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Amity, Shelton fit to be tied
WOODBRIDGE – An early-season SCC girls soccer showdown between Amity and defending league champion Shelton figured to be intense, competitive and dramatic.
It was all that – and then some.
Sophomore Isabella Bierezowiec beat a Shelton defender and then capitalized on an empty net in the 66th minute for the game-tying goal Wednesday afternoon as Amity rallied for a 1-1 tie to stay unbeaten in 2011.
“It was such a relief when I tapped it in,” Bierezowiec said. “This was a tough game, we were working as hard as we could and I guess both teams wanted it pretty bad.”
A physical contest that featured double-digit fouls by both sides remained scoreless until the 59th minute when Megan Burke was taken down in the box, setting the stage for a converted penalty kick by senior Jessica Hartmayer.
“I knew I had to convert it and I just kicked it as hard as I could,” Hartmayer said. “Both teams played well and had their opportunities.”
The Gaels (2-1-1) outshot the Spartans 21-11, and doubled them up in shots on goal, 12-6.
But it was Amity that nearly took the first-half lead in the final minute when senior captain Tabitha Brown hit the post with a shot that walked across the line before finally being cleared. Junior Allison Maier, who helped the Spartans step up the pressure in the second half, blasted a shot off the side of the net minutes after the intermission.
Another player who rose to the occasion for Amity (2-0-2) was freshman keeper Zoie Reed, who finished with 11 saves. Junior Micaela Joyce stopped five shots for Shelton.
The Livecast game was streamed exclusively on MSGVarsity.com, and will be shown Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on MSG Varsity, iO Channel 14.
