Pure Cinema: Lady Tribs Beat Rival Monroe in Post Season Game to Remember

ROCHESTER, NY - In an all-time classic Monroe Community College women's soccer team defeated the Monroe University Mustangs in the East District Semifinal in a 4-3 penalty shootout. The lights were flickering, literally and figuratively, as the Monroes went back and forth in a game that felt like it was straight out of Hollywood. It's one that all who watched will remember for some time. 

Both teams had quality chances in the first half and several opportunities to take the lead and the momentum. Sam Cipolla (Rochester, NY) and Kayla Baca (Spencerport, NY) were particularly inches away from finishing goals to take the lead but could not finish. In a similar respect, the Mustangs had their opportunities to score, but the defense of the Tribunes, in particular Kennady Billman (Belleville, NY) and keeper Clare Boesel (Palmyra, NY), were lights out and kept Monroe U. off the board in the first half. 

The second half, however, was full of fireworks. Cipolla scored the game's first goal and gave the Tribunes a lead scoring only 22 seconds into the second half off an assist from Baca. The movement between the two after the kickoff was clinical with the back and forth leading to a strike from outside the box, gaining momentum and the first lead. Moments later in the 46th minute, Mustangs Katherine Bean-Rosar scored off a cross from Carmen Santamaria, swinging the momentum back in their favor and drawing the game level.

After more play in the 55th minute, the Mustangs were awarded a penalty kick with a chance to take the lead and put the Tribunes in a bind. Mustangs Katherine Neves was successful in finishing the PK, taking the lead, and testing the metal of the Tribunes. 

With backs against the wall, the Lady Tribs showed their resiliency, with several chances to score but could not finish, that is until Baca jumped on a poor touch by a Mustangs defender, and drove with pace like a sprinter out of the blocks with the determination to save the season of her and her teammates, put the ball out of reach of Mustangs keeper Beatrice Vitaletti, drawing the game level, and reinvigorating the hopes of the Tribunes and their supporters. 

With the game level, each side showed some quality in an effort to break the tie but failed to capitalize after several chances and the game went into overtime. 

Both teams had tired legs, and the injury bug became much more apparent. Each team took its shots from set pieces and off fouls, but neither side could break the tie, and the game headed to a penalty shootout.

The penalties went back and forth with each team scoring two and missing one. Following a Mustangs miss in the fourth penalty spot, the door was opened for the Tribunes to seize an unlikely victory.

In the fourth penalty spot for the Tribunes, a cool Olivia Paterniti (Alleghany, NY) stepped up to the spot and put a quality strike into the back of the net, taking the lead in the shoot-out with the win in grasp. On the brink of elimination, Mustangs Maiko Kikuchi finished her penalty, forcing the pressure on Tribune Maddalena Gallon (Pieve Di Soligo, Italy) to win the game for MCC.

With all eyes on the spot, the pressure of a season on the brink, and a chance to make history, Gallon was all business walking up to the ball with the win on her mind. As cool as can be, Gallon struck the ball past the keeper and gave the Tribunes at least one more game in the 2024 season. 

The Lady Tribs lived up to the billing on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the usual suspects showed up with Cipolla and Baca both scoring in critical moments. The center midfield, held down by the likes of Saffron Millar (Wanaka, New Zealand), Manou Van Gils (Tilburg, Netherlands), and Mathilda Hellmich (Cologne, Germany), allowed the strikers to be dynamic. Defensively, Paterniti, Billman, and Chyene Whitcomb (Rochester, NY), were disruptive in the back end, stopping the attacks from the Mustangs. Finally, Boesel was clinical in the net, saving 10 of the 12 shots on goal, and providing the Lady Tribs with more freedom to play loose. 

It was an entertaining and satisfying victory for Tribunes. They showed their heart and skill throughout the match and had what it took to pull out the win. With this win, the Tribunes advance to the NJCAA East District Finals against Harford Community College. 

NEXT UP: NJCAA East District Finals vs. Harford Community College | 11/8/24 (TBA) | Harford Sports Complex (Bel Air, MD)