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Big Red girls eliminated by Dover for third time in last four years

LOOKING FOR ROOM — Steubenville’s Michaela Brancazio plays the ball while Dover’s Natalie Baker, left, and Grace Castricone defend on Thursday. (Photo by Joe Catullo)

STEUBENVILLE — When the draw for the Ohio girls soccer tournament was released a few weeks back, Dover got what it wanted, another shot at Steubenville.

Big Red defeated the Tornadoes by two goals earlier this year. However, Dover owns Big Red in sectional action in recent years.

“When we knew we had the opportunity to play them again, it was a game we felt confident about and knew it was a great chance to get the victory,” Dover head coach Angie Pinion said.

After two scoreless halves, the Division II, Region 7 sectional final concluded with 11:27 remaining in overtime. Dover’s Grace Castricone, who missed the loss to Big Red due to an illness, nailed the only goal of the night over Zoe Nocera’s fingertips for the 1-0 victory at Harding Stadium.

It is the third time in the last four years Dover captured a sectional championship against Big Red.

“There was nothing Zoe could do about it,” Steubenville coach Jared Robinson said. “The girl got a good touch on it, got a wide open shot and finished it. It was just out of our keeper’s hand.

“The game was what we thought it would be. It was a battle between two evenly played teams. It was back and forth for 80-plus minutes. It just wasn’t our night.”

Big Red (11-5-1) and Dover (7-8-1) had multiple opportunities throughout the chilly night. But, Steubenville missed on three crucial chances in the second half.

The first — and arguably most important — came with 25:30 left. Sophomore Mary Marshall’s penalty kick faded left but found Drew Palmatier’s hands.

“With what we thought was a questionable call on our end, we could have easily gotten down if that goal went in,” Pinion said. “That big save woke up the team. They knew they were still in it.”

The second occurred with just more than 12 minutes remaining. Marshall and Palmatier collided, and freshman Libby Saccoccia was in perfect position. Her shot, though, was too strong.

The third and final opportunity came with a little more than two minutes before overtime. A cross pass from one end of the goal post to the other just missed Marshall’s body.

Big Red also had a free kick with less than 10 seconds, but time ran out before the ball could be placed at the 40-yard line.

“It could have changed the whole complexion,” Robinson said regarding the missed PK. “You could sit here and say would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. Both teams had opportunities in those 80 minutes.

“We’re not going to hang our hats on that missed PK. We’re going to hang our hats on the fact that we came out here and represented Big Red to the fullest. We gave a full effort. The ball just didn’t bounce our way, unfortunately.”

Nocera was Big Red’s star, making nine saves in goal. None of them were easy.

Dover’s Palmatier made six saves in goal for Dover. Most of her saves were not easy, either.

The Tornadoes set a school record for shutouts in a season, with all seven of their victories coming that way.

“We’ve been a good defensive team all year,” Pinion said. “We’ve had hard times scoring. We know we have a quality team. Any game we’ve scored in, we’ve won. Four games we lost 1-0. Pretty much we get shut out or we shut them out.”

While Dover moves on, Big Red, who was the fifth seed in the tournament, said goodbye to eight seniors. They are Emma Black, Stef-Mikel Blackburn, Michaela Brancazio, Makayla Crownover, Gabrielle Lulla, Haelee Jenkins, Jordan Sarjeant and Jessie Starkweather.

“We’re going to miss them. They are a great class,” Robinson said. “They’ve given us four great years. They mean a lot to us and this program, and I hope they know that.

“I’m proud of these girls for what they accomplished this year. I’m proud of these girls for the effort they go out and play with. I’m proud of these girls for representing Big Red and putting their all into the sport that they love. Nothing can take that away from them.”

Ninth-seeded Dover, on the other hand, advances to the district tournament. It will face fourth-seeded Indian Creek on Monday. The Redskins defeated Philo, 3-0, on Thursday.

“Just looking at their record, we know they split with Steubenville,” Pinion said on Indian Creek. “We’re expecting another physical game. It’ll probably be another 1-0 or 2-0 game. They look like they may have had trouble scoring sometimes this year. I think it’ll be an evenly played game.”

GAME NOTES

¯ Monday’s location has yet to be determined. If Big Red would have won, the game would’ve taken place at Harrison Central. It still could occur there.

¯ The Tornadoes defeated Big Red in Dover two years ago for the sectional crown. The year before that, Dover won in a shootout at Harding Stadium.

¯ Thursday’s contest began at 6:30 p.m., a half hour later than intended. One of the officials from the Philo-Indian Creek game had to drive to Harding Stadium when it concluded.

(Catullo can be reached at jcatullo@heraldstaronline.com. For local sports updates, follow us on Twitter @HSDTsports.)

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