Release courtesy of ACPHS Athletics

ACPHS played SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to a 2-2 draw after two overtimes, but prevailed 5-4 in penalties to become the 2015 HVIAC Women's Soccer Champions. The Panthers finish HVIAC play at 12-3-1, while SUNY-ESF drops to 10-1-2.

Albany Pharmacy started hot just as they have so many times this season with a goal after just 59 seconds came off the clock. It was a familiar duo as well; freshmen Katie Benson (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) and Erin Tersegno (Webster, NY / Webster Thomas) played a nice 1-2, with Tersegno finding a wide open Benson behind the defense. Benson slotted the ball past SUNY-ESF Kiki Hilmer, and continued her record-setting season with her 27th goal. Tersegno made it look as if the Panthers would run away with this one in the 15th minute, with her 26th goal of the season. Benson was truly the architect of this though, because after collecting the ball in the offensive third, she placed a sublime chip over the whole SUNY-ESF defense, which would lead to ACPHS's early 2-0 lead. After junior keeper Amy Jagareski (South Glens Falls / South Glens Falls) saved a penalty taken by ESF midfielder Heather Carl, the Panthers looked well on their way to an easy victory. But the Mighty Oaks would not go quietly, netting in both the 30th and 39th minutes to even the score at two. The first was created by ESF forward Brittany Striffler, who was a thorn in the Panther's side all game. She sent a lovely cross over the head of junior keeper Amy Jagareski (South Glens Falls / South Glens Falls), which was swept in by ESF striker Natalee Wrege. 10 minutes later, ESF midfielder Jessie Smith took it upon herself to tie the game with a nice solo effort, dribbling past multiple Panther defenders just before halftime.

The second half so no goals scored for either side, but it did not lack in excitement. The Panthers were outshot 13-7 in the half, forcing Jagareski into five saves, most of which of the difficult variety. Her counterpart Hilmer matched her step-for-step though, making two saves of her own off of quality chance for the Panthers. Both overtime periods continued to see ESF on the front foot, with Jagareski making five more saves, while the Panthers did not attempt a single shot. ESF looked to be a winner at the end of the first overtime when a shot by Wrege rolled past the goal line as time expired. After a conference the refs ruled no goal, and penalties became the only way to separate the two teams. It was Wrege who was the only shooter to miss their penalty, skying her effort well over the net. Junior Rebecca Foote (Arcade, NY / Pioneer) finished off ESF hitting the 5th out of five penalties for ACPHS, and sending the team into a frenzy. After the game, Jagareski was given Tournament MVP for her outstanding performance, making 16 saves in the championship game. Tersegno was honored as 2015 HVIAC Rookie of the Year, with Benson being named Co-Player of the Year with ESF midfielder Heather Carl. Finally, junior Katie Parsels (Rochester, NY / Gates Chili) and senior Nicole Burline (Sauquoit, NY / Sauquoit Valley) were named to HVIAC All-Conference Team along with Benson and Tersegno.

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Release courtesy of ESF Athletics

In the first round game of the HVIAC tournament, the Mighty Oaks cruised past King's College 6-0. Junior Heather Carl opened the scoring six minutes into the game on a rebound off the King's College goalie. Six minutes later, Abbie Moddafei's header off a cross from senior Bryony Striffler put ESF up 2-0. Another goal by sophomore Lauren Archer in the wanning seconds of the first half gave the Mighty Oaks a 3-0 lead at half time.

The Mighty Oaks controlled the ball most of the second half. Second half goals were scored by Madison Cummiskey assisted by Anna Bishop (60'), Lauren Archer assisted by Natalee Wrege (80') and Jessie Smith assisted byMegan Steward (82').

The Mighty Oaks fell to the Panthers of Albany College of Pharmacy for the second time this season, 7-5, in a penalty shootout in the HVIAC championship game Oct. 25.

The Panthers struck fast and first, nearly two minutes into the game. Another goal by Albany Pharmacy at the 14th minute put ESF into an early 2-0 hole. The Mighty Oaks held their composure and ran the game plan, controlling possession for most of the first half and finally converting a goal at the 29th minute when sophomore Natalee Wrege was the recipient of an excellent cross from senior Bryony Striffler. The Mighty Oaks continued their attack and tied up the game, 2-2, when sophomore Jessie Smith beat a Panthers defender and sent a shot into the upper corner past the goalie.

The second half was a battle of possessions. ESF controlled the ball most of the second half despite losing sophomore goal scorer Lauren Archer to an ankle sprain midway through the half. Both teams had no luck converting any goals as the match headed into overtime. The Mighty Oaks had numerous scoring opportunities, some of which fell just inches short of the net as the game went into double overtime and finally had to be settled in a penalty kick shootout. ESF converted all but one of its penalty kicks while Albany Pharmacy went 5-5 on its penalty kicks, winning the match 7-6 and taking home the 2015 HVIAC women's soccer title.

After the game, the HVIAC recognized the season's All-Conference Team and Player of the Year. Receiving all-conference team honors were Striffler, sophomore Megan Herbst and junior Heather Carl. Carl also was named the HVIAC Co-Player of the Year, an honor she shared with Albany Pharmacy freshman Katie Benson. ESF Head Coach Dan Ramin was named the HVIAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year but he passed the honor to Panther Head Coach Christine Kanawada, whose team had defeteated the Mighty Oaks twice this season.

The team finishes the regular season with a 10-2-1 overall record and a ranking in the top five nationally in the USCAA for the second year in a row. The squad will know its next opponent in the USCAA national soccer tournament after the tournament selection show Oct. 27. The tournament runs Nov. 4-7 in Asheville, North Carolina.