Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Nick Newton makes a shot for Albion during today’s Niagara-Orleans League opener against Akron at Hickory Ridge.

Medina opened defense of its Niagara-Orleans League golf title with a 245-264 win over host Barker this afternoon at the Niagara Orleans course.

Aiden Paul took medalist honors with a 39 and Dylan Lonnen had a 45 to lead the way for the Mustangs.

In other N-O action, Albion dropped a 224-263 decision to Akron at Hickory Ridge.

Drew Romesser and Jack Klodzinski shared medalist honors with rounds of 41 to set the pace for Akron.

Nick Newton led Albion with a 48.

In a tri match at Willowbrook, Newfane downed Wilson 237-250 and Wilson won by forfeit over Roy-Hart which had only four golfers available for the match.

Trevor Heschke took medalist honors for Newfane with a 39 as Sam Capen and Cade Littman both chipped in with 46s.

Nathan Meyers shot a 42 and Evan Mahar a 49 for Wilson.

N-O action continues on Tuesday with Medina at Newfane and Akron at Roy-Hart.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Returning G-R All-Star Ella Lewis will help lead the Lyndonville/Medina soccer team into the upcoming season.

Boasting a good returning nucleus the Lyndonville/Medina girls soccer team is getting set for its third season of Genesee Region League competition.

Junior Forward Ella Lewis, who earned G-R All-Star honors last fall, heads the Lady Tigers veteran group. She scored a team leading 14 goals.

That veteran contingent also includes seniors Gracie Cogovan (Goalie/Defender), Brooklyn Brown (Midfield/Forward), Kylie Hinman (Midfielder), Kiera Dent (Midfield/Forward), Erin Kiefer (Defender/Forward), Corina Kingsbury (Defender/Midfield), Emma Roush (Defender) and Tessa Boyce (Forward) along with junior Lily Joe Carpenter (Forward).

“We’ve got a strong core group back and we will be ready to go,” said Coach Paul Zeppetella. “The girls are really excited to play and are looking forward to the season.”

The Lady Tigers graduation losses included G-R Honorable Mention selections Selena Austin (Goalie/Defender), Morgan Allis (Defender/Forward) and Miranda Zelazny (Defender) along with Julie Porter (Midfielder) and Olivia Carter (Midfielder).

The Lady Tigers are scheduled to open G-R competition on October 6 against Attica at Medina.

Schedule:

October: 6 – vs. Attica at Medina, 7 p.m.; 8 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 7 p.m.; 10 – at Alexander, 5 p.m.; 13 – Notre Dame, 5 p.m.; 15 – Pembroke, 5 p.m..; 20 – Alexander, 5 p.m.; 22 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; 24 – at Wheatland-Chili, 7 p.m.; 26 – at Attica, 7 p.m.; 28 – vs. Kendall at Medina, 7 p.m.; 30 – at Pembroke, 7 p.m.

November: 3 – vs. Holley at Medina, 7 p.m.; 5 – at Byron-Bergen, 7 p..m.

Local high school sports competition is set to resume on Monday for the first time since early March with the opening matches of the Niagara-Orleans League golf season.

Those matches will include Akron at Albion, defending champion Medina at Barker and Roy-Hart and Newfane at Wilson.

Medina went 12-0 last fall to capture a third straight N-O crown. Wilson finished in the runner-up spot at 9-3  with Albion third at 8-4.

The returning starting duo of sophomore Aiden Paul and freshman Dylan Lonnen lead the way for Medina.

Senior Nick Newton is the lone returning starter for Albion which also has varsity experience in juniors James Beach and Jacob Foote.

Roy-Hart is led by the quartet of seniors McCarthy Lang and Carter Green along with juniors Brian Baes and Andrew Downey.

Contributed Photos – Heading the veteran lineup for the Medina field hockey team this season is this quartet of seniors including, from left, Sophia Cardone, Abby Blount, Hannah Kenward and Faith Ann Vanderwalker.

Coming off their best league season in a dozen years (8-3-1) the Medina field hockey team is prepping for the upcoming Niagara-Orleans season led by a group of eight returnees.

The senior quartet of forwards Abby Blount and Hannah Kenward, midfielder Faith Ann Vanderwalker and defender Sophia Cardone head that group which also includes juniors Alex Strong (Midfielder), Sadiqua Muhammad (forward) and Dakota Alexander (Defender) and sophomore Rachel Hill (Defender). Kenward and Vanderwalker both earned N-O All-League Honorable Mention last fall.

The Mustangs heavy graduation losses include first team N-O All-Leaguers Lacey Kenward (Forward/Midfield) and Mary Flores (Midfielder), second team honorees Grace Cook (Midfield) and Abi Neuman (Defender) along with Honorable Mention selections Layna Viloria (Forward) and Tessa Pecoraro (Goalie) and Michaela Erway (Forward).

Kenward had a team high 14 goals and 4 assists last year while Flores had 5 goals and 5 assists, Viloria 5 goals and 1 assist, Cook 4 goals and 1 assist, Erway 3 goals and 2 assists and Neuman 2 goals and 2 assists.

