HART — A last-minute penalty kick by Rilynn Porter, off an opportunity created by Natalie Rosema, proved to be the difference for Hart Wednesday night as the Pirates escaped Montague 5-4 in the district semifinals.
With the win, the Pirates advanced to face Fremont in the district finals Friday, a rematch of a game the Packers won 4-2 earlier this season.
The Pirates were awarded two PKs in the final five minutes of the game, both of which Porter cashed in. The first time, Montague responded with an equalizer within a minute, but the second time, there wasn’t enough clock left to do so again.
Rosema created the possibility of the PK by racing downfield with the ball in the final minute, furiously trying to get to the goal. As she approached the net and dealt with the battle with her pursuing Wildcat defender, she went down, setting up the whistle.
It was an anticlimactic ending to the game, but also a fairly fitting one, as Hart was relentless on the attack throughout the second half. If not for some remarkable saves by Wildcat keeper Sara Zorrilla, including one on a first-half penalty kick, Hart may not have needed to sweat so hard for the win.
“I think we created a lot more offensively,” Hart coach Joe Gilbert said. “We just couldn’t capitalize all the time, and credit to their keeper. She had an outstanding game and made some huge saves on very close shots and chances.”
It was Montague who had an early 2-0 lead before Hart got on the board late in the first half. Rilynn Porter took a free kick and sent a perfect ball to Zoily Sarabia, who one-touched it in for the goal.
Sarabia was the assister on the game-tying goal early in the second half, as her long shot rebounded right to Rosema for a score. Addison Barefoot then delivered on a well-executed corner kick to put the Pirates on top with 20:30 to play. The Pirates, noting they were able to create some offensive opportunities late in the half, went to a 3-5-2 formation, which it played much of last season, and produced even more attacking chances after the break.
“Get Rilynn outside to be a little more creative,” Gilbert said of the switch. “We thought we could get a few more chances from her down the wing.”
It appeared Hart would keep piling on, but Montague showed gumption and scored on a free kick. Porter’s first PK goal with 4:53 to go made it 4-3, but was answered by another Wildcat tally less than a minute later.
Amidst the whiplash of each team’s scoring, Sarabia went down with a rolled ankle and had to be helped from the field. Her status is uncertain for Friday’s final, though Gilbert said he was counting on “the magical powers of whatever” to help her heal quickly.
In her stead, Nevaeh Reyna provided a boost on offense and helped cover for the physical toll the game took on Hart stars Porter and Barefoot.
“Nevaeh coming in to create that and give us some pressure up there, something to threaten them, was huge,” Gilbert said.
While Fremont got the better of Hart earlier this season, the Pirates hope to recreate what happened in 2025, when they won the matchup by a 3-1 margin.
“It’s tough to beat a team twice. We found that out today,” Hart coach Joe Gilbert said, referring to the Pirates’ 3-2 regular season win over Montague. “I think Fremont’s going to have to be just as ready for us as we’re going to have to be ready for them.”
“We’re looking back at the game last year and how we were able to cause them problems, and so we’re getting something ready as best we can. It’s going to be a battle.”
