Scoreless tie gives Susquehannock the Division II girls' soccer crown
After 100 minutes of girls' soccer action between Dover and Susquehannock on Tuesday night, not much was resolved on the scoreboard.
The Eagles and Warriors battled to a 0-0 draw following two overtime periods, but the tie allowed Susquehannock to clinch the YAIAA Divison II crown.
"I'm so proud of our team. It was very nerve-racking," Susquehannock senior goalie Ashley Stone said. "That's the best team we're probably going to see inside York County. I have to give it to our defense, they saved my butt so many times."
Although Stone deflected the praise, both team's defensive efforts — and specifically the goalkeepers — stole the show on Tuesday.
Stone finished with 12 saves for the Warriors (12-2-2, 10-0-2), and Tori Wantz finished with 11 saves for Dover (9-2-3, 8-0-3).
"She's an incredible goalie," Stone said of Wantz. "She's probably one of the best keepers I've seen. As a junior, she's incredible."
Dover's best scoring chance came at the beginning of the second overtime when, off a corner, the Eagles' all-time leading scorer Brooke Firestone headed a ball off the left post.
"I thought it was in," Dover assistant coach Scott Goode said.
Wantz also started celebrating what she thought was the game-winner.
"I was back there cheering away. I thought she scored," Wantz said.
Susquehannock head coach Pat Brubaker breathed a sigh of relief when the ball bounced off the post. Firestone scored twice in the first meeting between the teams this season.
"Brooke is my vote for player of the year. She's a phenomenal player," Brubaker said. "I'm just glad we were able to keep her out tonight, with the help of the post."
Wantz's big save came in the second half with 12:57 to play. Taylor Tannura had a penalty kick, and Wantz made the right play on the ball to keep the game scoreless.
"I didn't know where she was going to go," Wantz said. "It was such a big game. Obviously it's not always on the keepers, but you always just want the best for the team."
That penalty drew the ire of Dover head coach Bret Altimore, who was ejected from the game with 12:34 remaining.
When the teams met Sept. 22, they tied 2-2. Tuesday was another tie for the two evenly matched squads.
"It's tough to get too excited on a 0-0 tie, but we clearly defended well," Brubaker said. "We created a few chances and they are a very good team. We needed a tie to win the division and we got it."
Dover0000—0Susquehannock0000—0
Shots on goal — D 12, S 11.
Corners — D 5, S 2.
Goalies — D, Tori Wantz (11 saves). S, Ashley Stone (12 saves).