“We have a lot of big shoes to fill,” said Coach Amber Cleaveland. “We hoping to fill the big losses but getting the season in that is the big thing for the kids.”

Medina is scheduled to open the N-O season at defending champion Barker on October 6.

Schedule:

October: 5 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Kenmore, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 20 – Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.; 22 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – Barker, 10 a.m.; 27 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 29 – Kenmore, 5 p.m.; 31 – at Newfane, 12 p.m.

November: 5 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 7 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Returning Genesee Region League All-Stars Halee Passarell, left, and Kayleigh Neale will help lead the Holley girls varsity soccer team into the upcoming Genesee Region League season.

Anchored by a large group of a dozen returnees, Holley is looking to keep the momentum going from last year’s 10 win season heading into the upcoming Genesee Region League girls soccer campaign.

Seniors Halee Passarell (Midfield/Forward) and Kayleigh Neale (Defender/Midfield), who both earned G-R All-Star honors last fall, and freshman Samantha Bates (Midfield/Forward), who was an Honorable Mention selection, head Holley’s veteran contingent.

Passarell had a team high 13 goals and 7 assists, Bates 7 goals and 4 assists and Neale 5 goals and a team high 14 assists last season.

The Lady Hawks veteran group also includes seniors Skyla Milazzo (Midfield/Forward), Allyson Skehan (Defender/Midfield), Hayley Skidmore (Defender/Midfield), Amya Cancino (Midfield/Forward), Allison Lyndaker (Midfield/Forward) and Rylee Secor (Defender/Midfield) along with junior Tatum Gagne and freshmen Emma Bradley (Goalie/Midfield), Jailyn Bishop (Defender/Midfield) and Isabella Thom (Defender/Midfield).

“We’ve got a pretty good core back,” said Coach Renee Wolf. “Our middle is pretty strong so I think we should definitely do well.”

The Lady Hawks graduation losses included G-R All-Stars Sarah Harrington (Midfield/Forward) and Olivia Radford (Defender/Forward and Honorable Mention selection Rachel Killian (Defender/Midfield). Radford had 10 goals and 9 assists and Harrtington 3 goals and 3 assists last year.

Holley is scheduled to open the G-R season at home on October 6 against Notre Dame.

Schedule (games at 7 p.m.):

October: 6 – Notre Dame, 8 – at Wheatland-Chili, 10 – at Kendall, 13 – Byron-Bergen, 15 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 20 – Kendall, 22 – Wheatland-Chili, 24 – at Byron-Bergen, 26 – Alexander, 28 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 30 – at Attica.

November: 3 – vs. Lyndonville at Medina, 5 – Pembroke

Contributed Photos – Paula Knaak and Jeff Dobson have captured Hickory Ridge Cup titles

The prestigious Hickory Ridge Cup recently concluded the competitive tournament schedule for the Hickory Ridge Golf Association.

The two day all handicap event crowned winners for male and female  association members.

Winning for the women was Paula Knaak who posted a 139 net for the event.  Close behind was Deb Wood who netted 142 followed by a tie between Brenda Powers and Melissa Cotter at 155.

On the men’s side first year member Jeff Dobson narrowly beat out Jim Zambito 148-149 to claim the title.  Randy Knaak and Werner Stumpf shared third place with 152.

Trophies for the years events will be distributed at the year end scramble on October 3.

The final standings for the Ladies Nights Out  Tuesday Night League had the team of Marcia Zambito and Brenda Powers taking this year’s title.  Deb Birkins and Patty Pfister took second place with Judy Schuth and Di Hennekey finishing in third just ahead of Cheryl Ferguson and Vicki Brawn.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Senior Alex Gibson, who earned All League honors last year, will help lead the Albion varsity soccer team into the upcoming season.

Hit hard by graduation, the roster of the Albion boys varsity soccer team is getting a welcome boost from several members of the Purple Eagles football squad whose season has been postponed until spring.

The football playrs joining the Purple Eagles include the wide receiver trio of seniors Chris Shabazz and Anthony Freeman and junior Tyler Gibson along with Zac Olles and Jahmeek Riley.

The additions are a good boost for the Purple Eagles which return only seven players from last year’s squad after 13 graduated.

“The football players will really help us,” said Coach Casey Flynn. “They’s got speed and the athleticism and drive they bring will certainly help us .”

The Purple Eagles returning group is led by senior forward Alex Gibson (5 goals, 2 assists) who earned N-O All-League Honorable Mention.

The veteran group also includes seniors Jacob Thom, Zac Albright and Colburn Spierdowis along with juniors Caleb Hyde, Blake Stornelli and Josh Martin.

The Purple Eagles graduation losses include first team All-League honoree midfielder Angel Rosario (8 goals), second team selections midfielder Juan Santiago and defender Spencer Sietman, Honorable Mention picks goalie Omar Peterson and forward Conner Hollenbeck along with forward Sam Sanchez and defender Cole London.

