Sauquoit – Nicole Failing’s scoring and All-State senior Maria Morotti’s play in the midfield set the tone in most girls soccer matches this year for Little Falls. They did again to start Wednesday night’s Class C semifinal as Failing scored in the fifth minute and Morotti’s goal in the 38th minute made it 2-0 at the half.
There was no denying the Mounties the rest of the night as they went on to win 4-0, but there was also no denying LF is more than a two-girl team. Kailee Jasewicz figured into every goal’s scoring somehow, the defense denied Dolgeville’s All-State forward Sarah George many chances and everyone else seemed to contribute on a cold night.
Mounties midfielder Kailee Jasewicz (33) strikes a first half shot as Dolgeville’s Emily Giarusso (6) gives chase (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
“That’s what makes it great,” LF coach Sal Marchese said.”
Marchese’s team will seek a second sectional crown in three years as a result.
“These girls are on a mission,” Marchese said. “They’re glad for the win, but they want next one.”
Mounties forward Nicole Failing (4) turns on the jets in open space. Failing tallied a goal and an assist tonight. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
Failing, a skilled and speedy sophomore, had a direct kick cleared in the first minute. There was no clearing her shot that gave state-ranked LF a 1-0 edge. She and Kailee Jasewicz worked the ball up the middle of the field, just getting past their defenders with great passes. Failing had a well-placed shot past Blue Devils goalie Bobbie Lee Hall. Alexis Smith had a good chance for the Blue Devils in the 14th minute only to see LF goalie Kylie Miles make a save.
Morotti, Jasewicz and Failing kept the pressure up the rest of the half until Morotti broke through with a goal with 1:08 until halftime. Jasewicz set her up perfectly and the senior hit a hard shot Hall had no chance on.
The Mounties finished the half with a 9-3 edge in shots on goal.
Jasewicz scored off a pass from Failing less than six minutes into the second half to all but end Dolgeville’s hope of a miracle comeback. The junior then scored on a breakaway in the 70th minute that Kharla Gullis assisted on.
Little Falls’ Kharla Gullis (15) right, puts a move on Dolgeville’s Hannah Spofford (15) during early action. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
“It’s always tough to beat a team three times in a year,” Marchese said of the league and neighboring rival his team beat convincingly twice earlier in this 2016 season. “
The key to beating Dolgeville often revolves around containing All-State senior Sarah George. George helped key an upset win against Sauquoit Valley in last week’s Class C quarterfinals. Wednesday night she was able to get away from defenders for just one shot. LF controlled possession to the tune of a 14-3 edge in shots and 8-1 edge in corner kicks. Hall made 10 saves while Mikles had three for the winners.
Little Falls’ Geena Morrotti (18) gets a foot up to disrupt a pass intended for Dolgeville’s McKensey Castor (right). Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
Coaches Kat Bilinski and Mark Lewandowski’s Blue Devils should be heard from next year, though, as they had just seven seniors.
Dolgeville: Saves – Bobbie Lee Hall 10.
Little Falls: Nicole Failing 1-1, Kailee Jasewicz 2-2, Maria Morotti 1-0. Saves – Kylie Miles 3.
