LINWOOD — “It was definitely exciting. I loved the rush of excitement and adrenaline. It was just a really great moment and we deserved it,” Maddie Taylor said of her game-winning goal in a penalty shootout Monday in the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament semifinal match.
“It really comes down to you. The pressure is there, you feel light-headed and nervous but once it’s over the benefit’s incredible,” she said.
Mainland Regional High School (11-3 overall, 9-3 Cape-Atlantic League American Division) played an entertaining game against Absegami High School (13-2 overall, 12-0 CAL National) on Oct. 20 that ended in a 1-1 draw after 80 minutes of regular time and 20 more of overtime, forcing a penalty kick shootout for a chance to face Egg Harbor Township on Oct. 22 in the CAL final.
It featured three yellow cards and a saved penalty shot in the second overtime period to force the shootout.
The Mustangs, who have lost twice to the Eagles this season (2-0, 4-2), are set to face Egg Harbor Township again at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 22 after winning the shootout 5-4.
Mainland started strong and got on the board first late in the half with a nice combination goal finished by junior scoring leader Emma Tenaglia (20 goals, 6 assists).
Scrappy center midfielder Taylor, a senior from Northfield, gained possession and moved the ball to freshman Nola Person near the top of the box.
Person passed to Tenaglia on the left, where the play was temporarily broken up before she regained possession and fired the ball into the back of the net.
“We came out here very aggressive,” Mainland head coach Fred Napoli said. “We were ready to try and win and we just tried to play our game and not play down or play any different than how we normally play.”
The Mustangs controlled possession and had multiple chances but shots were high and wide or saved by the excellent efforts of freshman goaltender Keara Lawlor, who had surrendered only 10 goals all season.
Mainland continued to control possession throughout the game, but the Braves’ top scorers — juniors Ogechi Wokocha (19 goals, 5 assists) and Olivia Hagofsky (10/13) — were ready to take the ball the other way at a moment’s notice.
That’s what happened shortly after the second-half kickoff, when Wokocha, the wind at her back, leveled the match at 36:21 with a tremendous solo effort.
The Mustang defense was able to hold the Braves in check for the rest of the match but failed to score again as the clock ticked down to zero.
Both teams had chances in overtime as legs grew weary from exertion, but a shootout was looking increasingly likely until Tenaglia was fouled in the box and a penalty kick was awarded.
With a chance to win the game, Tenaglia stepped up and fired low to the right but Lawlor guessed right and knocked the ball away with two hands.
Tenaglia said she was disappointed that she did not score but noted Lawlor made an excellent save.
Taylor said the team supported Tenaglia rather than getting down.
“We just had to uplift her, keep her in the game, keep her head space in the game,” Taylor said. “And she redeemed herself.”
The second overtime period wound down and the daylight with it as the teams set up for the shootout.
Mainland went first as the home team, and senior Savannah Jones quickly made it 1-0.
Absegami Leila Torres followed with a goal of her own to level the match again for the Braves.
Tenaglia put the Mustangs back in front with a goal.
With a chance to tie, Absegami’s Natalie Moradel shot low to the right but Townsend made the save. However, it was determined that the goaltender moved early and the referee awarded another kick.
This time Moradel’s shot hit the post, rebounded into Townsend and bounced back into the net for the equalizer.
Mustang Emma Preissman was next, making no mistake with her shot, but the Braves leveled it once again.
Person put Mainland back on top in the fourth round, when Townsend made a save on Absegami’s Autumn Babcock, putting the Mustangs in the driver’s seat.
Taylor finished things off for Mainland.
Townsend said she was upset that the one penalty kick bounced off her and into the net and knew she had to save one for the win.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
