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Kendall posts shutout win in state semis
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – With snowflakes coming down, Kendall’s Hailee Mitchell scores the first goal sparking the Lady Eagles to a stat Class D semifinal victory over Cincinnatus this afternoon at Homer High School near Cortland. The Cincinnatus defender is Montana Wolf.
Taking charge from the outset with goal in the first nine minutes, Kendall went on to blank Cincinnatus (Section III) 2-0 in the state Class D girls soccer semifinals this afternoon at Homer High School near Cortland.
The victory propels Kendall into the state championship game for the first time in program history as the Lady Eagles will take on Fort Ann in the title contest at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Thompkins Cortland Community College.
“I’m just so proud of the girls. They’ve made school history,” said Kendall Coach Pam Barchet. “The girls really came out strong and we really dominated with our speed. With that speed we were really able to work through their defense.”
Mitchell blasts in a big insurance goal for Kendall against Cincinnatus defender Kyla Sustad.
Kendall grabbed a quick 1-0 lead at the 31:55 mark when Hallee Mitchell found the Cincinnatus net with a low line drive shot that found its way through traffic.
“Getting that early goal really helped,” said Barchet. “That got the wind in our sails and set the tone.”
Continuting to put steady pressure on throughout the opening half, Kendall doubled its lead when Mitchell scored her team meaning 29th goal of the season on a hard high shot from 25 yards out with 4:19 to go before the half. The tally came off the Lady Eagles third corner kick opportunity of the half.
Kendall again kept up steady pressure throughout the second half and nearly scored again but had a shot rattle off the cross bar midway through the half.
Katherine Pearson made fives saves in goal for the Lady Eagles including one key diving stop 12 minutes into the first half.
Kendall now takes a 17-5 record into Sunday’s championship game against Fort Ann (Section II) nipped Parishville-Hopkinton 2-1 in overtime in the other semi.
Kendall advanced to the state semis by edging North Collins (Section VI) 1-0 in the Far Wet Regional while Cincinnatus nipped Downsville (Section IV) 1-0 in the Central Regional.
The loss was the first of the season for Cincinnatus which finishes at 19-1-1.
Kendall’s Olivia Reed advances the ball up field against Cincinnatus defender Montana Wolf.
The Lady Eagles had a very large crowd of enthusiastic rooters on hand.
Holley grads earn collegiate soccer honors
Contributed Photos – Madison Papaj and Chris Balys
Two Holley High graduates, Madison Papaj and Chris Balys, who are student- athletes at Alfred State, have been named to the first team of the American Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Star soccer squads.
Papaj, a freshmen goalie, registered 8 shutouts the season making 81 saves with a 1.05 goals against average. She made 10 saves in Alfred’s 2-1 conference tournament semifinal win over Delhi and 15 saves in the 0-0 final against Thomas Moore. She was named to the All-Tournament team.
Balys, a sophomore defender scored 2 goals including the game winner in a 2-1 victory over D’Youville.
State semis up next for Lady Raiders
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Ashlin Cole and her Lady Raider teammates will face Carle Place in the Class C state semifinal field hockey game at 3 p.m. Saturday at Williamsville North.
Having earned three straight dramatic come-from-behind playoff victories, Barker will now face a Class C state semifinal field hockey test against Carle Place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Williamsville North.
Barker advanced to the state semifinals for the fourth time in the last nine years by outlasting East Rochester 4-3 in overtime in the Far West Regional. Katrina Clare scored three goals to spearhead the Lady Raiders rally, including to the game winner with just 1:30 to go in overtime, upping her season total to 30.
Prior to that the Lady Raiders had to rally from a 2-0 first half deficit to trim Niagara-Orleans League foe Akron 3-2 in overtime in the Section VI semifinals on a goal by Ciara Gregoire and then to nip Eden 2-1 in the sectional final on a goal by Natalie Bruning with just 20 seconds to go.
