WHITESBORO- Cooperstown girls soccer coach Lisa Cherubin could not have asked for two better games last week to introduce her young team to what sectional play is all about.

The first was a thrill-a-minute, sudden death victory over Herkimer last Friday in Cooperstown. In Monday's Section Three Class C-1 semifinal contest, the Redskins lost an equally well-played game while learning a valuable lesson at the same time.

Eight minutes into the game, Cooperstown sweeper Natalie Bowers was apparently fouled in the box. Cooperstown coach Lisa Ann Cherubin said virtually everyone stopped play, expecting a call.

But no foul was called and with Cooperstown's defensive guard down, Hannibal's Erin Axtell scored to give the Warriors a 1-0 victory over the defending Class C state co-champions.

"It was an obvious call, but at the same time you have to keep playing until the whistle blows," Cherubin said. "I was thrilled with the level of play we exhibited throughout the game, though, and this team will be back."

Top-seeded Cooperstown ended its season at 13-4-3. Fourth-seeded Hamilton (13-6) moved on to the C-1 final.

"The thing I loved about the Herkimer game Friday was we kept coming back," Cherubin said. "We had a tendency earlier in the year to get deflated when we fell behind, but we fought the entire game for that win."

But there was no comeback in Monday's game, as the Redskins missed a couple of good scoring opportunities early on breakaways, and Hannibal packed its end of the field with eight defenders in the goalkeeper box, making it difficult for the Redskins to get the late in the game.

"We still did everything right though," Cherubin said. "We were moving the ball around, we just didn't score.

Cooperstown outshot Hannibal, 18-6. Amy Kane made three saves for the Redskins. Connie Emmons stopped 10 shots for Hannibal.

Despite the loss, Cherubin said it was a successful season, considering nine players had graduated from the state championship team.

"They exceeded my expectations (this season)," she said. "I was hoping for a .500 record, to be honest. We lost so much and these kids hadn't really worked much together. With nine players lost to graduation, I think a lot of teams thought they would walk all over us this year but it didn't happen."

The Redskins will lose only Kane and midfielder Mia McChesney to graduation this season. The rest of the team should return intact.

"I think there will be good things to come," Cherubin said. "We'll be back."

Against Herkimer Friday, the Redskins trailed 2-0 late in the first half and 3-2 with just over five minutes remaining but a late goal headed in by Carolyn Clarvoe off a perfect cross from Stephanie Smith sent the game to overtime.

After battling through overtime with no goals being scored, the teams ended the first penalty kick still tied, and advanced to a sudden death penalty kick situation, which junior Kristen Hall won with a goal after Herkimer missed on its first attempt.

"She was always 100 percent in practice, so we had a lot of faith in her," Cherubin said. "The look on her face is what I will remember for a long time. It was a great moment of success for her."