Valley Sports ReportPOPLAR RIDGE — Junior Sophia Haney, and 8th-grader Grace Howey combined for all three goals — giving them 12 in the first two games — to lift Tioga to a 3-1 win over Southern Cayuga in IAC Small School girls soccer action here Friday afternoon.
“All-around, once again, we played like a team,” said first-year Tioga coach Emily Potter. “I couldn’t be more proud of these girls for pushing to the very last second.
“From our defense to midfielders to forwards,” added Potter. “We work as one, and the effort and strength and push these girls have is incredible.”
Howey, off a feed from senior Erica Bradley put Tioga on the board with 18:03 remaining in the first half.
About 6 1/2 minutes later, Haney scored an unassisted goal to make it 2-0.
Southern Cayuga closed the gap to 2-1 with 17:59 remaining in the contest.
Tioga had an opportunity for an insurance goal with about 10 minutes remaining, but missed on a penalty kick.
“We missed the penalty kick, but didn’t let that get to us,” said Potter.
Haney, off an assist from Howey, scored with 61 seconds remaining in the contest to seal the victory.
Tioga had a 19-17 edge in shots-on-goal, and Southern Cayuga had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Senior Taliah Speer recorded seven saves in net for the Tigers.
Tioga, now 2-0, returns to action Wednesday at Newfield.
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IN PHOTO: Tioga’s Sophia Haney. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.
