Batavia, NY - Onondaga Women's Soccer concluded their season at the 2024 National Tournament at Genesee Community College. The team finished the season with an overall record of 12-3-1.
Gallery: (11-13-2024) OCC vs MVCC - National Quarterfinal
The Region III matchup between the Lazers and Hawks had the final game on Wednesday starting at 6:30pm. The teams' prior meeting took place in mid September at Onondaga, where the Hawks handed the Lazers their first loss of the season with a 2-1 final score.
The first goal came just a short 1:44 into the match for the Hawks, taking an early lead. But the Lazers had a response at 34:58 on a top shelf free kick from defender
Rosa Stasyuk out the Hawks' goalie's reach tying it up 1-1. With 11:31 remaining in the first half, Mohawk Valley's Jenna Johnson scored her second goal of the day giving the Hawks back their lead. But the lead was short lived after
Harmony Russell was fouled and earned the Lazers a penalty kick.
Brenna Mast took the PK for the Lazers putting one in the lower right corner of the goal, tying it up with just a few minutes remaining in the half.
The Region III teams battled it out in the second half resulting in a remaining 2-2 tie at the end of regulation and forcing their first 10-minute overtime. The scoreless 10-minutes forced a second overtime, which would also remain scoreless, forcing penalty kicks to decide the game.
Onondaga's first PK came from
Brenna Mast who was able to find the back of the net. Mohawk Valley followed also able to get it passed OCC's
Geona Wood.
Harmony Russell took OCC's second PK, scoring another for the Lazers. Mohawk Valley answered with their second.
Rosa Stasyuk came up to bat for OCC's third, but sailed over the cross bar for their first miss. Mohawk Valley scored their third PK, giving them the lead.
Ellysia Germain took the final shot for the Lazers, but it found the hands of the Hawks goalie. The Hawks scored their final penalty kick, resulting in a 4-2 loss in PKs for Onondaga and forcing them into the consolation bracket.
Thursday's matchup was against the No. 7 Ocean County Vikings out of Toms River, NJ. The Vikings are a familiar opponent whom the Lazers faced in their consolation match at the 2023 tournament as well.
Gallery: (11-14-2024) OCC vs Ocean County
Onondaga clinched the program's very first National Tournament win over Ocean County with a 1-0 victory with the lone goal scored by
Ellysia Germain on an assists from
Harmony Russell in the 37th minute of play. Goalkeeper
Geona Wood had 6 saves in the shutout.
Onondaga's
Brenna Mast was named to the 2024 All-Tournament team.
Harmony Russell finishes the season as the second leading goal scorer in all of NJCAA Division III and fourth in overall points. Other season accomplishments include the Lazers' second consecutive Championship Tournament appearance and second consecutive MSAC and Region III title.
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