“It would be great to get off to a good start and play with a lead, but how can you question whether they will fight to get back into it if things start out slow? This team believes in their individual talents and contributions and has confidence in the team as a whole,” said Coach Jeff Costello. “You can see how they care for and love each other as the “Sister Squad.” Our theme this year is “Choose Greatness.” They’ve done so and because of that they are still playing and enjoying Championship Week.”
Carle Place (Section VIII) romped past Pierson (Section IX) 7-0 to win the Long Island Regional.
In fact, it will be a repeat trip to the Final Four for Carle Place which dropped a narrow 1-0 decision to Whitney Point in last year’s title contest.
“Our expectation from Carle Place is a very balanced and talented team,” said Costello. “They’ve been here before and they are a strong team who played eventual state champion Whitney Point tightly last season. We certainly know how good they are.”
Barker, which has a 17-3 season record, is seeking to end a state semifinal win drought as in their three recent trips to the Final Four the Lady Raiders dropped narrow decisions of 1-0 in double overtime to Cazenovia in 2013, 2-1 to Southampton in 2012 and 1-0 to Pierson/Bridgehamption in 2010.
“We have some players who don’t really know what states really is. There have been times this postseason where I have been asked by some of the younger players if that was the last game. Then we have some who have had the experience of seeing siblings play on this stage and have dreamed about getting their own chance some day,” said Costello. “We are a young team that is taking it all in and is enjoying being part of such a memorable run. It’s exciting to see how they handle things, how they react to both celebrating and also how they handle adversity. It’s a great moment for our program for many reasons. To have States at Will North and be so close to home so that our fans and community can come out and support the team is great. There was an impressive crowd that was extremely loud and behind the team at Regionals. It was awesome. We have a chance to rally the school around this group of 18 girls attempting to do something special. It’s very rewarding to see the support so many have given to this team and our school. You can feel the positive vibes being sent by so many-coaches, athletic directors, players, alumni. It’s incredible!”
The victor advances to the state title game at 3 p.m. Sunday at Williamsville North against the winner of the four time defending champion Whitney Point (Section IV) vs. Hoosick Falls (Section II) semifinal. Whitney Point downed Camden (Section III) 2-0 and Hoosick Falls nipped Pawling (Section X) 1-0 in the regionals.
Youthful Kendall squad set for state semis
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Madison Jacob and her Lady Eagles teammates will face Cincinnatus High in the Class D girls soccer state semifinals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Homer High School.
Looking to keep an outstanding postseason run going Kendall’s underclassmen dominated girls soccer squad will take on Cincinnatus High (Section III) in the state Class D semifinals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Homer High School near Cortland.
Kendall, whose lineup includes seven freshmen, five sophomores, four juniors and only three seniors, advanced to the state semis for the first time since 2003 by nipping North Collins 1-0 in the Far West Regional. The Lady Eagles earned the narrow win on junior Hailee Mitchell’s team leading 27th goal of the season with just 3:48 remaining.
The Lady Eagles, who have given up only two goals and five playoff games, reached the regional by nipping Fillmore 2-1 for the Class D1 title contest and then by downing Hinsdale 2-0 in the Section V Class D state qualifier.
“Getting to the state semi finals is a testament to the drive and passion that this young Kendall team possesses,” said Coach Pam Barchett. “Achieving this level of success really shows my athletes that they can accomplish their goals through hard work and team work, which obviously extends beyond the soccer field.”
In addition to Mitchell’s 27 goals, the Lady Eagles also have freshman Grace Levett with 11, sophomore Brianna Wakefield and freshman Alezya Brown both with 9 and sophomore Lizzy Woodams with 6.
Goalie Katherine Pearson and center defender Lizzie Sutphen, both juniors, anchor the Lady Eagles defense.
Kendall brings a 16-5 record into the semis.
Undefeated Cincinnatus, which has a near perfect 19-0-1 record, defeated Downsville (Section IV) 1-0 in the Central Regional. Cncinnatus has registered 14 shutouts and has allowed a total of just six goals this season.
Senior Delaney Rutan leads the Lady Lions in scoring with 41 goals as eighth grader Kyla Sustad has 21 and senior Montana Wolf 12.
