Defending champion Kendall girls soccer squad has key holes to fill

Photo by Mike Wertman  – Anchoring the lineup for the defending Genesee Region League Division 1 and Section V Class CC champion Kendall girls soccer team is this group of returning regulars. In front are Megan Hardenbrook, Hailee Mitchell and Lizzie Rath. In back are TT ReQua, Jenna LoSapio and Lyndsay Wright.

Looking to fill key holes due to graduation losses on the forward line and in goal, the Kendall girls soccer team is prepping to defend its Genesee Region League Division 1 and Section V Class CC championships.
Six returning starters including senior defenders Lizzie Rath and Jenna LoSapio, junior defender Lyndsay Wright, junior midfielders TT ReQua and Megan Hardenbrook and freshman midfielder Hailee Mitchell anchor there Lady Eagles lineup. ReQua had 11 goals and 22 assists last year.
The Lady Eagles also return varsity experience in senior Kacey Menge and juniors Andrea Villalobos and Michela Hanlon.
“We’ve got some big shoes to fill on the attack and in goal but it’s an opportunity for others to take up those roles,” said Coach Pam Beres whose Lady Eagles have captured three straight G-R Division 1 titles and have taken Class CC titles two of the last three years.
Key graduation losses for Kendall, which went 13-0 in the league and 19-1 overall last fall, include goalie Jenna Jacob, forward Maya Rutland (29 goals, 7 assists) and midfielders Taylor Rutland (12 goals, 10 assists), Coralee Freitag and Keri Furness.
“We’ve got a good returning group and we look to be strong up the middle,” said Beres. “The keys for us are to possess the ball as we have in past years and to develop our young athletes.”
Kendall will begin its G-R title defense at Attica on September 3. The Lady Eagles will then visit rival Holley on September 7 before hosting their own tournament on September 8 and 10. Kendall will face Albion in the tourney opener.
Schedule
September: 3 – at Attica, 11 a.m.; 7 – at Holley, 6:30 p.m.; 8 – Albion (Kendall Tournament), 7 p.m.; 10 – Kendall Tournament, TBA; 13 – at Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 17 – Alexander, 6:30 p.m.; 19 – at Pembroke, 4:30 p.m.; 21 – at Lyndonville, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Oakfield/Elba, 1 p.m.; 27 – Notre Dame, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – Holley, 6:30 p.m.
October: 1 – at HAC, 3 p.m.; 3 – Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.; 5 – Wheatland-Chili, 6:30 p.m.; 11 – at Byron-Bergen, 6:30 p.m.; 13 – Attica, 6:30 p.m.