SCHENEVUS _ By all rights, Schenevus' girls soccer team should be 13-0 with 13 shutouts.
It took almost twice as many shots as defending co-Class D state champion Edmeston and dominated a vast majority of the second half.
But 20 or so seconds worth of brilliance from Panthers senior Kori Hamm sent the Dragons to a 2-1 Tri-Valley League loss Wednesday.
For the estimated 200 fans who braved the chilly autumn air, talk around the breakfast table this morning will most certainly revolve on a pair of did-she-really-do-that efforts by Hamm.
"It's a nice luxury to have," Edmeston coach Melanie Mumbulo said of Hamm, who scored 42 goals a season ago en route to Daily Star and co-Class D state Player of the Year honors. "Sometimes, it's vintage Kori and sometimes she pulls something out that we haven't seen before. She just keeps growing as a player."
In a preview of the Tri-Valley League crossover final to be contested at 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Hamm scored and assisted Ashley Harbison's goal against a Schenevus team that hadn't been scored upon through its first 12 games.
It came 24 hours after Hamm scored four goals in the Panthers' 4-2 victory over a Cherry Valley-Springfield squad whose lone losses before Tuesday came against Schenevus.
Hamm's goal came 11 minutes, 46 seconds before halftime and definitely fell into the "something we haven't seen before" category.
Edmeston goalie Susanna Johnson sent a punt to the right side near midfield. Hamm headed the ball forward and had two Schenevus players between her and the ball. She raced by both defenders and got to the ball about 30 yards out in the middle of the field on a semi-breakaway.
With a Schenevus player on her right hip, Hamm dribbled in while shielding the player and then took a 15-yard shot that sneaked inside the near post.
See EDMESTON on Page 15
"Susanna kicked it, I headed it," Hamm said of her 22nd goal this season. "Then I got by the defenders and put it in."
Nothing to it.
The statistics at halftime read five shots for Schenevus; four shots for Hamm.
Hamm's play four minutes into the second half might have bettered her goal.
She received a pass about 20 yards short of midfield on the right side. She beat an initial player to the sideline and then, with another Schenevus defender waiting for her near midfield, changed direction and headed toward the middle. Hamm then sent a diagonal throughball that hit teammate Ashley Harbison in stride 25 yards from the goal.
Dragons goalie Catherine Hernandez raced out to meet Harbison, who touched it to her right while eluding Hernandez and tapped a 10-yard shot into an open net. It made the score, 2-0, with 36:57 left.
"My defenders didn't do anything wrong," Schenevus coach Stephanie Banks said.
Thereafter, things tilted decidedly in the Dragons' favor.
They pressured relentlessly, outshooting the Panthers, 10-4, in the second half and 15-8 for the game.
Three of those shots came in rapid-fire succession with 27 1/2 minutes left. Johnson and Schenevus' Sierra Bentley converged on a loose ball in the box, about 12 yards from the goal. Johnson smothered Bentley's shot, but the ball squirted free as both players fell to the muddy field. Bentley had to be helped from the field following the play.
Amy Weber had a clear look at the goal from 15 yards, but her shot smashed off the crossbar. The rebound came out to Sarah Mellor, who shot over the goal.
"You just have to react when you're in that situation," said Johnson, a three-year starter in goal who finished with 10 saves.
The Dragons (12-1, 9-1), East Division champions for the first time since 2002, finally broke through with 21:02 left.
Jessica Bentley had possession 18 yards out in the left-middle of the field and sent a pinpoint pass toward the right post to Brina Herr. From a tough angle and on the run, Herr scored on an 8-yard shot to the far post.
One last challenge awaited Edmeston (10-3-1, 9-1-1).
With about five minutes left, Jayme Bentley drove a low, hard shot from the top of the 18-yard box that appeared to be headed for the left side of net. Johnson dived to her right and tipped the ball past the left post with her right hand.
"My face hurts from that," said Johnson, whose head hit the turf as she made the save.
Johnson said she expects a tough game a week from Saturday.
"I definitely do," she said of Edmeston's attempt to win third straight Tri-Valley League title. "Schenevus is always tough. Basketball, softball, it doesn't matter. They're going to come back strong and hopefully, we'll be ready."
Added Banks: "We played a great game. It just wasn't our game to finish, but we're looking forward to next Saturday."
Edmeston 2, Schenevus 1
Edmeston1 1 _ 2
Schenevus0 1 _ 1
Edmeston (10-3-1, 9-1-1): Kori Hamm 1-1, Ashley Harbison 1-0.
Schenevus (12-1, 9-1): Brina Herr 1-0, Jessica Bentley 0-1.
Shots-corner kicks: E 8-3; S 15-2.
Goalies: Susanna Johnson (E) 10; Catherine Hernandez (S) 2.
___
Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.
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