“It’s going to be different on offense with our graduation losses but the football guys should help with our depth and speed,” said Flynn.

Albion, which went 3-6-1 in the league and 5-10-2 overall last fall, is scheduled to open the N-O seasonal home on October 5 against Newfane.

Schedule:

October: 5 – Newfane, 6:45 p.m.; 7 – at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; 9 – Akron, 6:45 p.m.; 14 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 16 – Medina, 6:45 p.m.; 23 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; 30 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.

November: 2 – Wilson, 6:45 p.m.; 5 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – All League honorees Madison Gancasz, left, and Lena Fazzolari, shown here in action during games last year, will help lead the Barker field hockey team into the defense of their Niagara-Orleans League title this season.

Looking to reload offensively after losing much of their scoring punch to graduation the Barker varsity field hockey team is getting ready to defend their Niagara-Orleans League title.

Senior midfielders Madison Gancasz, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last fall, and Lena Fazzolari, who was a second team honoree, lead Barker’s veteran contingent. Gancasz scored 5 goals and added 6 assists last year.

That veteran group also includes seniors Natalie Bruning (Midfield/Attack), Ella Gooding (Defense/Midfield) and Courtney Hillman (Goalie) along with junior Kaedynce Schumacher (Midfield) and sophomores Ashlin Cole (Defender), Aaliyah Wheat (Midfield/Defense) and Mia Herman. Bruning scored 5 goals and Gooding 4 last season.

The Lady Raiders are also looking to sophomores Alexis Weeks, Mackenzie Dodge, Lilly Monthony, Alexa Zglinicki and freshman Addison Szafranski.

Barker’s graduation losses included first team N-O honorees Katrina Clare (18 goals, 21 assists) and Ciara Gregoire (17 goals, 2 assists), second team honoree Rachel Hurtgam (12 goals, 7 assists) and Honorable Mention selection Serena Harris (4 goals, 9 assists) along with midfielder Emily Wagner (6 goals) and defenders Brianna Bachman and Ella Fox.

“It’s going to be interesting,” said Coach Jeff Costello. “The more preseason time we have this year is good as it will help us with our skill development and conditioning. The kids have to be positive and ready to work hard as we have to get up to speed quickly. The big thing though is that the kids are getting the opportunity to play the game they love.”

The Lady Raiders, which went 12-0 in league action last fall, are scheduled to begin their N-O title defense at home on October 6 against Medina.

Schedule:

October: 6 – Medina, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Kenmore, 10 a.m.; 20 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 24 – at Medina, 10 a.m.; 27 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 29 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 31 – at Akron, 10 a.m.

November: 3 – Kenmore, 5 p.m.; 5 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Returning Genesee Region League All-Stars Brianna Wakefield, left, and Madison Jacob, who are shown here in action during games last fall, will help lead Kendall into the upcoming league season.

Kendall, which captured the Genesee Region League Division 2 championship last year with an 8-0 record (15-4 overall), is moving up to Division 1 this fall.

“Moving up to Division 1 will be a challenge but our returning group looks solid so I am very optimistic that we’ll be competitive,” said Coach Pam Barchet. “I am looking forward to the season and I’m really happy for the kids that they are getting the opportunity to play.”

Heading the Lady Eagles veteran group are senior Midfielder/Forwards Brianna Wakefield and Madison Jacob, who were both named G-R All-Stars last fall and junior defender/midfielder T’Mia Kitchings who earned Honorable Mention.

The veteran contingent also includes seniors Kari Harrier (Defender/Midfielder) and Lizzy Woodams (Forward) along with juniors Julie Coble (Defender), Grace Robinson (Midfield/Forward), Kiersten Rodas (Defender/Midfielder), Kailie Regan (Goalie/Forward), Alezya Brown (Defender/Forward) and Grace Levett (Midfielder/Forward).

Brown had 12 goals and 3 assists last fall while Wakefield had 10 goals and 13 assists, Jacob 8 goals and 12 assists, Woodams 7 goals and 5 assists, Levett 6 goals and 3 assists, Regan 4 goals, Robinson 3 goals and Kitchings 2 goals and 2 assists.

The Lady Eagles key graduation losses include Midfielder/Forward Hailee Mitchell and Defender Lzzie Sutphen, who both earned G-R All-Star honors, and Goalie Katie Pearson who received Honorable Mention. Mitchell had a team high 20 goals and added 9 assists.

Kendall is scheduled to begin G-R competition on October 6 at home against Oakfield-Alabama/Elba.

Schedule (games at 7 p.m.)

October: 6 – Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 8 – at Byron-Bergen, 10 – Holley, 13 – at Pembroke, 15 – Wheatland-Chili,  20 – at Holley, 22 – Byron-Bergen, 24 – at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, 26 – at Wheatland-Chili,  28 – vs. Lyndonville, at Medina, 30 – Alexander.

November: 3 – Notre Dame, 5 – at Attica.