Valley Central punches in late goal to dispatch Minisink Valley in Section 9-AA title game
The Valley Central girls soccer program has been on the cusp of championship glory for the past five seasons. The Vikings did win a Section 9 title in the spring of 2021 but that was the COVID year and people have forgotten that quasi-season like they want to forget about wearing masks for a year.
The Vikings have remained competitive and finally made good on their first fall-season championship.
It wasn’t easy, and it probably took longer than anyone with the VC program would have liked, headed into Sunday’s Class AA showdown with Minisink Valley scoreless with less than five minutes to play.
“You could tell from the sideline that we were getting a little tense,’’ said VC coach Jon Walsh. “I knew though that we had the ability to put it in. We have shown all season long that we play start to finish. We never hold on to hope that we go into overtime.’’
That’s when countless scoring opportunities finally netted the one that was needed. Julia Capicchioni delivered a long lead pass into the penalty area with sophomore Hannah Stahl catching up to it about 15 yards from goal. Minisink defender Jaida Macaluso was with her step-for-step but Stahl stopped the roller with her left foot, pivoted and got off a shot as Macaluso whisked by, the ball rising over the gloves of goalkeeper Cayleigh Kuiken and finding the upper left corner – it’s actually a play she has practiced over and over since preseason camp.
“You could tell going off her foot that it was going in,’’ Walsh said.
“I was so happy,’’ she said. “I looked right at my sister (Sophia) and we gave each other a big hug. It was just relief to be able to know ‘We got this. We don't have to go into overtime.’’’
By the numbers
Valley Central has two remaining players from the spring 2021 squad: seniors Sophia Stahl and Grace Del Pilar; coincidentally, both have younger sisters on this squad. … The 1-0 victory was VC’s third shutout of the month and sixth of the season. … The Vikings have won five in a row and are 8-4 in one-goal decisions.
More: Varsity 845 girls soccer history
They said it
“It's been like that this season … we've just had close calls.’’ – Theresa Uhelsky, Minisink Valley coach
“Especially in soccer, you can carry play for 90% of the way and that 10% they get one good opportunity, one good run and the game changes. To get (the goal) and kind of solidify all the work and effort that we put in I think was huge for the girls.’’ – Jon Walsh, Valley Central coach
Up next
Valley Central gets a first-round bye in state, awaiting the winner of Wednesday’s playoff between Section 1 winner Somers (20-0) and Section 4 champ Vestal (16-1-1). Saturday’s regional final will be hosted by Wallkill High School at 3 p.m.
Class AAA final: Monroe-Woodbury shuts down powerful Pine Bush offense, claims the Section 9 crown
Class A final: Our Lady of Lourdes edges Beacon 2-1, repeats as Section 9 girls soccer champion
Class B final: O'Neill girls thrilled to reclaim sectional soccer title lost last year, beat Spackenkill
Class D final: A rebound season finished off nicely as Manor/Roscoe tops Eldred for crown
Class C final: Defending state champion Mount Academy repeats as Section 9 girls soccer titlist
Minisink Valley (9-8) loses six seniors but coach Theresa Uhelsky is excited with what she’s got coming back, bolstered late by the promotion of a junior varsity starter and a solid modified program.
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Valley Central edges Minisink for Section 9-AA girls soccer crown
