The First Presbyterian Christian Academy girls’ soccer game against Monsignor Donovan Catholic School was delayed a few times by lightning and rain, but the game eventually did finish.

The teams squared off in the first round of the state playoffs Friday at St. James Field.

When all was said and done, the Lady Highlanders won 1-0 in double overtime.
“It was a very physical game,” coach Tom Sukaratana said, adding that there were a few minor collisions leading to scrapes and cuts.

Around the delays, the girls battled, but neither team was able to light up the scoreboard during regulation. Sukaratana said his girls managed to control the pace making 20 or more shots on goal to Monsignor’s 10 or so.

“We missed three-on-ones and we hit the goalpost, but their keeper was a tall athlete,” the coach said.
In the second overtime, Mary Katherine Whitney drove feverishly down field and knocked in the only goal of the match, keeping the Lady ’Landers’ season alive.

FPCA advances to round two and will play at 4 p.m. Friday against Deerfield-Windsor at Darton State College in Albany.

Sukaratana said Deerfield is a strong team and won its first-round game 5-2 over Atlanta Girls.