Lady Hawks set for state soccer playoff debut; Lady Tigers in field hockey regional

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Jailyn Bishop and Akron’s Nevada Bergman will help lead their teams into regional playoff competition on Saturday.

Venturing into uncharted waters, Holley will open state girls soccer playoff competition by taking on Frewsburg in the Class C Far West Regional at 5 p.m. Saturday at Caledonia-Mumford.

This will be the first appearance in the state playoffs for the Lady Hawks which advanced by downing Genesee Region League foe Byron-Bergen 3-2 in overtime for the Section V Class C state qualifier.

Frewsburg likewise had a long game to advance having to outlast Niagara-Orleans League champion Wilson 2-1 in a shootout in the Section VI Class C qualifier.

“My girls need to play with heart and together,” said Holley Coach Renee Wolf. “One of the things I have been driving home with them is, if we play as a team, we can do amazing things. This is what they have been preparing for. It’s been a crazy, but a fun ride and that ride is not over. I’m super proud of my girls and look forward to Saturday.”

Holley has been led offensively by Samantha Bates with 29 goals and 10 assists, Jailyn Bishop with 11 goals and 13 assists and Emma Brady with 9 goals and 9 assists.

Pacing Frewsburg has been the quartet of Taytum Jimerson (20 goals, 15 assists), Audrey Eckwahl (14 goals, 8 assists), Kealy Coflischt (9 goals) and Addison Hultberg (9 goals).

“I know that they have a couple goal scorers and they are known to be physical,” said Wolf. “Their defense is one of the best in the league and their goalie has only allowed 7 goals. They play very well to targets.”

Holley brings 17-3 record into the regional while Frewsburg is 12-2-3.

The victor in Saturday’s Regional will advance to the state Class C semifinals on November 11 at Homer High School near Cortland.

Fans are remined that tickets must be purchased on-line in advance.

To obtain tickets for the soccer click here

Akron to face East Rochester
Undefeated (12-0) N-O champion Akron will take on East Rochester in the Class C field hockey Far West Regional at 10 a.m. Saturday at Webster Thomas High School.

The victor will advance to the state semifinals at Centereach Long Island on November 11.

Akron, which is 16-1 overall, advanced to the state playoffs by nipping Medina 1-0 in the Section VI Class C title game as a goal in the first 25 seconds by Nevada Bergman held up.

East Rochester is the only Class C field hockey team in Section V so gains an automatic berth the regional. ER, which is 1-15, plays a regular season schedule against all Class A and Class B teams.

Akron last met ER in the regional in 2017 when the Lady Tigers downed the Bombers 7-0.

Defense has been a strong point for Lady Tigers which are 15-0 against N-O opponents including league and sectional games and have allowed just 1 goal in all of those contests.

Offensively, Akron has been led by Bergman with 14 goals and Olivia McClaine with 11 goals and 12 assists.

“Our pregame cheer asks two questions: what’s the goal? States! and who are we? Family! Beginning on the first practice of the season we remind ourselves with this mantra that the goal is to attend the State playoff games and that the way to do this is by treating each other respectfully, as family,” said Akron Coach Marlene Stone.

Fans are reminded that tickets must be purchased on-line in advance.

To obtain tickets for the field hockey click here