Marathon Girls Soccer advance to Sectionals Semi-Finals

(Photo provided by Brenna Keller).

Yesterday, the Marathon Olympians took down #4 seeded Roxbury in a double overtime win on the road in order to advance to the Section IV Semi-Finals. 

The entire game was a midfield battle. Both teams had strong center midfielders that controlled the play of the game. 

The first scoring chance came with about 5 minutes left in the first half when Marathon’s Delta Barber had an open shot that she sent wide right. The second half scoring chances belonged to Roxbury. They put the pressure on Marathon, and kept the ball on their offensive end for the majority of the half. 

Marathon’s keeper Kristi Walley made every play to keep her team in the game. Regulation ended with a score of 0-0. 

Walley ended the game with a total of 12 saves. 

The first ten minutes of overtime was an equal battle between teams and again ended in 0-0. The second ten minutes of overtime started much the same, neither team getting an advantage. 

(Photo provided by Brenna Keller).

With 1:40 left in the second overtime, Roxbury’s defense was unable to get control of the ball as Delta Barber headed it to herself and took a low shot to the left side corner of the net as Roxbury’s keeper came out. That ended up being all the Olympians needed secure the victory as time expired.

“This game was unbelievable, one of the best I have ever been a part of,” said Marathon head coach, Elizabeth Duncan. “No team deserved to lose this game. The field conditions were rough, lots of players slipping in the mud and at times unable to gain footing and possession of the ball. It was a much smaller field than we are used to playing on; we had trouble at times connecting and getting our offense started without the space available. The field played well to Roxbury’s game, they had a few chances in the box to sneak one in.” 

Kristi Walley had the game of her career tonight; she read the shots well and was in position to gather everything with solid hands. She is a senior and understands the importance of a game like this, and came through for her team. Delta Barber came up huge for her team as well, she was getting frustrated with herself and our coaches and players kept reminding her to keep her confidence. Big players show up in big moments and that was the story for us tonight. I can’t express how proud I am of these players for battling through a tough game with their season on the line, these girls are battle tested and they deserve this win.”

Next, the Lady Olympians will be taking on #1 seed Schenevus on Tuesday, October 29th at the Oneonta Hall of Fame Fields. The game is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.