Quakers tie to earn share of 'C' title
Friends Academy's Alexis Toles drives past Alice Haydan during the Class C final. (Nov. 20, 2011) Credit: Pat Orr
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- A tie was as good as a win for Friends Academy, which played 110 scoreless minutes with Hoosick Falls in the Class C girls soccer state championship and was named co-champion Sunday morning at Homer High School. It is the first state title for any girls sport at Friends Academy (12-0-2).
"This is a really special moment. It's very emotional," Friends Academy coach Gail Baker said. "Whether it's on our own or co, it still feels amazing . . . to bring back the first state championship as a girls sport."
The Quakers dominated play from start to finish but could not capitalize on their opportunities. Kristina Kim nearly won it for the Quakers on a 46-yard free kick with 3:30 left in the third overtime period but the ball bounced off Panthers goalkeeper Hannah Fricke (18 saves), hit the post and was cleared out of the box.
Junior midfielder Krystina Iordanou collided with Maritza Gonzalez 30 yards from Hoosick Falls' goal with 6:45 left in the first overtime period and did not return to the game. "I wasn't feeling fine but with the emotions, you want to get back in that game and play for your team," Iordanou said.
Baker said Iordanou, who has committed to Vanderbilt, did not have a concussion but chose to keep her out for the remainder of the game as a precaution. "She got us here. She's a nationally ranked player," Baker said. "She had tears in her eyes but we felt it was best to keep her on the side."
Sophia Toles marked eighth-grader Jordyn Haynes, who scored two goals for Hoosick Falls (20-1-2) in its 4-0 win Saturday. "No one usually gets past me," Toles said. "I don't want to sound cocky but, she was little. She got frustrated easily."
