GUILDERLAND - The Guilderland girls soccer team got more than it expected Monday in a Section II Class AA first-round game with Amsterdam.
Tara Tiemann took advantage of confusion in the Lady Dutch defense to drill the ball into the net just over five minutes into the match for a 1-0 Amsterdam lead.
However, a relentless attack by eighth-seeded Guilderland broke through for the equalizer with 12:41 left in regulation before Kara Carmen lofted a cross that found its way into the side netting midway through the second 10-minute overtime period to advance Guilderland to the quarterfinals with the 2-1 victory.
"We saw the write up in the Times-Union about how they thought it was a treat, so we gave it everything we had," Amsterdam coach Jenna Hall said. "We didn't get blown out. I am happy with the way we played."
The Lady Rams got off to a fast start, immediately putting pressure on the Lady Dutch defenders.
Defender Angela Damiano sent a long ball from her defender spot that landed in the penalty area. Confusion between Guilderland goalkeeper Erin Kelly and her defense left the door open for Tiemann, who took advantage of the situation to gain control of the ball and drive it past Kelly for the goal.
"That is something we have not been able to capitalize on all year. Even against teams in the Big 10 we didn't score that quickly," Hall said.
The Suburban Council representative went on the attack but could not penetrate a hustling Amsterdam defense led by goalkeeper Janine Sajdak.
At the end of the opening half, Guilderland led in shots on goal 8-3 but trailed on the scoreboard 1-0.
The Lady Dutch were consistently turned away by the Amsterdam defense early in the second half and had their best attempt on goal rejected by Sajdak.
Five minutes into the second half, Angela Luizzi was on the receiving end of a long direct kick. She fired a 10-yard shot on goal that Sajdak made a one-handed, diving save on to keep Guilderland off the board.
"All year she has saved us," Hall said. "A lot of games she made key saves like that and I am never surprised by anything she does. I am very happy we had her back there this year."
The Lady Rams' defense continued to frustrate the Guilderland offense, until the 69th minute of play.
Marissa Cubillos broke free down the middle and headed home a corner kick with 12:41 left in regulation to tie the game at one.
Amsterdam (9-6-2) made a late-game surge against a drawn-up Guilderland defense. Damiano and Tiemann put attempts on goal in the closing minutes but Kelly was up to the task, making the stops to send the game into overtime.
The Lady Rams built on their late-game momentum and controlled the pace of the opening 10-minute period. Damiano fired a shot on goal that hit the outside of the netting with 5:10 left in the first session and Kelly raced off her line to cut down a potential threat from Caitlyn Czelusniak.
Kelly was again called on to stop a potential go-ahead goal in the opening minute of the second 10-minute period.
Damiano struck a hard-hit ball on net that Kelly punched over the top for the save.
Guilderland began to move the ball along the right sideline and with 5:26 left, Carmen lifted an attempt toward the far post that drifted over Sajdak's outstretched hand and into the far corner of the goal for that 2-1 advantage.
The Lady Dutch picked up their defensive pressure, keeping Amsterdam out of their defensive third of the field in the final minutes to secure the victory.
"We just have to learn to capitalize more on offense," Hall said. "We had a very strong defense this season and just some days our offense couldn't put it all together. [Guilderland] had two beautiful shots and got the win. They are a good team. Our girls gave it everything they had. I am happy with the way the played."
Guilderland outshot Amsterdam 17-5 for the match. Sajdak finished with 15 saves in net, while Kelly turned in four.
Guilderland (9-5-3 overall) advances to face top-seeded and defending sectional champion Bethlehem (15-1-0 overall) in the quarterfinal round Wednesday.
