Barker nips Akron to gain share of N-O field hockey lead; Medina tops Newfane

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 October 2020 at 3:32 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Akron’s Sophia Jones tries to get the ball past Barker goalie Courtney Hillman and defender Ella Gooding. The action took place during the Lady Raiders key win over the host Lady Tigers this morning.

Avenging an earlier season shootout loss, defending champion Barker nipped host Akron 1-0 this morning to gain a share of the Niagara-Orleans League field hockey lead.

Akron is now 10-1 and Barker 9-1.

Barker scored the game’s only goal on the Lady Raiders lone shot of the morning as Madison Gancasz tallied off a corner opportunity three minutes into the second quarter.

Akron’s Laicy Karczewski battles with Barker’s Addison Szafranski for the ball.

Ella Gooding inserted the ball to start the decisive corner opportunity as Lena Fazzolari and Addison Szafranski picked up assists as Gancasz finished off the play.

The goal was the first Akron has allowed this season.

“We got the one shot and we made the most of it” said Barker Coach Jeff Costello whose defense kept the Lady Raiders in the game.

Akron had a whopping 12-2 advantage in corners and an 11-1 edge in shots.

“That was the best we’ve done at clearing the ball,” said Costello. “They got their shots but we were able to limit their second chances. We made some changes on how we defend and we tightened up and did a much better job of clearing the ball.”

Courtney Hillman earned the shutout in goal for the Lady Raiders whose defensive unit was anchored by Fazzolari, Gooding and Ashlin Cole.

Barker will close out the N-O season by visiting Kenmore on Tuesday and Newfane on Thursday while Akron’s lone remaining game is at Kenmore on Thursday.

Medina 4, Newfane 3

Medina trimmed host Newfane 4-3 as Lydia Fox had two goals and an assist, Sophia Cardone a goal and an assist, Abi Blount a goal and FaithAnn Vanderwalker two assists.

Medina is now 3-6-2 and Newfane 1-9.

Kenmore 1, Wilson 0

Kenmore (4-5-1) made it three wins in the last four starts by trimming Wilson (2-9) 1-0.