Lady Hawks capture Section V Class C1 soccer championship to end long title drought

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Samantha Bates, who scored both goals, looks to control the ball against Williamson defender MacKenzie Bailey during the Lady Hawks Section V Class C1 championship game win at Gates Chili this afternoon.

Ending a nearly 30 year long postseason title drought, top seeded Holley downed No. 2 Williamson 2-1 in the Section V Class C1 girls soccer championship game this afternoon at Gates Chili.

Samantha Bates scored both goals for Holley to build up a 2-0 lead for the Lady Hawks.

Bates broke in clean to score the opening goal at the 23 minute mark of the first half off an assist from Bella Thom. She then netted what proved to be the game winner five minutes into the second half as Leigha Walker earned the assist.

Layne Walker, who earned the win in goal,  anchored the Holley defense.

“It’s amazing,” said Coach Renee Wolf of the Lady Hawks first sectional title since 1994. “I’m just super proud of the girls. They’ve been working hard for this for a long time. It was their goal and they dug deep to earn it.”

Improving to 16-3, Holley will now play for the Section V Class C berth in the state playoffs against a very familiar foe. The Lady Hawks will face Genesee Region League foe Byron-Bergen which edged Keshequa 4-3 in overtime for the Class C2 title. That state qualifier will be played next week at a date and site to be announced.

Holley’s Mia Thom tries to make a kick towards the goal as Williamson’s Alyssa Leaty attempts the block.

Holley’s Leigh Walker, who had the assist on the winning goal, sends a pass to her teammate Emma Brady.