IHC's crown B-utiful

CORTLAND — After five seasons as members of the Immaculate Heart Central girls' soccer team, Emily LaLone and Briana Guarino have finally secured their most coveted victory.

On Saturday, they helped the Cavaliers win a sectional championship — the team's first in Class B.

Katelynn Chamberlain connected for the winning score in the 103rd minute of the title game at SUNY Cortland to give the top-seeded Cavaliers a 2-1 overtime victory over No. 2 Lowville.

LaLone belted a free kick off the post two minutes in to sudden victory overtime, and Chamberlain was there to collect the rebound in front of an open net.

IHC (16-2-1) also got a goal from LaLone — assisted by Guarino — to advance to Tuesday's state quarterfinal against Section 2's Mechanicville.

Taylor Haenlin notched Lowville's only goal on a blistering direct kick in the 97th minute as the Red Raiders finished the year 15-3-1.

"We had great chances, they had great chances. I think it was we were just a little luckier," said coach Kurt Robbins, who guided IHC to Class C titles in 2002, '03 and '04.

"To get this is pretty special. Especially because Watertown has kicked us around in the league the past few years. Competing in the Bs has been tough."

Robbins said he was especially happy for LaLone and Guarino, each five-year starters.

But the senior pair expected they'd get this win years ago. They each grew up watching an era of dominance in which the Cavaliers won a state title and made another final four appearance. They took getting their turn for granted, but after beating Lowville for the 2004 sectional crown, IHC was bumped to Class B, and championship berths suddenly weren't so common.

"To be a part of this and to help lead the team to it is indescribable," LaLone said. "When we were younger we got so used to seeing the team win this. When we went to B we knew it would be tough."

Saturday's victory proved just as challenging to nail down.

Lowville keeper Adrean Tiffany turned away all five IHC shots on goal in the second half — several from point blank range — as the teams finished regulation scoreless.

Coach Leo Sammon moved Haenlin to midfield late in the match, and the change helped Lowville generate significant pressure late.

"We moved her back and started to control the middle more," Sammon said. "Our game is to get forward, get throw-ins and get restarts."

LaLone got the game's first goal a minute into overtime on a Guarino corner kick. She found a small hole in the defense, raced through it, and dented the net with a header.

"I saw it go over the keeper," LaLone said. "It was the most perfect ball Bri has ever hit."

Haenlin's score 15 minutes later gave the Red Raiders, who last won a sectional title in 1997, a chance to win, but they couldn't match Tuesday's comeback effort in which they erased a 3-0 deficit.

"These kids don't quit," Sammon said. "I had no doubt in my mind we could put some pressure on."

Chamberlain was taken down hard just outside the penalty area to set up the deciding sequence. Then she managed to move herself to the perfect spot as soon as LaLone struck the ball.

"I had faith we could get it done," she said. "It took me a second to react, and even realize it had gone in."