MEDFORD — The West Salem High School girls soccer team didn’t let a steady rain stop it from making history on Saturday afternoon.
The top-seeded Panthers are going to prepare for a WIAA state tournament for the first time after scoring a 2-1 overtime victory over Waupaca in a Division 3 sectional final in Medford on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Sam Niemeier scored late in the second half to nullify a quick goal by the Comets in the second minute, and junior Emily Graham scored 9 minutes, 59 seconds into overtime to give West Salem (16-3-1) its fifth win in a row, first sectional championship and first berth in the state tournament.
The Panthers will await seeded for the tournament and play a semifinal at either 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Friday at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
Graham’s goal, West Salem coach Lionel Karyea said, had everyone on edge as the seconds ticked off the clock.
“She got the ball with 10 seconds left right on the 18 with three defenders on her,” he said. “She had the composure to know when she needed to shoot the ball.
“She dribbled around defenders as the time ticked down and could have shot earlier but knew she had to time to get a better shot. She didn’t get caught up in the minute and just drove to the goal.”
Junior goalkeeper Baylee Faucett made what Karyea estimated to be 10 to 12 shots and was under fire early.
“We weren’t ready,” Karyea said. “We came back late, but those first 20 minutes, they were on us, on us, on us.
“The girls did a really good job of stepping up to the occasion and just kept playing the game. It wasn’t our best game, but they stayed in the game and gave us a chance to win.”
Niemeier’s goal cam on a rebound off a shot first delivered by junior Addy Ferguson. That was in the 78th minute and gave the Panthers new life heading to extra time.
“They are so excited, and the coaching staff is so excited for them,” Karyea said. “It’s been a really, really good season for the girls, and it’s great for them to be the first West Salem team to go to the state tournament.”
