Bobcats tops Vikings, win Section VII Class C title
Oct. 30—CHAMPLAIN — It was a night where nothing could go wrong for Northern Adirondack.
The Bobcats blanked the Vikings of Moriah, 2-0, to claim the Section VII Class C girls soccer title.
"I know how bad we all wanted this game," NAC's Alexis McDonald said. "So we all just had to step up and make sure that we were first to the ball every time.
"They have a great goalie that runs it super fast and we were mostly to every first ball and we just got it up the field every chance we got. We all wanted it so bad so we just had to play our game and we knew we could do it."
McDonald was the difference maker on defense as she tracked Moriah's Amelia Kazlo everywhere she went.
Kazlo's touches were limited as McDonald routinely beat her to the ball or got the ball away from Kazlo's feet.
"She didn't care," Bobcats head coach Jason Seguin said. "She could care less about the ball.
"She just had to just not get away from her. It's all she had to do and she did an outstanding job."
McDonald wouldn't take all the credit as she said the entire team made an effort to keep the ball away from Moriah's all-time points leader.
"She's a tough player," McDonald said. "It was not easy, but we made it happen. We all made it happen."
While McDonald keyed on Kazlo, the Bobcats did what they could to defeat the Vikings for the first time this year.
In the previous two meetings, Moriah won 3-0 in both games.
"When we get down we usually play down so just scoring and being there for the first goal and working really hard," NAC's Ashlyn Seguin said. "That we put that goal in it just just helped us push forward."
It didn't take long for the Bobcats to change the outcome. Emily Hatch sent the ball forward allowing Seguin to beat the defender, sending the ball into the top corner of the net.
"I just saw the ball coming and shielded the girl and put it in the top left corner with my left foot," Seguin said. "It felt really good."
Once NAC took the lead, they looked like the better team as they didn't allow Moriah to get comfortable or get many shots on net.
The Bobcats had a 7-6 advantage in shots.
When Seguin and Hatch connected again, late in the first half, it felt as if the game was over. This time Seguin repaid her teammate to notch the insurance goal to push the lead to two.
"The girls played great," Jason Seguin said. "They came out to play. We've worked all week on, on defending, having quick, easy quick passes and taking shots until they achieve what they came out to do."
With the victory, NAC moves on to the regional semifinals where they will face St. Lawrence of Section X, Wednesday at Beekmantown. The game is slated for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
McDonald said it's the first time she's been a part of winning the section, since she's been on varsity. Taking in the scene, Friday she was excited for the next round.
"It feels great," she said. "I love seeing the green and yellow and I love hearing the cheering.
"It's just awesome to be able to know people support us and we knew we could do it with all the support."
—
Northern Adirondack 2, Moriah 0
NAC 2 0 — 2
MCS 0 0 — 0
1st Half- 1. NAC, Seguin (Hatch), 4:20. 2. NAC, Hatch (Seguin), 35:55
Shots- NAC, 7-6
Saves- Gilmore, NAC, 5. Gaddor, MCS, 5
