Nashua South's Soraya Ross has a few steps on the North defense during Thursday's Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadiium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – It was perhaps an overlooked detail, but not to those who know the game of soccer.

Nashua South’s Soraya Ross hustled downfield to pressure what looked like a certain Nashua North possession midway through the second sudden death overtime in Thursday’s girls soccer version of the Battle of the Bridge at Stellos Stadium.

Ross’s effort led to a South corner kick, and during the frenzy that followed Panther Ava Kopicko boomed a shot from the 20 yard line with 5:15 remaining that found the back of the net, high over the reach of Titans freshman keeper Nora Ross for a dramatic 1-0 South win.

“That’s the first thing I said to her, ‘That goal started with you,’ South coach Lauren Keating said, her team now 4-2-1. “Her pressure, not giving up.

“It was our second game in a row in double overtime. For them to come here and fight through that was incredible.”

“I just hit it as hard as I could,” Kopicko said, “and I was so happy when I did.”

Until then, no one was happy. Not North’s Brooke Lane, who had four free kicks during the contest but was unable to convert. Or her teammate Kaylee Moore, who hit the crossbar behind South keeper Abigail Finchum (four saves) from 25 yards out during the first overtime. Or South’s Camile Michon, who hit one post, saw the ball bounce all the way to and off the other post inside of 10 to play in regulation.

Or North keeper Ross, who played a super game, making several sliding grabs to thwart South breakaways. Ross was summoned a couple of days ago from JV to replace North starter Grace Cardin, out for the season with a leg injury.

“It was a phenomenal game,” North coach Jacqueline Thompson said. “She (Ross) stepped up and she did her job, I’m really proud of her.

“We had a couple go down in the beginning, we had to make a quick adjustment in the starting line right off the bat. Those players stepped up and I can’t ask for anything more.”

Except for just one goal in 95 minutes. But that’s another part of the game of soccer that South’s Soraya Ross wasn’t going to take for granted.

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