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Purple Eagles, Mustangs and Silverbacks will all host season opening football games Friday
The high school football season will get off to a busy start locally on Friday as Albion, Medina and Roy-Hart/Barer/Lyndonville all have home games.
The 7 p.m. openers will have Falconer at Albion for a B2 Division game, Newfane at Medina for a C North Division contest and Alden at Roy-Hart/Barker/Lyndonville for an interdivisional game.
The meeting will be the first between Falconer and Albion which went 4-1 in the division and 6-3 overall last fall.
Medina and Newfane will be meeting for the 58th time since the rivalry began in 1954. The Mustangs hold a 45-10-2 edge in the series over the Panthers including a 40-0 in last fall.
The Mustangs captured the C North title last fall with a 5-0 record and went on to claim the Section VI Class C title earning a first ever berth in the state playoffs finishing with a school record 11-1 record.
The RBL Silverbacks, which are beginning just their second season of 11 man competition, will be playing in the C North Division after competing in the B North Division last year going 1-7.
Medina lists spectator requirements
Medina Central School District officials have released the following statement on requirements for spectator behavior at sporting events this year. This statement was handed down by NYSPHSAA this past year and is the expectation of every school representing NYSPHSAA to uphold.
The NYSPHSAA statement states “Spectators are expected to Be Loud, Be Proud, and Be Positive.” Negative comments and inappropriate behaviors by spectators are required to be addressed by all and any school supervisors and administrators, as a member of NYSPHSAA. Spectators may be prohibited from attending current and future interscholastic contests based on their behavior.”
Medina officials have added the following statement for spectators:
“Please refrain from using foul language or exhibiting aggressive or argumentative behavior while attending events at Medina CSD. These are examples of behaviors that detract from the event and can ruin the experience of others in attendance and could negatively impact the athletes as well.
“There is no use of Tobacco, Alcohol, or any controlled or banned substance permitted on Medina CSD premises. This includes Vaping and or the use of e-cigs or “dab” pens.
“Any student grades 8 and below, must be accompanied by an adult and remain under that adults supervision while attending an event at Medina CSD.
“It is the goal of the Medina CSD to provide a positive and welcoming experience to all of our visiting athletes, officials, and spectators- Please help us do so by adhering to our expectations and contributing to what we strive to make a positive environment”
Mustangs are going solo in boys soccer
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Medina boys varsity soccer team this season is this group of returning regulars. In front are Bryson Costich, Josh Hilobik and Cole Callard. In back are Wyatt Zelazny, Jackson Moreland, Mason Moreland and David Gonzalez.
After hosting a merged team with Lyndonville for the past 10 years Medina is fielding its own boys soccer squad this season.
The Mustangs are led by a group of seven returning regulars including seniors Bryson Costich (defender), David Gonzalez (midfield), Josh Holobik (defender), Jackson Moreland (forward), Mason Moreland (midfield), Wyatt Zelazny (forward) and sophomore Cole Callard (forward).
Jackson Moreland, who scored 11 goals, and Hilobuk both earned second team Niagara-Orleans League honors while Callard, who netted 7 goals, was an Honorable Mention selection.
The Mustangs also return seniors Chris Leavitt, Cayden Lilleby, Will Roush and junior Alex Benz.
Medina’s graduation losses included goalie Zach Fike, defender Cole Seefeldt and midfielders Zaric Boyce and Sam Kingsbury. Fike was a first team N-O All-League selection, Boyce a second team honoree and Seefeldt and Kingsbury Honorable Mention picks.
“Offensively we should be ok as we’ve got our main scorers back but we had some key losses on defense and that is the main area of concern,” said Coach Steve Luksch.
The Mustangs, which went 6-3-1 in the league and 11-6-1 overall last year, will begin tuning up for the September 9 N-O home opener against rival Albion by visiting Eden on Friday.
