The Southridge Storm is going to get another shot at the Immaculata Mustangs for all the marbles in the provincial single-A girls soccer championship.
Morgan Muncey-Buckley made sure of that when she scored the overtime winner for the Storm 12 minutes into extra time to seal a 2-1 semifinal win over the Langley Christian Lightning Friday afternoon at Rotary Field.
Muncey-Buckley caught up to a long breakout pass from Storm captain Emily Schenk and headed the ball over the rushing defence and had nothing but net showing, finishing with a low shot into the empty cage.
"I'm glad we came back, we kind of lost it a bit in the middle and we got a big goal," said Schenk, whose short-staffed team was missing seven players who could not make the trip to Prince George.
"Morgan usually comes through. She's a big player for us. I'm excited to have another crack at Immaculata, it'll be good."
The Lightning came back right away with pressure on Storm goalie Fiona Firby, but her defence was right on top of the Langley forwards and prevented any further damage.
"It was quite the battle and they got one at the end and we couldn't respond, there wasn't enough time," said Lightning coach Anthony Togeretz. "We had some good chances and just couldn't quite finish. That was the best we played them all year. This is our best-ever finish for the school, a really proud accomplishment for sure."
Southridge finished off pool play Friday with a 2-1 win over Whistler to take a 3-0 record into the semifinal, while Langley Christian advanced with a 3-0 win over Fernie.
Laurel Judson gave the Lightning a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game, which lasted until late in the first half, when Teagen Johnston tied it for Southridge.
Immaculata has beaten Southridge in the provincial final in extra time two of the last three years. Muncey-Buckley, now a Grade 9 player, had a broken foot and didn't get to play in the final last year but she's ready for the Mustangs now. The final starts at 11 a.m.
"I'm excited, and a little nervous," she said.
In the other semifinal earlier Thursday afternoon, Immaculata beat Credo Christian of Langley 1-0 in a shootout. The Mustangs won their pool by defeating Glenlyon-Norfolk 2-1 Friday morning.
Langley Christian and Credo Christian face each other for bronze today at 10:45 a.m.
The Lakes District Lakers of Burns Lake will play St. Andrews for seventh place today at 10:45 a.m. The Lakers lost their final pool match 4-0 to Glenlyon-Norfolk but finished second in Pool D with two wins a loss and a tie.
The Fort St. James Falcons, who won the North Central zone title, dropped a 1-0 playoff decision Friday afternoon to Similkameen. The Falcons will need a win today in a 9 a.m. playoff against Osoyoos to finish 11th.
The other North Central zone team, the Northside North Stars of Vanderhoof, beat Nakusp 3-0 Friday and will play Queen Charlotte for 13th place today at 9 a.m.
