Sophie Denson's first varsity goal sparks Commack to win in state Class AAA girls soccer semifinal
Commack celebrates after winning a state Class AAA semifinal in Dryden, N.Y., on Saturday. Credit: Jorge Marcano
CORTLAND — It was a moment that almost seemed scripted.
Senior captain Sophie Denson found the ball at her feet, and in the next instant, it was in the net. After four years, she had scored her first varsity goal, a strike that put Commack ahead just before halftime. That goal sparked a 3-0 victory over Lancaster in Commack’s first Class AAA girls soccer state semifinal.
“I honestly blanked in that moment,” Denson said. “But having all of my friends run up to me and support me, it meant everything.”
That goal came as a result of sophomore Breanna Mender’s corner kick with less than a minute and a half to go in the first half.
“I know she’s been wanting this for so long,” Mender said. “And it’s definitely well-deserved, especially in a game like this.”
After the break, Mender got a goal of her own off a pass from Junior Sarah Franke.
“The first goal really got us going,” Mender said. “I knew I had a goal in me, I really wanted to score.”
To cap off the 3-0 victory, sophomore Carly Pulcini scored from over 25 yards out.
“The fight these girls put up, you can’t match it,” coach Joseph Brandofino said. “This is the first time that the girls team has made it to the state semifinals, and now, we get to go to the finals; it’s unbelievable.”
Even with a 30-minute weather delay disrupting the first half - just after seven minutes of play - Commack stayed focused as they got back onto the field.
“We went back to the locker room and we stayed hyped up,” Mender said. “We were playing music, we were singing all together, and we really just kept our energy high.”
This win not only secured Commack’s spot in the final but also marked their ninth shutout of the season, highlighting a dominant defensive performance.
“Defense has been so important for us all season,” the defender said. “We all work really hard together and we communicate so well to stay marked up and tight.”
Commack (17-2-2) defeated Ithaca, 2-1, last Saturday in double overtime in the At-Large Regional Championships for the spot in the state tournament. They will face Section III’s Cicero-North Syracuse at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Homer High School for the Class AAA finals.
“This is just such an incredible achievement for the whole community,” Mender said. “Our families traveled to cheer us on, our school is cheering us on, and we’re ready.”
