Foggy win earns Albion girls tie for N-O title

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 October 2018 at 9:31 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Abby Scanlan, left, scored Albion’s first goal while at the right Brylie Hapeman heads in the game winner for the Purple Eagles as goalie Madalyn Traverse, Katie LaRuffa (15) and Angelina DiTullio (3) try to defend for Newfane. The action took place during the Purple Eagles foggy title tie clinching win over the visiting Lady Panthers this evening.

Putting together a clutch late scoring surge, Albion scored a foggy 3-1 victory over visiting Newfane this evening, a victory which combined with Akron’s 5-0 win over Wilson, clinches at least a tie for the Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer title for the Purple Eagles.

Albion, which stays undefeated at 8-0 in the league and 13-0 overall with only two league games remaining, now holds a two game lead over both Akron and Wilson which are deadlocked for second place at 5-2.

The N-O title is the first for the Purple Eagles since 2008.

Breaking away from a 1-1 deadlock, Albion regained the lead for good when Brylie Hapeman scored on a header on a rebound off an initial shot by Claire Squicciarini.

The Purple Eagles then put a lock on the key win when Hapeman scored on a breakaway with three minutes to go as Kendall Driesley earned the assist.

“They worked extremely hard,” said Albion Coach Maggie Orbaker. “They showed they can come back from a tie. I’m just very proud of them. They just kept going and never gave up. That’s been a mark of this team all season.”

Albion, which had a shot bounce off the crossbar in the first half and missed on a breakaway opportunity early in the second half, finally grabbed a 1-0 lead when Abby Scanlan scored on a breakaway off an assist from Hapeman 10 minutes into the second half.

Newfane, which dropped an equally close 3-2 overtime decision to Albion earlier in the season, battled back to knot the contest just seven minutes later on a goal by Sarah Milczarski.

However, Albion goalie Sydney Mulka and her defensive mates turned back the Lady Panthers the rest of the way to preserve the narrow win. Mulka also had three big saves in the first half including one diving stop and another leaping save off a Newfane direct kick opportunity.

Albion goalie Sydney Mulka goes high to knock the ball away off a Newfane direct kick opportunity.

Akron 5, Wilson 0
Natalie Karmazyn scored 2 goals and Kara Sequin, Jenna Robnett and Ava Martina each netted 1 to lift Akron to the key win over Wilson.

Roy-Hart 7, Barker 0
Roy-Hart (2-6) blanked Barker (0-8) 7-0 as Kara Choate scored 3 goals and Rylee Young, Mya Quinn, Maddie Fry and Meghan Washington each had 1.

Boys Soccer
Kendall vs. Holley postponed
Poor field conditions caused by the rainy weather forced the Kendall at Holley boys game to be postponed until next Tuesday.