While the Lady Wolverines were crowned champions, so were the Frewsburg Lady Bears, in Saturday’s Section VI, Class C girls soccer championship game at Eden High School. Through 110 minutes of play in frigid temperatures, with constant rainfall that turned to hail, and later snow, Section VI’s co-champion to advance forward in the bracket was determined by penalty kicks.

Finally, after nearly three hours of play, with players, coaches and ball-runners trembling from the nearly unbearable conditions, the 10th penalty kicker from Frewsburg, senior Amanda Dilts, connected on the deciding penalty kick to win the shoot-off 8-7 and move on to play the Far West Regional game next Saturday as Section VI’s representative.

The conditions clearly and obviously played a factor into the way the game turned out. What was a 1-0 battle in favor of Westfield/Brocton in each of the two contests between the top two teams in the CCAA Central division during the regular season devolved into a game where both teams did everything they could just to stay out on the field.

During an injury stoppage in overtime, Westfield/Brocton coach Neil Huber asked the referees why the game was not postponed, after having to sub out another player who fell victim to the elements. The referees checked the wind chill, but determined it did not qualify for postponement by Section VI’s handbook. Upon the news that the game would continue, players from both sides were visibly crushed, but each side went back to battling for the blue patch they so desperately craved.

Westfield/Brocton’s Makena Barresi possesses the ball during Saturday’s game. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

After the conclusion of regulation, two 10-minute overtime periods and two 5-minute sudden death overtime periods, both teams received the news that Section VI would crown both teams as co-champions. The penalty kicks to follow were to determine which team would move on.

Oh, and after a round of five kickers each, that remained tied, too.

In the shootout, the Lady Wolverines saw five straight kicks hit the back of the net. Sheala Barresi, Laura Johnston, Haleigh Dellow, Katie Bodenmiller and goalkeeper Angel Busch scored in order for the Lady Wolverines. However, Frewsburg was just as good, cashing in on all five attempts. The shootout went into a second round, featuring five new kickers. Through four kicks apiece, the score was tied 2-2 in the round and 7-7 overall. It came down to the 10th kicker for each side, and while Westfield/Brocton’s kick went high, Frewsburg’s kick sent the Lady Bears on to the Far West Regional.

Despite the bitter ending to a day that was just as painful physically as it was emotionally because of what should have been considered unplayable conditions, the Lady Wolverines still made their preseason aspirations come true. While 110 minutes of action didn’t feature a goal on the field, the true goal of the Lady Wolverines this season was to win a blue patch and to hold the Section VI Championship banner.

“I’m proud of my girls,” said Coach Huber on his way off the field.

Westfield/Brocton coach Neil Huber and the Lady Wolverines watch from the sidelines through hostile weather conditions during Saturday’s game. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

Saturday night, the Lady Wolverines made plenty of people proud, as they played with the heart of a champion throughout the contest. Though there was another equally deserving champion sharing the field Saturday night, the Lady Wolverines were every bit worthy of a Sectional title. The blue patch they proudly held after the game matched their blue, rain-soaked Westfield/Brocton jerseys pretty well.

Twitter: @bradencarmen

Westfield/Brocton’s Laura Johnston (right) wins possession of the ball during Saturday’s game. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.

The Westfield/Brocton Lady Wolverines take the field for the Section VI, Class C girls soccer championship game against the Frewsburg Lady Bears, Saturday, at Eden High School. OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen.