CHAMPLAIN — Molly Roush, just back from a bout with the flu, scored eight minutes into the second half Monday to send Northeastern Clinton on to a 1-0 victory over Peru in a Section VII Class B girls' quarterfinal game in soccer.
Northeastern Clinton, like many schools in the North Country, have struggled with injuries and illness of late. The Cougars were on their heels the first half as Peru applied good pressure.
"Peru dominated the first half and Ayisha (keeper Loya) really kept us in it," NCCS Coach Josie Gilroy said.
"Both teams had a few chances, but no one capitalized. A lot of the game was played in the midfield."
The Cougars (11-6) got their best opportunity early in the second half. Mary Elizabeth Franke got control of the ball and sent a through pass out to Roush on the left side, 15 yards out. Roush let go with a high shot that just made inside the far post at 8:43.
Peru held an 11-6 edge in shots with Loya credited with nine saves and Peru's Morgan Flynn stopping four.
Katrina Garrand was strong on defense for Northeastern Clinton with Franke stellar in the midfield and Roush solid up front.
"It's been a struggle lately. We haven't had a full team at practice in weeks, with the flu and injuries," Gilroy added.
Stephanie Omlin was outstanding on defense for Peru (9-6-2) while Elizabeth Uliva and Megan Black were standouts in the midfield.
Northeastern Clinton will meet Beekmantown (14-2) Wednesday in the 5 p.m. semifinal at Saranac.
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Northeastern Clinton 1, Peru 0
Peru00—0
No. Clinton01—1
Second half- 1, NCCS, Roush (Franke), 8:43.
Shots: NCCS, 6; Peru, 11.
Saves: Loya, NCCS, 9; Flynn, P, 4.
AuSable Valley 1
Saranac 0
CLINTONVILLE — Sidney Flint was all over the field for AuSable Valley Monday night.
The Patriots (11-4-2) now hope the versatile junior will be on the field Wednesday when they take on Plattsburgh High in the semifinals of the Section VII Class B girls' soccer playoffs. Game time is 7 p.m. in Saranac.
Flint's status was up in the air after she injured a knee in a collision with Saranac goalkeeper Kaitlyn Wood midway through the second half of Monday's quarterfinal game. The two collided in front of the net while going for a loose ball. Flint got to it first and pushed it into the net for the only score as AuSable Valley won 1-0. Johanna Recny set up the goal with a pass into the middle.
"They hit pretty hard; neither player went back in," AuSable Valley Coach Keith Raines said. "It looked to be a shin injury with Kaitlyn; Sidney hyperextended her knee pretty good.
"She (Flint) is a good force for us. I sure hope she'll be ready on Wednesday."
Flint, who started at sweeper, was moved to the front line to spark the offense. She is AuSable Valley's leading scorer with 14 goals.
"Overall, it was a good team for us, especially after the (5-0) loss to Beekmantown last week," Raines related. "With the flu, we didn't really have a good practice all week.
"Shiloh Bourgeois and Michelle Taylor played great tonight as marking backs on (Robbie) Bailey and (Megan) Bowman. And Amanda Hamilton played well at sweeper."
Jackie and Molly Bowen were standouts in the midfield for Saranac (9-8).
"They battled hard with our midfielders," Raines added.
Saranac nearly tied it with four minutes to play, but Megan Bowman's shot sailed just over the net.
Jena Finnegan came up with four saves for the shutout while Wood and Stephanie Linder combined for seven.
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AuSable Valley 1, Saranac 0
Saranac00—0
AuSable Valley01—1
Second half- 1, AVC, Flint (Recny), 22:00.
Shots: AVC, 8; Saranac, 7.
Saves: Finnegan, AVC, 4; Wood and Linder, Sar, 7.
