The Rochester girls soccer team came back to draw level with Aberdeen in the second half Thursday, but couldn’t get a game-winner in regulation or extra time, and ultimately fell in the shootout after a 2-2 tie.
“As a coach I hate the shootout, but I did praise the team for the effort that was put out,” Rochester coach Matt Ashton said. “They showed the toughness, grit and determination to get back in the game and gave everything they had.”
Rochester took the lead in the opening five minutes thanks to heavy pressure high up the field, which forced an own goal. Aberdeen responded quickly, though, leveling the score in the 10th minute and taking the lead in the 17th.
The score stood at 2-1 at the break, but the Warriors (3-3, 1-2 2A EvCo) didn’t take long to strike back in the second half, with Kailyn Black finding the back of the net on a corner kick in the 51st minute.
That would be all the scoring on the evening, with the final half hour going goalless and neither side finding a winner in golden-goal extra time.
Aberdeen hit each of its four attempts from the spot, winning when Rochester faltered with a second miss.
“I believe that we were the better team, but we just need to finish the job in regulation,” Ashton said.
Rochester will hit the road to Shelton next Tuesday.
