POLAND – With each shot that hit the post Monday, the Poland girls’ soccer team seemingly got closer to scoring a goal.

But hitting the post proved easier than hitting the back of the net for Knights, which settled for a 1-1 tie with Sacopee Valley.

“That’s been our struggle all year,” said Poland coach Aaron Rand. “We’ve had a hard time scoring goals.”

The Knights (5-7-2) finished the year matching their record of five wins. Now they wait to see if they play again this year. The Knights were 11th in the last Heal Point standings in Western B. Only the top 10 teams make the tournament.

“We need a little help,” said Poland coach Aaron Rand. “Right now it could go either way.”

Sacopee (6-7-1) was in a better position. The Hawks have already secured their postseason berth. Coach Kevin Murphy thought his team had jumped to seventh in Western C but could have moved higher with a win.

The Knights outshot the Hawks 19-5. They hit the left and right post at least once each and watched the ball hit the crossbar a couple times.

“We were pretty unlucky at times today,” said Rand.

Sacopee’s Courtney Ross had a strong outing in net. She had nine saves and thwarted many Poland attempts at putting a ball forward for potential breakaways by the front-line.

“She went through knee surgery in April,” said Murphy. “So it’s an amazing story to see a girl with that much motion. She was the difference.”

Ironically, the Knights scored quite easily to take a 1-0 lead just 3:40 into play. Hilary Clark’s corner kick from the right side was redirected in front. Tessa Mascetta was credited with the tally.

Poland had chances to add to the lead. Jen Powell hit the crossbar, and Taylor Girouard had a high shot saved by Ross.

Sacopee answered with its lone shot of the half. Kara Singleton crossed the ball from the right corner. Emily Lane was there for a header with 5:24 left in the half.

“Emily Lane now has 19 goals on the season,” said Murphy. “That’s no small feat. They did a nice job marking up on her. She was getting frustrated.”

Poland picked up its game to finish the half. Kelsie Taylor hit the post and then hit the crossbar. She had a direct kick saved by Ross. A Taylor corner bounced around in the goalmouth, but Hawk defender Nicole Stacey cleared it away from an open net.

“We played really good the first half and dominated play,” said Rand. “We outshot them by quite a bit. We limited their chances and marked Emily well.”

In the second half, Poland hoped it was just a matter of time. Taylor sent in Brittany Michaud for a bid, but Ross broke it up. Clark had a pair of shots, one a high bid from the left side that Ross caught. Taylor maneuvered around three defenders but had a shot saved. Michaud’s cross from the right side set up Becca Wright, but her shot went over the net. A falling Ross tipped a Taylor shot straight up but caught it and gained her balance. Michaud had a shot at an open net that inadvertently hit the foot of a sprawled Taylor.

“We told the kids to keep plugging and keep playing the same way and good things will happen,” said Rand.

Sacopee’s best chances came in overtime when Lane had a chance broken up by Poland keeper Sam St. Pierre. Singleton put a shot over the net off a corner.