HUNTINGTON — With just seconds left in a tied game, the Gateway Regional girls soccer team went for the victory and the decision paid off.
A Juliana Dickenson direct kick from the corner sailed into the goal box and found the head of Gabby Goralczyk, who netted the game-winner to give the Gators a 2-1 win over Hopkins Academy Monday night.
“I’ve been waiting for that my entire soccer career,” Goralczyk said of her game-winner. “But it was a team effort.”
Gateway coach Steve Estelle sent his whole team into the goal box to go for the win. Dickenson’s corners and direct kicks have been a major weapon for the Gators (10-2-3, 3-1 Pioneer South).
“At first I get nervous because I know I have to get it right to my teammate,” Dickenson said. “Coach tells me to breathe. I aim it right where I want it and when it gets there it’s a sigh of relief.”
Dickenson’s ball could not have been more perfect during the game-winning play. Dickenson plays defense for Gateway,
“We had to go for the win. We had to beat them to win the (league) championship,” Gateway coach Steve Estelle said. “It’s great to know I have a player who can get it past the keeper.”
Hopkins (10-2-2, 3-1-1) took the lead early in the second half on a goal by Samantha Fetler, who also headed the ball in off a corner kick.
Allison Jenks assisted for the Golden Hawks.
Gateway’s Jessica Van Heynigen tied the game with a rifle shot from the 18-yard line past Hopkins’ keeper Miranda Pitta.
Goralczyk assisted on Van Heynigen’s goal. Pitta’s aggressive style thwarted a scoring chance by Sam Belardo in a one-on-one situation early in the first half for the Gators, who had more scoring opportunities.
Midfielder Marykate Farnham stopped a potential Gateway goal for Hopkins with a block at the goal line in the first half. Also, right before the half, Van Heynigen sent a penalty kick over the crossbar.
“Gateway is such a strong team,” Hopkins coach Lyndsey Roberts said. “I was proud of my girls. But it’s the simple things that hurt us. Those mistakes where they get free kicks or penalty kicks. We lucked out in the first half. But luck only goes so far.”
Hopkins’ got two strong scoring chances in the first half by AJ Mitchell, whose nifty moves enabled her to get behind Gateway’s defense.
Gateway keeper Becca Herman made a diving stop on Mitchell’s second shot.
