OT goal lifts Mendon to Section V title in battle of Pittsford field hockey teams

The pressure Pittsford Mendon's field hockey team faced from Pittsford Sutherland after halftime of the Section V Class B/C Tournament final was steady, just like the rainfall over Irondequoit.

Yet, unlike any paper that became wet Monday night, the Mendon Vikings remained firm enough to do the job.

A goal in the second overtime period by Ava Rice ended the sectional championship game in a flash and gave the Vikings a 2-1 win over Sutherland.

This sectional final seems to be a matchup of the two teams in the Pittsford school district every year. Sutherland (13-4-1) came out on top last season. The Mendon Vikings (16-1-1) are Section V champions for the first time since 2021.

"We weren't surprised that we saw them in the final, we weren't surprised that it was a close game," Mendon coach Kara Carpenter said.

Pittsford Mendon vs Pittsford Sutherland: Player of the game

Pittsford Mendon goalie Morgan Parrinello, a senior who faced the possibility of playing her final high school game once the postseason began, made eight saves.

Play of the game

The game-winning goal scored by Mendon forward Ava Rice, who had room to move toward the box and end the game with 36.8 seconds remaining in the second 10-minute overtime period, lifted Mendon to the title.

By the numbers

8:25 - Time remaining in the first quarter when Saara Fazili gave the Mendon Vikings a 1-0 lead during a penalty corner.

4:31 - Time remaining in regulation when Sutherland sophomore Melody Queri scored, and eventually gave the Knights a chance to win in overtime.

2 - Number of wins by the Vikings over Pittsford Sutherland in three meetings this season.

More: Section V field hockey scores for the 2023 season

They said it

"This is my second (sectional championship team), last year was the first loss in a sectional final. It feels amazing to come back strong and win it, not only for myself but for the other girls. It was a big team effort." - Pittsford Mendon goalie Morgan Parrinello.

"Out of nowhere, I just saw the ball and just threw it in. Everything was going on." Pittsford Mendon sophomore Ava Rice said about scoring the game-winning goal with time winding down in a tense game.

"It was a very anxious moment for me, but I knew I needed to just have the ball on my stick and be strong." Pittsford Mendon senior forward Saara Fazili said during her description of how she scored the team's first goal.

"Last year was really devastating, seeing the seniors lose their last game. It was really hard to watch. I just knew that for my senior year, I had to play my absolute hard, to give it my all for the team." Fazili said after the win gave the Vikings a sectional title and extended her and other seniors' seasons.

"Yes, definitely (Sutherland was putting on pressure after the half). They are a phenomenal team, they're super-talented, they've got great players and you can tell that they really wanted it. At the end, it came down to one shot, one goal. It could've went either way, but we finished in the end." - Pittsford Mendon goalie Morgan Parrinello.

What's next for Pittsford Mendon

Pittsford Mendon advanced into the Class B state tournament regional, noon on November 4 at Webster Thomas. The Vikings will face the Section VI or Buffalo region champion, either Iroquois (15-3) or Starpoint (12-6).

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Pittsford Mendon beats Sutherland in Section V field hockey championship