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Girls Soccer: Monarchs, Clippers draw in League VII opener

Bishop McGann-Mercy soccer player Siobhan Merrill 090816

After playing more than 90 minutes of regulation and overtime of scoreless soccer, the Southold/Greenport and Bishop McGann-Mercy high school girls teams struck for goals less than three minutes apart Thursday.

The result was a 1-1 draw in the Suffolk County League VII opener for both teams in Southold.

The Clippers (1-2, 0-0-1) had taken the lead on Lucie Showalter’s goal, which was put home in a scramble with 7 minutes, 13 seconds left in the second overtime.

The Monarchs (1-0-1, 0-0-1) equalized with 4:17 remaining on Siobhan Merrill’s goal. Merrill tallied in a scramble in the penalty area after Maddie Joinnides’ corner kick was knocked around by both teams.

It was Joinnides who scored the game-winning goal with eight seconds remaining in the 2015 regular-season finale for both teams, a result that sent the Monarchs into the Class B playoffs and eliminated the Clippers from contention.

With 42 seconds remaining in the first overtime, Merrill almost gave the Monarchs the lead as her shot from distance hit the upper left corner of the goal as goalkeeper Hayley Brigham tipped away the ball.

While both sides tried to attack, the game turned a fierce defensive battle as Mercy and Southold found ways to deny the opposition, whether it was blocking shots, intercepting passes or solid play by Mercy goalkeeper Molly Tuthill and Brigham.

These two rivals will meet again at Mercy on Sept. 27.

Next on Southold’s schedule is a league encounter at Mattituck Saturday. Mercy will host Babylon on Saturday.

Photo caption: Bishop McGann-Mercy’s Siobhan Merrill, left, and Southold/Greenport’s Grace Syron in an aerial battle. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)