Holley girls soccer setting high goals

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 August 2023 at 10:52 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Veteran members of the Holley girls varsity soccer team include, in front, Ryleigh Weader, Alivia Wolf, Leigha Walker and Alexia Renner. In the middle row are Natalie Foose, Layne Walker, Emma Brady and Zoey Wolf. In back are Sam Bates. Jailyn Bishop, Katie Dobri, Alyssa Wright and Jasmin Apicella. Missing are Bella Thom and Mia Thom.

Last fall was a very successful one for the Holley girls varsity soccer team as the Lady Hawks won the Genesee Region League Division 1 title and advanced to the finals of the Class C1 sectionals.

Now, with virtually the entire team back including all 11 starters, the Lady Hawks are taking aim at not only repeating as G-R division champs but going farther in postseason competition.

“We have a good chance to do very, very well,” said Coach Renee Wolf. “They went a long way last year and now they want to get over that hurdle. They got a taste of it (sectional success) last year so they know what it feels like.”

Heading Holley’s veteran laden squad are seniors Samantha Bates (Midfield/Forward), Emma Brady (Goalie/Midfield), and Bella Thom (Defense/Midfield) along with juniors Alivia Wolf (Midfield/Forward) and Zoey Wolf (Defense/Midfield), who all earned G-R All-Star honors last season along with Honorable Mention selections seniors Jailyn Bishop (Defense/Midfield), Leigha Walker (Defense/Midfield) and Layne Walker (Goalie/Midfield) head Holley’s veteran laden squad.

Bates led the Lady Hawks in scoring with 31 goals and 12 assists while Brady had 16 goals and 14 assists and Thom 6 goals and 8 assists.

The Lady Hawks lineup also includes seniors Ryleigh Weader (Midfield/Forward), Alyssa Wright (Defense), Jasmin Apicella (Defense/Midfield), Kaitlin Dobri (Defense/Midfield); juniors Alexia Renner (Midfield/Forward) and Natalie Foose (Midfield/Forward) and fresman Mia Thom (Midfield/Forward).

“They played together over the summer which really helps in getting us ready for the season,” said Wolf.

The Lady Hawks, which went 11-1-1 in the league and 16-2-1 overall last fall, will open the season by hosting their annual tournament on August 30 and September 1. The first round matchups will have Roy-Hart vs. Aquinas (4:30 p.m.) followed by Holley vs. Canisteo-Greenwood (6:30 p.m.). The G-R opener will be September 6 at Attica.