OT win sends Lady Hawks to state playoffs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 1 November 2023 at 9:37 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Zoey Wolf heads the ball away from Byron-Bergen’s MacKenzie Hagen during the Lady Hawks 3-2 overtime win over the Bees in the Section V Class C state qualifier game this evening at Geneseo.

Making school history, Holley edged past Genesee Region League foe Byron-Bergen 3-2 in overtime in the Section V Class C girls soccer state qualifier game at Geneseo High School this evening.

The appearance in the state tournament will be the first for the Lady Hawks which will face Section VI champion Frewsburg in the Class C Far West Regional at 5 p.m. Saturday at Caledonia-Mumford.

Samantha Bates scored with six minutes to go in the first overtime period off an assist from Emma Brady to snap a 2-2 tie and earn the Lady Hawks their first state playoff berth.

“It’s amazing. They played great,” said Holley Coach Renee Wolf. “I knew they could do it. They just had to believe they could and they did.”

Holley jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Mia Thom scored with 13 minutes to go in the first half.

However, Byron-Bergen, which downed Holley 6-0 during the G-R campaign, rallied to first tie the game before half-time on a goal by Mia Gray and then to take a 2-1 lead in the second half on a tally by Megan Jarkiewicz.

Holley though battled back to retie the contest on a goal by Bates with less than 10 minutes to go in regulation time forcing the overtime period.

Holley, which advanced to the state qualifier by winning the Section VI Class C1 title title with a 2-1 win over Williamson, will take a 17-3 record into the Far West Regional.

Holley’s Emma Brady looks to pass the ball as Bella Thom supports and Byron-Bergen’s Elizabeth Starowitz comes in to defend.

Holley’s Alexia Renner sends the ball up field against Byron-Bergen defender Megan Zwerka-Synder.