Girls soccer: Packer finds golden goal for Davis in region rematch at Syracuse
Davis captain pushes Darts into Region 1's top spot
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- Syracuse sophomore McKenzie Hislop (29) and Davis senior Simone Packer (2) battle during a match Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Davis senior Brooklyn Phongsavath (7) plays in the ball during a road match vs. Syracuse Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse sophomore Jocee Eddy (6) pushes past a defender for possession during a home match vs. Davis Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse sophomore McKenzie Hislop (29) and Davis sophomore Samantha Maudsley (6) race toward the ball during a match Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse sophomore Eliza Cannon (15) plays the ball up during a home match vs. Davis Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
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- Syracuse junior Eva Christensen (4) passes to an open teammate during a home match vs. Davis Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Syracuse.
SYRACUSE — Davis and Syracuse can each claim road bragging rights.
But Davis might’ve stolen the more meaningful of the pair’s regular-season meetings with a 1-0, sudden-death victory Thursday over the Titans.
The win pushes the Darts (12-3, 7-1 Region 1) atop the region standings with a one-match advantage after Syracuse (12-3, 6-2) fell shy in a defensive standoff that stretched beyond 80 minutes and deep into extra time.
The match came down to a textbook free kick, played in by Brooklyn Phongsavath, that found Davis captain Simone Packer inside the box and past Syracuse goalkeeper Erin Bott seconds later.
The irony of such a finish is just how effective the Titans had been defensively throughout the match, specifically in flushing out similar looks and balls from the corner.
“We had so many opportunities, it was like ‘one of these has to go in,'” Packer said. “I just happened to be in the right spot at the right time and was able to finish. It’s such a relief because they’re a really good team.”
Packer recorded two of Davis’ three first shots, including a would-be score erased by a penalty charged to her teammate 14 minutes into the match.
A scoreless first half ended with Bott hauling in back-to-back saves, including a dangerous straightaway attempt by Davis junior Jaynie Barraza. Bott kept the net clean throughout the second half, thwarting another one-on-one battle and a 40-footer from Davis senior Hailey Curtis.
Syracuse, winning its previous meeting 4-3 in overtime on the Darts’ home pitch, knew the scouting report from front to back heading into the rematch with region implications, Titans head coach Jason Steiner said.
“They tried to push real high,” Steiner said. “We know who all their good players are and all we do is try to stop them. Last play we didn’t clear it and they make you pay.”
With chances to strike sparse, Syracuse looked to its defense late to push the match into extra time. Sophomore Talia Thompson, clearing a Packer free kick with five minutes to go, denied Davis’ last attempt at squeaking away in regulation.
Soon placed into traffic herself, Packer would find the golden goal amidst the chaos of a full box and just a few minutes before a second overtime period. The Darts senior’s score immediately sweetened the pot for Davis, which has just two region matches remaining (vs. Layton on Oct. 1 and Farmington on Oct. 3).
“It definitely boosts our confidence,” Packer said. “I know that was stressful going in but I know that we have, I think, two more games and getting one of those gives us a good chance at winning region. So I think we’re ready.”
Syracuse now must remain poised through the final two weeks with a road trip at Weber on Oct. 1 and a home finale vs. Fremont on Oct. 3. The Titans are still in contention for a region title with a Davis loss.
Steiner said that, no matter the circumstances, Syracuse will grow from Thursday’s loss heading into the postseason.
“We did that at their field, they did that at our field,” Steiner said. “That’s a good team, we’re a good team and we go forward — that’s all we can do.”
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.
