For almost 100 minutes, two evenly-matched soccer teams tried to claim an all important Schuylkill Girls’ Soccer League victory.

The stakes were high, and for Jim Thorpe it was definitely a winner take-all moment. The kind you dream of as a player. The kind that creates ulcers for coaches, and heartburn for the losers.

It seemed like a scoreless tie between two of the top teams in the league was going to become reality.

The clock was ticking down the final beats in the second overtime, and the siren was ready to boom into the crisp autumn night signaling the end of play.

But out of nowhere, things suddenly changed as the Olympians’ Mackenzie Yuhas and Alexia Marotto combined to create an incredible finish.

With less than a second showing on the scoreboard clock, Marotto came through in the clutch, taking a long throw in from Yuhas and blasting it into the net for a 1-0 Olympian victory.

As dramatic as the goal was, it wasn’t clear who had scored it initially.

During a wild victory celebration on the field, Yuhas was asked who put the ball in the net ... “She did,” screamed Yuhas at the midfield pointing to Marotto.

To which the elated Marotto said, “the right place at the right time.”

“The ball was placedperfectly put at my feet. You couldn’t ask for a better assist from Mackenzie,” continued Marotto. “It really was a great pass and great timing. I am ecstatic.”

Yuhas said she knew time was of the essence as she prepared to throw the ball into play.

“A lot of thoughts went through my head,” Yuhas said. “I just knew I had to get the ball in play as quickly as I could and throw it as far as I could .… I was really nervous.”

The Olympians’ late goal was not only dramatic, but also extremely important.

If the game had ended in a tie, Pottsville would have captured the Division 1 title, and Thorpe would have been forced to scramble for the wild card berth in next week’s four-team league playoff tournament.

Now all that remains is for Thorpe to beat North Schuylkill this afternoon on the road and it wins the division title.

“You never give up; that was our third or fourth double overtime game,” said Jim Thorpe coach Tom Condly. “The first time we played them, we lost when they scored with 4.9 left in double overtime. We were devastated.”

This time, Thorpe got revenge in what was a nearly identical finish.

But the Olympians’ victory probably wouldn’t have happened without the play superb junior goalkeeper Olivia Rosenberger, who withstood pressure all night long, warding off shots, cutting off lanes and playing nearly to perfection.

“We all recognize Olivia Rosenberger is something special,” Condly pointed out when asked about the teams overall play. “She’s had 13 shutouts; she’s given up three goals the whole season. She’s just a great spirit, and she’s so humble. She anticipates really well.”

HE SAID IT

… “The kids were talking about her the whole game. She’s special, and has a great personality,” said Condly about Rosenberger.

NAILBITER

.. Yuhas said she trimmed her nails for this game. because she had longer nails than usual due to homecoming. Yuhas had a tough time throwing the ball Monday and decided to trim them. She said it gave her a better grip of the ball, which turned out to be crucial on her throw in.

GIVE HER CREDIT

… Condly also praised Makayla Eberly, who as a ball retriever hustled to get the ball in play in the closing 10 seconds, which gave Yuhas enough time to make the throw and Marotto the time to score.