Mustangs edge Lions in JD quarterfinals

Erin Cersley has made her mark at Monticello year after year. The Troy-bound midfielder controls the center of the pitch and has the capability to score from anywhere.

Cersley did just that on Friday afternoon as the Mustangs (8-6-1, 6-5-1 JD) edged visiting Louisa County 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the Jefferson District tournament. Monticello surrendered the lead twice before they stepped up late to grab the win.

“This team has really surprised me,” said Monticello coach Jessie Lynn. “They had pretty good composure. We are a second-half team. That definitely showed today.”

Cersley scored twice on Friday, including game-winner four minutes from time to earn the victory, the Mustangs’ third over Louisa on the year.

“It wasn’t pretty soccer, but our team kept working hard,” she said. “We kept fighting through it. We work hard and came out with the win.”

Both teams managed to score in the first half of the game. Cersley struck first, placing the ball in the bottom left corner from just outside the box to put Monticello up.

Speedy Louisa forward Imani Callen tied it up with a breakaway goal where she proceeded to carefully touch the ball by the keeper into the corner.

Monticello controlled the ball for most of the game, but failed to get the vital pass into space to create decent opportunities.

The Mustangs managed to touch the ball with more precision shortly after the second half started as Tierney Bates got the ball and scored a beautiful goal from 23 yards out to put Monticello ahead. Bates made great contact with the ball, lifting it fairly high and past frozen Louisa goalkeeper Mary Wittenburg, who had no chance at stopping it.

Soon after, Callen scored on another breakaway, blazing past defenders and slotting home her second goal of the game.

In the game, Louisa had two clear chances and was able to take advantage of both.

Just as it looked like the game was headed to an extra time, Monticello’s Kira Dunnington sent in a cross from a free kick that went past several defenders and met Cersley at the perfect spot. The senior, standing in the middle of the box, made good contact with her head on the ball, and Wittenburg got a hand on the ball but couldn’t stop it.

“Kira set it up perfectly,” Cersley said. “I was just able to get a little flick on it.”

Dunnington and Cersley contributed as they have all year — something Monticello’s coach hopes for each game.

“Erin and Kira are who I rely on in every game,” Lynn said. “If they aren’t having a good game, then I know we aren’t going to do well.”

Both played well on Friday, leading the Mustangs into the next round.

The late goal sends Monticello to the semifinals on Tuesday at Fluvanna, where they will take on the winner of Friday’s matchup between the Flying Flucos and William Monroe.