Then in the 11th minute, Southwestern capitalized on its first corner with Ellie Giltinan knocking home the first tally of the game and seizing the momentum for the remainder of the game as the Trojans ran to a 4-1 Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 victory.

“We had kind of a rough game on Saturday,” Southwestern head coach Derek Houser stated. “A little bit of a challenge, how are we going to bounce back, and they answered the call. I think it’s the best team effort that we’ve had that I can remember, just everybody contributing.”

While the Golden Cougars maintained the possession and pressure early, Southwestern found its best chance on a counterattack led by Kenzie Rogers jumping up from the backline and connecting with forwards Avery Johnson and Marlana Cresanti. The Trojans nearly scored as Cresanti found herself with the ball past the goalkeeper, but Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove defender Madilyn Seastrum made a block that forced the corner kick.

However, the Trojans still managed a goal moments later and it was clear a boost of confidence was injected into the team.

Southwestern’s Lucy Brown (2) attempts to shield Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove’s Madilyn Seastrum from the ball as Trojans goalkeeper Braya Beaver approaches during Monday’s CCAA Division 1 game at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

“Anytime a team is able to come out and get a quick goal to set the tone, it’s tough,” Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove head coach Brett Johnson said. “It’s really the first time that we’ve been down, so not really something that we’re super used to. We just didn’t bounce back like we know that we can, but next time it will be different.”

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove had opportunities to bring the score level in the first half and one of the best was in the 19th minute as Kylie Kress just missed her mark. Then early in the second half, Kress sent a cross for Sydnee Snow that led to a chaotic frenzy in the Southwestern box.

The Trojans made it no easy feat for the Golden Cougars to get a good look at goal, holding their ground defensively.

“They all played great,” Houser said about his defense. “Liv Goeckel played probably the game of her life, was fearless out there. Kait Rogers has always been meticulous in her details, Maddie (Troutman) was great. M’Kenzie Zavala had her wisdom teeth out on Thursday, wanted to play in this game, wanted to be there for her team and that’s just a gutsy performance. Those are the types of things you need if you’re going to succeed playing talented teams like them.”

Going against not only one of the top teams in the league, but in the section, the Trojans could not just rest on a 1-0 lead.

Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove’s Kenley Lincoln marks Southwestern’s Avery Johnson during Monday’s CCAA Division 1 girls soccer game at the Fran Sirianni Athletic Complex. P-J photo by Tim Frank

The breathing room came in the 52nd minute when Southwestern senior Avery Johnson showed what makes her special as she not only sped past two defenders, but outmuscled them on the way to a one-on-one with the keeper and fired home a perfectly placed shot on the right side of the net.

Johnson would do it again in the 76th minute, replicating the same speed and strength, but somehow improving on the shot as she ripped a left-foot chip bardown to seal the 4-1 win. Springing Johnson for the goals were Kenzie Rogers and then Makenna Johnson.

“She found that gear,” Houser said about Avery Johnson. “For a while she was kind of playing more of the distributor role and man the last few games she’s really gotten that scoring edge back. Her first goal, and that second goal is about as beautiful of a finish you can ask for. … You knew they were really going to work to take her and Marlana away and it just shows how much she wanted that game to push through and get the two.”

While Johnson’s first tally gave Southwestern some insurance, it was Giltinan that essentially secured the game. On another quick attack toward the Golden Cougars end, a long cross into the left side of the box found Giltinan’s foot and she punted high into the sky a shot that fell perfectly into the top right corner for an insurmountable 3-0 lead with 22 minutes left.

“Our defense played a great game, but they had some open looks and took advantage of them,” Johnson said. “When some of those goals are going in, it just isn’t our night. Ellyson (Baglia) played a good game back there but just a couple tough ones to stop.”

Despite being down three goals, Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove never quit and in the 62nd minute Mary Lundmark moved a ball up the wing for Kress and she finally was able to work in and fire home a goal.

“We know every matchup with Southwestern is going to be tough, especially in the rain,” Johnson added. “We battled as good as we could, tried to fight until the last minute, we were able to get one in there. But credit to our girls for fighting the whole time.”

That would be all the Golden Cougars (4-3-0, 4-1-0) could muster as Braya Beaver finished with seven saves in net and the Trojans (6-2-0, 5-0-0) secured an important league victory.

“It puts you in a nice position,” Houser said about the league standings. “But it’s a long season and you can blink and the fortunes can turn very quickly. There is a real good chance we’re seeing this team two more times and those are going to be absolute battles.”