HAMBURG — For about 12 minutes and 20 seconds — to be exact — the Lockport boys soccer Lions had hit their High Water Mark.
They were peaking at Hamburg’s Howe Field under the lights on a drizzly Wednesday night, shocking No. 2 Williamsville North with the opening goal in their AA semifinal contest.
It was a textbook tally by the Lions and their outstanding goal scorer senior Matt McCoy, who trapped a cross from the right side 8:13 into the first half, then drilled a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner to give the underdog Lions a 1-0 lead.
And for the next 12:20, the Lions never looked better and were out-playing their highly-touted foes.
But like all great teams do, the Williamsville North Spartans simply turned things up a notch and rallied to beat Lockport, 3-1, advancing to Saturday’s 7 p.m. Class AA title game against No. 1 Clarence (14-3-1) at Amherst High School.
“I was a little worried, but calm, because I know that we have the depth to bounce back like we eventually did,” said Spartans head coach Lee Ferenc.
Juniors Jonathan Cordero, Jason Harris and Matthew Nesper erased a 1-0 Lions first half lead that looked so promising at the onset as Will North improved to 15-3 overall. Top-seeded Clarence won Wednesday’s other semifinal, 1-0, over No. 5 Orchard Park.
Seeded third in the Section VI Class AA playoffs and ranked among the top 10 teams in Western New York consistently throughout 2009, Lockport finished a disappointing second in the Niagara Frontier League and felt collectively that they had fallen short of some important goals.
But rather than lament on what could have been, the Lions saved their best for last and charged into and through the sectional playoffs like a team out to prove something.
Lockport dominated the action for most of Wednesday’s contest, but couldn’t find the net for the most part as several shots came up just short, bouncing off the posts, while Spartans keeper sophomore Lucas Service got his team out of several close calls with big saves.
Cordero tied the game with 19:27 left in the first half with a blast to the lower left corner, beating Lions senior keeper Chris Paradise. Less than two minutes later, Harris converted from up close and Will North had a 2-1 lead at the half.
Ten minutes into the second half and Nesper booted in a rebound to round out the scoring as the Lions (14-5-1) never really find their groove again.
Lockport freshman Alex Reid and Service collided with 13:48 left in the game. Service suffered a minor leg injury and was replaced by junor J.J. Kuhn, who also played a strong game.
The Spartans and Red Devils have faced each other twice this season, splitting their games. Clarence won, 2-0, while Will North won the second meeting, 3-1.
“We just didn’t finish our chances,” said Lions head coach Jeff Hulshoff.
McCoy’s tally was the 77th and final goal of his varsity career. He finishes his Lions career as the second most prolific goals scorer in school history.
Sports
Related Photos
H.S. BOYS SOCCER: Lions soccer season ends
Williamsville North rebounds for 3-1 Class AA semifinal victory.
- Sports
-
-
McMahon strong arms Lockport
Junior Sarah McMahon pitched one of the best games of her varsity career on Friday, lifting No. 7 Williamsville North to an upset, 3-0, win over No. 2 Lockport in a Section VI Class AA softball quarterfinal contest.
-
Roy-Hart advances to B-2 baseball final with win over Wilson
A marathon 15-run third inning keyed No. 2-seeded Royalton-Hartland to a 21-4 victory over No. 6 Wilson on Friday in the Section VI Class B-2 semifinal baseball contest.
-
Devils advance to Stanley Cup Finals
Adam Henrique scored off a wild scramble in front at 1:03 into overtime and the New Jersey Devils defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to their first Stanley Cup finals since 2003.
-
Joe D's in the house
While “concussions” remain a high profile topic in the National Football League today, Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame offensive lineman Joe DeLamielleure said they were relatively unheard of when he played professional football.
-
Slow start, big finish
If someone asks you to describe the 2012 Lockport baseball Lions, just say, “slow start, big finish.”
-
LHS will take on Will North Friday in VI softball quarterfinal
The No. 2-seeded Lockport Lions found out Tuesday who they'll play at 4:45 p.m. Friday in a Section VI Class AA quarterfinal softball game.
-
Lockport's Weaver tops at Two Fly Challenge
Eleven-year-old Jake Weaver took first place recently in the youth division at the 13th Annual Ausable River Two Fly Challenge.
-
More games in Toronto
The NFL's International Committe approved the Buffalo Bills' plan to extend their series of games in Toronto on Tuesday and a new five-year agreement between the teams and Rogers Communications is expected to be finalized soon.
-
Batter up!
Outwater Park is the place for LHS baseball fans to be this afternoon, where the young, but talented Lockport Lions will host West Seneca West at 5 p.m. in a Section VI Class AA pre-quarterfinal playoff contest.
-
Sabres sign Sulzer to one-year deal
The Buffalo Sabres rewarded Alexander Sulzer on Monday, signing him to a one-year, $725,000 contract.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Police: 5-time Champ Johnny Tapia Found Dead
Native Americans' Olympic Medals Displayed in DC
Manning on Target at First Practice
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Relay Begins in England
Raw Video: Olympic Torch Passed to London
Selig: Oakland Move Might Be Considered
McNamee: Clemens, Canseco Had Steroids Talk
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
MLB: Mets Get 2013 All Star Game
Bernie Fine's Wife to Sue ESPN
Kyrie Irving Named NBA's Top Rookie
McNamee Says He Gave Clemens Steroids in 1998
Phelps Looks to Add to Medal Haul in London
Raw Video: McNamee Arrives at Clemens Trial
Bulls Bounced From Playoffs
Former NFL Star Junior Seau Found Dead
NFL Suspends 4 Players for Saints' Bounties
Reigning U.S. Champ Eying Olympic Gold in London
Knicks Fans Disappointed in Stoudemire
