North beats Lancaster in sudden death

Williamsville North's boys soccer team came into the Section VI Class AA tournament as the No. 1 seed with its highest power point rating as well as being the top team in New York State. But it would take sudden death overtime for the Spartans to win its quarterfinal home game with Lancaster last Friday, 3-2.

The Spartans opened the scoring against the Redskins about 15 minutes into the game when Sean Durfee ripped a shot about 20 yards out past the keeper. The Spartans would hold the 1-0 lead until about eight minutes left in the game.

Lancaster was awarded a penalty kick which they capitalized on to even the score at 1-1.

About a minute later, the Spartans drove down the field and Daric Will headed in the go-ahead goal with about four minutes left. Then the unthinkable happened as the referee awarded Lancaster another penalty kick on a controversial call with about three minutes left in the game to give Lancaster the opportunity to tie the game. Lancaster was able to finish the penalty kick and even the game at 2-2.

The game was forced into sudden death overtime. Yet, the Spartans were able to stay focused and calm under the pressure as they continued to put pressure on the Lancaster defense. About two minutes in, Lars Woosidilo buried a low hard shot past the keeper for the game-winning and season saving goal.

North earned its No. 1 ranking in New York State after a long, tough season schedule and going undefeated the entire season with a record of 16-0-2.

It was the first time a North boys soccer team played its entire regular season undefeated. The Spartans tied Clarence (12th in New York State), 1-1 and Williamsville East (ranked third in the state), 0-0, for its only non-victories this year.

North hosts fourth-seed Kenmore West at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday in a semifinal game.