TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 6/6/14
Staff Report

CORTLAND, N.Y. – Lexie Meager scored early in the third period of sudden death overtime today to lift West Genesee to a 10-9 victory over Pittsford in the New York Class A semifinals at SUNY Cortland.

The win advances the Wildcats (19-1) to the title game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Cortland vs. 21-0 Long Island champion West Islip, a 9-7 winner over Suffern.

Meager scored off a feed from Riley Donahue, who had won the draw control to start the third overtime period. Donahue had four assists.

Taylor Collins had three goals and Grace Osterdale added a pair for and Katherine Widrick made 10 saves West Genesee, which squandered an 8-4 lead.

“We should’ve had it won during regulation. But you know what? We played with heart,” said West Genesee coach Bob Elmer. “We kept playing. Our defense kept coming up with stops; stop after stop in that overtime.

“We hit the pipe a couple of times. We had chances to win there. You know what? We kept giving ourselves chances. Riley had a great feed at the end. Lexie made the right cut.”

Pittsford, down 8-4 at one point in the second half, tied the game at 8-8 when Kelsie Schindler scored off a feed from Allie Panara (three goals, two assists) with 1:55 left in regulation.

Pittsford struck first in overtime as Caroline Cullinan scored with 1:07 left. Hannah Elmer scored off a feed from Marisa Hudgins to tie it with 29 seconds left in the second overtime.

How did Pittsford (14-6) come back from an 8-4 deficit?

“You know what? Pittsford’s done that the last four games,” said Elmer. “They were down by three to Webster Thomas in the semifinal. And they won it in overtime. (Against) Penfield, they were down by four and they came back and won it.

“Pittsford has a lot of heart. They have some girls that play hard. They had chances. I’d feel distraught if I was them. I don’t think some of our kids played their best game today. Hopefully, we can get our legs back. That’s what I’m worried about over such a long game. Hopefully, we can get our legs back and feel good tomorrow.”

Class A semifinals
West Genesee 10, Pittsford 9

WG 6 2 1-0-1 -10
Pitt 4 4 1-0-0 -9

West Genesee: Taylor Collins 3-0, Grace Osterdale 2-0, Riley Donahue 1-4, Hannah Elmer 1-2, Cailyn Negus 1-0, Jackie Pardee 1-0, Lexie Meager 1-0, Mackenzie Baker 0-1, Marissa Hudgins 0-1

Pittsford – Allie Panara 3-2, Kelsie Schindler 3-0, Caroline Cullinan 2-0, Megan Plain1-0, Christine Molinari 0-1, Maddie Miller 0-1

Goalies
West Genesee: Katherine Widrick 10 saves
Pittsford: Molly Maguire 5 saves