Kendall boys soccer looks to keep momentum from strong ’21 sectional run
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Kendall into the up coming boys soccer season is this group of returners. In front are Colby Hughes, William Kludt, Josh Esposito and Toby Passer. In back are Hunter Richards, Devin Edick, Louis Conte, Zach Barrett and Riley Robinson.
Last fall the Kendall boys soccer team finished strong scoring three straight playoff victories to advance to the sectional finals. Now the Eagles are looking to keep the momentum from that strong playoff run.
“They really jelled last year. They made it to the sectional finals and that is a lot to build on,” said Coach Rich Esposito. “Now the kids know what it takes to get there and they are really hungry to get back and finish the job.”
The Eagles are led by a large returning contingent including seniors Zach Barrett, Devin Edick, Toby Passer and Riley Robinson along with juniors Louis Conte, Josh Esposito and Hunter Richards and sophomores Jonathan Reyes, Colby Hughes and William Kludt.
The Eagles graduation losses included Genesee Region League All-Stars Michael McCue, Jeffrey Pratt and Jordon Ostrander.
Kendall will begin prepping for the September 6 G-R home opener against Wheatland-Chili by visiting Akron for a non league contest on Friday.
The Eagles went 7-2-1 in the league and 10-8-2 overall last year.
Holley girls top Wilson in tourney opener
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Emma Brady works to advance the ball against Wilson’s Rian Faery during the host Lady Hawks tournament win this evening.
Host Holley downed Wilson 4-1 this evening in the semifinal round of the Lady Hawks season opening tournament.
Samantha Bates scored two goals and Caitlin Dobri and Emma Brady one each for Holley. Bates and Alivia Wolf each had an assist.
Addison Elia scored the goal for Wilson.
Holley will now face Byron-Bergen in the championship game on Friday evening. Byron-Bergen blanked Alden 10-0 in the other semi.
Kendall and Albion gain tournament final
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Ava Quintern goes high to avoid Newfane goalie Alexandria Szratter as she grabs the ball during the Eagles Albion tournament win over the Lady Panthers this afternoon.
Kendall and Albion both scored victories this evening in the semifinal round of the season opening Albion girls soccer tournament.
Kendall defeated Newfane 3-1 and Albion nipped Alexander 1-0.
The Eagles and Purple Eagles will now meet in the championship game at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Brooke Rodas scored a goal in each half to give Kendall a 2-0 lead. Ava Quintern then tallied the clincher upping the Eagles lead to 3-0. Quintern and Lily Lavacca each added an assist.
Mia Clare scored for Newfane.
Sophia Albanese scored the lone goal for Albion off an assist from Cami London midway through the second half.
Abigail Wittenberg earned the shutout in goal for the Purple Eagles.
Boys Soccer
Albion dropped a 2-0 decision to the host school this evening in the semifinal round of the Wheatland-Chili Tournament.
Albion’s Cami London and Alexander’s Alexis Marino battle for control of the ball during the Purple Eagles tourney win this evening.
Medina posts shutout in field hockey opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Iyla Lilleby brings the ball up field for Medina against Wilson defender Lauren Vanderlinden during this evening’s Niagara-Orleans League opener at Vets Park won by the Mustangs.
Scoring in every quarter, Medina posted a 9-0 victory over Wilson in the Mustangs Niagara-Orleans League field hockey season opener this evening at Vets Park.
Lydia Fox scored three goals as Penelope Schalsk, Emiliana Batista and Ilya Lilleby each scored two to lead the Mustangs attack.
A goal by Lilleby gave Medina a 1-0 first quarter lead and two second period tallies by Fox upped the advantage to 3-0 at the half.
The Medina lead soared to 7-0 at the three-quarter mark as Schalck scored two goals and Fox and Batista one each in the third period.
Fourth quarter goals by Batista and Lilleby rounded out the Mustangs scoring parade.
Penelope Schalak scores a goal for Medina on a backhand shot as Aubriana Cristiano (17) and Mackenzie Hardy (16) defend for Wilson.
