and was sidelined for several minutes.  Then she was in a collision with 6:10 to play and was unable to play again until the second half.

The back-and-forth game was tied 0-0 at the half.

The second half began well for Herkimer, but after nearly three minutes of play, Jaguars’ speedster Ashley Skelly broke loose.  Skelly sprinted down the right side of center, picked the right shooting spot, and fired a low shot that Michelle Cuomo had no chance of stopping.  1-0 Jamestown-Olean.

Photo:  General Melissa Stec had another very good outing

The Generals never gave up.  Freshman Melissa Stec was playing yet another strong game for Herkimer.  Stec, Dutka, Franci Robinson, and others worked several good attacks, but the Jags’ defenders were about as good as the Generals’ defenders, and they kept the home side off the scoreboard.

Stec made an exceptional play in the second half.  A ball was rolling toward the Jags’ end line, to the right of the goal.  Stec had to sprint all-out to save it from going out, but then she had a defender on her.  Stec knocked the ball toward the sidelines and again had to sprint all-out to keep it in play.  Then she worked her way around the defender and rifled a crossing pass two feet off the ground.  Dutka got to the ball and made a good deflection, but the deflected shot sailed just outside the far post.

Those same two Generals teamed up for another great strike a few minutes later.  Stec sent Dutka toward the goal with a great through ball.  Dutka fired a good shot from 18 yards out (photo below), but Jamestown goalie Autumn Woods was just barely able to dive to her right and deflect the shot wide of the post.

Every team that is good enough to make the playoffs must see their season end with a loss, unless they are the one and only team that wins the national championship.  Saturday’s game brought the Lady Generals’ season to a close.  The loss brought heartache and tears, but it could not diminish the quality of their season overall.  Their record is 11-5-2, and their season included victories, narrow losses, and a tie against top quality teams.  This Generals team deserves great credit for a fine season.