Herkimer nets 2 goals in last 3 minutes to take 3-2 win vs Genesee CC

Herkimer, NY - In one of the most thrilling games in Wehrum Stadium history, the #5 ranked Herkimer Generals Women's Soccer team scored 2 goals in the last 3 minutes to stun the #10 Genesee Cougars on Tuesday afternoon by a score of 3-2. The win gives the Generals a 3 game winning streak and improves their record to 3-2 for the Spring season.

It was a back and forth affair that saw the Cougars take a 1-0 lead with 17 minutes left in the first half. They carried that lead all the way until Alexis Smith (Salisbury Center, NY) tied the match at 1 with a goal with 13 minutes left in the second half.

That set the scene for an incredible last 5 minutes of action between the two nationally ranked squads. 

After Genesee's Julia Ashworth gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead with 4:36 to go, Herkimer answered just 90 seconds later as Emma Bilinski (Dolgeville, NY) knotted the game at 2 with just 3:05 left.

Everyone was preparing for overtime before Hailey Traut (Frankfort, NY) fired a long shot on goal that rebounded to Kayla Suppa (Oneida, NY) who knocked in the game winner with just 19 seconds left in the game. Traut, the April Green and Gold Athlete of the Month for the Generals, assisted on all 3 Herkimer goals. Freshman Kurstin Gay (Herkimer, NY) made 10 saves for the Generals in goal to earn the win.

Coach Jason Palkovic commented after the dramatic contest: "Jeff (Head Coach at Genesee) always does a good job with his team which is why we have had some great battles and they make for some great soccer games. Today the ladies fought hard being down 1-0 with 13 minutes left never giving up to claim a 3-2 victory. This definitely one of the games I will remember forever and with the way the finish was to score 2 goals in three minutes with last coming at 19 seconds left. Just unbelievable and I’m extremely happy for the girls and our staff"

The win also locks up a berth for the Generals in the Region III Championship Game against #3 Mohawk Valley on Friday May 21st. The winner will earn the Region's automatic bid to the 2021 NJCAA Division III National Tournament, hosted by Union County College in New Jersey from June 2-5, while the losing team will have a strong case to earn an at large bid for the National Tournament. This will be a rematch of the April 9th contest at Wehrum Stadium, won by the Hawks by a score of 3-1. Game time and location for the May 21 Championship Game is still to be determined.