Medina to host Holley in volleyball opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set to lead Medina into Thursday’s non league volleyball home opener against Holley are these veterans. In front are Dani Williams, Sara Swart, Elizabeth Parker and Hailey Wilkins. In back are Phallon Rivera, Destiny Richardson, Miriam Fike, Ki’Mani Poole and Lorelei Sanders.
Medina will host Holley at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in a season opening non league volleyball match.
The Mustangs return a good veteran group in seniors Dani Williams, Sara Swart, Hailey Wilkins, Phallon Rivera, Elizabeth Parker and Destiny Richardson along with juniors Miriam Fike, Ki’Mani Poole and Lorelei Sanders.
Holley is led by the senior trio of Tia Hoffarth, Ava Quincey and Erin DeFrank. The Lady Hawks are also looking for help from junior Gabby Houseknecht, sophomores Allison Merle and Maggie Skehan along with freshmen Alexis VanAmeron Cadence Lujan and Carissa Klossner.
Medina will open the Niagara-Orleans League season at rival Albion on September 8 while Holley will begin Genesee Region League competition at home on September 7 against Attica.
This senior trio of Erin DeFrank, Ava Quincey and Tia Hoffarth lead the way for the Holley varsity volleyball team.
Medina earns split in N-O golf tri match
Medina earned a split in a rainy Niagara-Orleans League golf tri-match this morning at Shelridge.
The Mustangs defeated Roy-Hart 276-312 but lost to Akron 246-276. Akron also downed Roy-Hart 246-312.
Medina’s duo of Aidan Paul and Dylan Lonnen shared medalist honors with rounds of 39.
Drew Romesser shot 46 and Trace Hill 47 to lead Akron.
Akron is now 2-0, Medina 2-1 and Roy-Hart 0-2.
Barker rolls in N-O field hockey opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Mackenzie Dodge, left, battles for control of the ball during the Lady Raiders season opening win over visiting Kenmore this afternoon.
A quick three goal scoring burst in the first five minutes ignited Barker to a 10-0 victory over visiting Kenmore this afternoon in a season opening Niagara-Orleans League field hockey game.
Alexis Weeks scored the first of her three goals to ignite the early uprising. Cole Carnes followed with with a pair of tallies to give the Lady Raiders a quick 3-0 lead.
In all, a total of seven players contributed goals for the Lady Raiders as Miya Goodale, Alexa Zglinicki, Anna Bowerman, Rachel Sutter and Ella Taylor each chipped in with one.
Goodale’s goal made it 4-0 at the end of the first period. The Lady Raiders upped the advantage to 6-0 at the half on second period goals by Zglinicki and Weeks and to 7-0 at the three-quarter mark after a third period tally by Bowerman.
Sutter, Weeks and Taylor then each tallied in the final period to round out the scoring
.
N-O opening week action continues on Wednesday as Medina hosts Wilson at 7 p.m. at Vets Park.
Alexis Weeks (4) led the Barker scoring parade with three goals.
Tourney opener for Albion boys soccer team
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Albion into the boys soccer season are senior veterans Vinnie Molisani, Andrew Uderitz and Corleone Plain. Missing from the photo is Ulises Ledesma.
Albion will face the host school in the semifinals of the season opening Wheatland-Chili boys soccer tournament at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The consolation and finals are slated for Friday.
The Purple Eagles lineup features a blend of a small veteran nucleus with a promising group of underclassmen.
That group includes senior veterans Vinnie Molisani, Andrew Uderitz, Corleone Plain and Ulises Ledesma along with newcomers David Rosario and Adrian Figuerroa-Fuentes, both sophomores, and Pablo Rosario-Reyes, a freshman.
Uderitz was a second team Niagara-Orleans All-League honoree last year while Plain and Ledesma were both Honorable Mention selections.
“We’ve got some guys who can score and they are creative,” said Coach Bridgette Varin. “Right now we’re working on getting our defense organized. The defense is the focus.”
Albion will open the N-O season at rival Medina on September 9.
