HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' SOCCER: ND TOPS SETON CATHOLIC TO ADVANCE IN SECTIONAL PLAYOFFS (24 PHOTOS) (2023-10-18)

Southern Tier Sports Report
SOUTHPORT — A goal by Leah O’Connell early in the second half proved to be the difference as Notre Dame opened play in the Section 4, Class C playoffs with a 2-1 win over Seton Catholic.

“I think throughout the year we have really done well keeping the ball and playing through the layers,” Notre Dame coach Joe Picco said. “It’s just when teams sit in on us, we have a difficult time in the final third. Their goalie was good, she took away everything from the outside.

Jhamairah Maxwell opened the scoring for Notre Dame with a first-half goal.

O’Connell scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half off a Maxwell assist to make it 2-0.

Seton Catholic scored a late goal in the final minutes.

“I thought we did better in the second half, we just need to be more tactical in the final third,” Picco said.

For the Crusaders the win means their season moves onto to another game.

“Games are decided in moments, if you lose focus in a moment, games change,” Picco said. “Getting the opportunity to keep playing, we have cultivated that culture since I’ve been here. We give the seniors more chances to keep playing.”

Notre Dame advances to face Unadilla Valley on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Unadilla Valley is the fourth-seed at 11-2. Notre Dame is the fifth seed, and with the win they are now 10-3.
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES.


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