Albion girls lock up N-O soccer title outright

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Leah Pritchard keeps the ball away from Wilson’s Lilly O’Lay during the Purple Eagles key win over the host Lakewomen this morning.

Putting a firm lock on outright possession of the league title, Albion downed host Wilson 4-1 this morning in a key late season Niagara-Orleans girls soccer game.

Albion, which last captured the N-O crown in 2008, holds a two game lead over runner-up Akron with just one league game remaining.

The Purple Eagles stay perfect at 9-0 (14-0 overall) while Akron is now 6-2 after downing Barker (0-9) 8-0 this morning. The loss drops Wilson into third place at 5-3.

“Before the season one of the girls’ goals was to win the league so this is a big one for them,” said Albion Coach Maggie Orbaker. “They just work so hard and never give up.”

Breaking away from a scoreless deadlock, Albion grabbed a 2-0 lead with a quick two goal scoring burst late in the first half.  Brylie Hapeman scored on a breakaway  off an assist from Abby Scanlan with 14 minutes to go. Mariah Plain then scored on a direct kick just two minutes later.

Wilson, which had a goal disallowed right at the buzzer to end the first half, did cut the deficit to 2-1 just seven minutes into the second half on a tally by Kassidy Sidote.

However, Albion got that one right back just a couple of minutes later when Scanlan scored off an assist from Hapeman.

Purple Eagles goalie Sydney Mulka then made a big leaping save to prevent another Wilson tally. She had three big saves in the second half and two more in the opening half.

Albion finally put a lock on the win when Scanlan scored with just 13 minutes to go off an assist from Plain to make it 4-1.

Albion will close out the N-O season at home on Wednesday against Barker.

Akron 8, Barker 0

In Akron’s victory, Jenna Robnett scored 4 goals and Kara Sequin 2 for the Lady Tigers.

Roy-Hart 3, Newfane 1

Maddie Fry scored 2 goals and Meghan Washington 1 as Roy-Hart (3-6) downed Newfane (3-6) 3-1. Fry and Kara Choate each had an assist.

Boys Soccer
Byron-Bergen 3, Albion 1

Nate Scanlan scored off an assist from Kendyll Hadick for Albion’s lone goal in a 3-1 non league loss to visiting Byron-Bergen.

Albion players celebrate the victory which clinches sole possession of the N-O title for the Purple Eagles.

Albion’s Alyson Knaak battles for control of the ball with Wilson’s Leia Cloy.