CORTLAND — Ava Vadyak read the quarterback, jumped the route to make the interception and didn’t stop running until she spun into the end zone, igniting the Sayville sideline and cutting the deficit in half.

Her fourth-quarter pick-6 was the spark Sayville needed late, but the Golden Flashes ran out of time in a 14-7 loss to Section V’s Webster Schroeder in a state Class B flag football semifinal Saturday at Cortland High School.

“In that timeout, we talked about what we had to do in that moment with the time we had left,” Vadyak said. “I just knew that was our time, so I had to get into the end zone and put points on the board. Getting in the end zone was my only goal.”

Vadyak’s spinning 13-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:53 left in the game followed by an Olivia Moynihan conversion pass to Ashley Alexander gave Sayville one last push in a season defined by resilience.

“We never stopped fighting and that’s the main thing,” Sayville coach Reade Sands said. “The main thing is the journey and the relationships that this team has built throughout the season.”

Sayville (20-1), which was the state runner-up last season, didn’t allow a point until the final minute of the first half when it fell behind by two scores. Emma Rascoe found Addison Morgan for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds left. After a quick Sayville three-and-out, Rascoe connected with Morgan again for a 32-yard score with just 11 seconds remaining, giving Schroeder a 14-0 lead.

Sayville’s defense was on point early. Trinity Ricevuto grabbed a first-half interception to halt a drive by Schroeder (15-1), and Moynihan added a pick of her own. Sayville’s pressure forced multiple three-and-outs and gave the offense chances to take control.

Moynihan sparked a drive in the first half with a 39-yard run, but repeated sacks on key downs halted momentum. Still, Sayville never wavered.

“We gave it our all,” Vadyak said. “It just shows how hard we worked throughout the whole entire season. I’m just grateful for the team we have.”

Sayville responded in the second half by locking down defensively and generating late momentum. With four minutes to play, the Golden Flashes marched into the red zone, but on fourth-and-goal from the 8-yard line, Morgan sealed a standout performance with an interception in the end zone.

Ricevuto, a senior leader, helped keep the team steady throughout the game. Aniela Marino led the defense with eight flag pulls.

“I’m honestly proud of keeping everyone else in the game with me,” Ricevuto said. “I made sure everyone’s heads were up at all times.”

And though the scoreboard didn’t reflect the outcome Sayville hoped for, the team walked off the field proud.

“I’m so grateful for the journey and the girls I’ve played with,” Ricevuto said. “It was our goal to be back here, and that’s what we did.”