When Tamalpais and Redwood first faced off on Jan. 30, the Giants won, although they didn’t secure the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) regular season title, which Tamalpais eventually won due to goal differential. With a score of 2-1, as Redwood piled on both goals in the game’s final ten minutes, many knew that this was a foreshadowing for the MCAL finals.
As predicted, the Giants and the Hawks faced off for the pennant on Feb. 16. Immediately, it was clear that both teams would put everything they had on the field.
Through the first 20 minutes, both teams struggled to get any offense going, as both defenses did an efficient job keeping the ball in front of them. The Giants had their first real striking opportunity from sophomore Teagan McCormick, but it smashed off the right goal post, leading to an empty possession. The Hawks struggled to get anything going throughout the first half as Redwood sophomore keeper Evie Dickerson contained all corner kicks, ending with only one shot on goal. With the first half winding down, the Giants had a great opportunity when freshman forward Kaia Amir struck a great ball down the line for senior winger Sarah Farese with open space. Yet, the sideline referee blew the play dead on an offside before Farese had a touch.
Similar to the first half, the second half brought yet another physical period with limited shots and lockdown defense. But at the 45-minute mark, Farese had a chance to take the lead, striking it towards the right side of the goal but a stop from Tamalpais goalie Emily McMahon kept the score even.
Another factor that seemed to have its input on the game was the cold weather. Senior midfielder Evelyn Spiegel and senior defender Ava Walkeryee both had to be subbed out due to cramps and junior forward Caitlin Titcombe suffered a foot injury. With a shorthanded Giants squad mid-way through the second half, Tamalpais’s offense attempted to capitalize, gaining possession for most of the half, but still couldn’t break through.
With Walkeryee and Spiegel returning to the field as the final 15 minutes crept over the pitch, the Giants were filled with a sense of urgency. They pushed the ball forward, coming into corner kick after a corner kick. Their most successful attempt was a highball from McCormick into a Farese header, which Tamalpais’s goalie successfully cleared. As regular time wrapped up, the energy started to pick up between fans and players alike.
The first half of extra time was a battle for possession, as the ball seemed to be between mid-fielders most of the time. Neither team had a shot on goal, but Redwood and Tamalpais both had corner-kick opportunities. As the second half of extra time started, both teams gave it everything they had, pushing the ball into the box and trying to spark their offenses. With penalty kicks (PKs) creeping upon the teams, junior Sydney Middleton laced one towards Tamalpais’s goal, but a save from the keeper sent the game into a shoot-out.
As PKs began, both teams huddled together at midfield, eagerly watching their teammates attempt to steal the game. Tamalpais’s first two kickers capitalized on their opportunities whilst the Giants missed wide right and high. As defeat crept upon the Giants, McCormick, junior Cora Champommier and Addison Ryba all struck successfully on the back of two saves from Dickerson, sending Pks to sudden death. In sudden death, Dickerson attempted to gain the crowd back by waving her hands up into the air, causing the crowd noise to become apparent. Tamalpais harnessed this energy to their advantage, making three in a row. The Giants were right behind with kicks from Middleton and Farese. But needing a stop, McMahon came up with a huge save to end the game.
Next Wednesday, the girls will take on Miramonte at 3:00 p.m. in the first round of the North Coast section playoffs.
