A resilient Vestal team faced its toughest opponent on the season Wednesday night. The Golden Bears held strong for 75 minutes but Somers punched in a game-winning goal with five minutes to play, taking down Vestal 2-1.

The Tuskers struck first in the first six minutes with Julia Arbelaez connecting on a goal, giving her team the 1-0 lead. 

"We knew it was going to be tough going in," Vestal head coach Gina Talbut said. "Even though they scored early, I wasn't as worried because I know the fight the girls have."

While Somers controlled possession to set up that goal, the Golden Bears reset and proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half. Halfway through the first frame, Ava Schmidt scored to equalize the match. 

"She just always comes through," Talbut said. "She's such a positive force on the field too."

A snowglobe-like setting underscored the second-half kickoff. The precipitation throughout the night made an impact on the play of both teams.

"They're kids. They handled it the best they can," Talbut said. "You don't really prepare for weather like this. You just deal with it as it comes." 

Somers leveled up its pressure in the second half. Vestal found very few opportunities to score in the final frame with the Tuskers keeping the ball in their offensive half. 

Five minutes remained and Somers' pressure paid off. Tiana Righetti found a crack in the Golden Bears' defense and punched in the game-winning goal. 

"We were a little tired," Talbut said. "We were getting the ball pushed on our throats."

The Tuskers move on to a regional match later this week. Vestal finishes its season 16-2 with its thirteenth straight sectional title. 

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PHOTOS BY ANTHONY GOSS