A season that saw Unatego's girls quadruple their win total from 2008 ended with a 1-0 soccer loss to host Elmira Notre Dame in a Section Four Class C semifinal Tuesday.
"It's one of the most cohesive teams I've had in a long time," coach Sue Herodes said of a third-seeded Spartans squad that followed a 4-9-2 season in 2008 by going 16-1-1. "It's been an oustanding season. I'll remember this one for a long time."
The second-seeded Crusaders (15-1) received a goal from Rachael Lamoreaux with 24 minutes, 29 seconds left. Lamoreaux beat two defenders on the left side and penetrated into the box before scoring on a 12-yard shot.
"(Goalie) Shelby (Beers) got a hand on it but couldn't re-direct enough," Herodes said.
The wind at its back in the first half, Elmira Notre Dame controlled play, Herodes said.
"They pretty much dominated play most of the first half," she said. "The second half, we had the wind and it was back and forth."
Herodes, whose team won the Midstate Athletic Conference title, added that the Spartans had two excellent chances in the final 10 minutes.
Stephanie Havens took a shot that Crusaders goalie Hannah Brackley partially saved. Herodes said the ball was basically on the goal line when an END defender cleared it.
Brackley made another save in the closing minutes.
"The ball was in the middle of the 6-yard box, but we couldn't get on it," Herodes said. "We had some runs down the field, some nice crosses but didn't get on them."
The key to Unatego's turnaround this season was its defense, Herodes said.
"The group really came together," she said. "We only allowed six goals scored against us until sectionals. They really understood what we were trying to do."
The Spartans had four freshman and two juniors in their starting lineup Tuesday.
"They learned a lot and we're quite young," she said. "But it's sad to see this one end."
END is 3-2 against Unatego in sectional games since 2003. Unatego beat the Crusaders, 2-1, in 2007, and 1-0 in 2005. The Spartans lost, 6-0, to END, in 2006, and 2-0 in the 2003 Class C final.
Elmira ND 1, Unatego 0
SECTION FOUR CLASS C
Semifinal
Unatego0 0 _ 0
Elmira ND0 1 _ 1
3-Unatego (16-1-1): None.
2-Elmira Notre Dame (15-1): Rachael Lamoreaux 1-0.
Shots-corner kicks: U 4-3; E 8-10.
Goalies: Shelby Beers (U) 6; Hannah Brackley (E) 4.