“We’re very optimistic entering this weekend’s State Tournament; we definitely will have to step up our level of play to compete with teams like Cincinnatus (who has only allowed 6 goals all season),” said Barchett. “We are continuing to push our possession game, focusing on creating space by using the width of the field. Hopefully this attacking strategy will pay off for us. Defensively, we’re continuing to refine our game plan and make sure we stay organized in the back field.”
Kendall’s only other appearance in the state semis was in 2003 when the Lady Eagles dropped a narrow 3-2 decision to Elmira Notre Dame. Interestingly, Barchett was a junior starting defender on that team.
The victor will face the winner of the Fort Ann (Section II) vs. Eldred (Section IX) semi in the championship game at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Thompkins Cortland Community College.
Lakemen head N-O All-League soccer team
Contributed Photos – Wilson’s Taylor Carmer, Alex Chiappone and Raph Grizanti.
Five players from champion Wilson head the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League boys soccer squad.
Wilson, which claimed the N-O crown with a 7-2-1 record, is represented by senior midfielders Taylor Carmer and Alex Chiappone, senior defender Jacob Miller, freshman defender Patrick Hemming and senior goalie Ralph Grizanti. Chiappone is a repeat selection.
Carmer scored 13 goals for the Lakemen while Chiappone had 3 goals and 5 assists and Grizanti, who was named N-O Player of the Year, 146 saves in goal.
Wilson’s Patrick Hemming and Jacob Miller and Akron’s Andrew Marsh
Albion, which finished just a game off the pace at 6-3-1, has placed the senior duo of forward Kendyll Hadick and defender Harrison Brown. Haddick had 17 goals and 11 assists and Brown 3 goals.
Newfane, which in third place at 5-3-1, is represented by senior forward Jarrett Gilson (22 goals, 8 assists) and sophomore midfielder Trevor Heschke (12 goals, 16 assists).
Rounding out the first team are Medina/Lyndonville junior defender Nate Sherman (4 goals ,2 assists), Roy-Hart sophomore midfielder Aidan Bligh (10 goals, 5 assists) and Akron senior forward Andrew Marsh (7 goals, 4 assists).
Albion’s Harrison Brown and Kendyll Hadick and Medina/Lyndonville’s Nate Sherman.
Albion sets the pace on the second team with five selections including junior forward Sam Sanchez (8 goals, 2 assists), senior midfielder Nate Scanlan (7 goals, 10 assists), junior midfielder Angel Rosario (5 goals, 12 assists) and senior defenders Spencer Lombard (5 goals, 2 assists) and Tre Yaskulski (1 goal, 3 assists).
Roy-Hart is represented by the trio of sophomore forward Noah Hardy (6 goals, 3 assists), senior defender Clayton Keyes and junior goalie Coby Hancock.
Completing the second team are Medina/Lyndonville sophomore forward Nate Dillenbeck (14 goals, 5 assists), Akron senior midfielder Micah Suckow (4 goals, 7 assists) along with the Wilson duo of senior midfielder Dylan Serrano and junior defender Marcus Schwarzmueller.
Roy-Hart’s Aidan Bligh and Newfane’s Trevor Heschke and Jarrett Gilson
The Honorable Mention honorees were as follows:
Albion – Thomas Hollenbeck, Sr., Leonel Rosario, Sr., Vincent Tarracone, Jr.
Medina/Lyndonville – Jack Whipple, Fr., Kody Leno, Sr., Evan Horn, Jr.
Roy-Hart – Jose Campos, Sr., Trent Choate, Fr., Jacob Fritton, Sr.
Newfane – James DeBiase, Sr., Connor MacEvoy, Jr.
Akron – Riley Trzenski, Sr., Bryce McClaine, Jr.
Wilson – Drew Kepner, Jr., Quinn Rees, Jr., Kierson Skobjak, Sr.
Medina golfers head N-O All-League team
Contributed Photos – Medina’s boys golf All-League players include Aiden Paul, Ian Wagner and Dylan Lonnen.
Capping of a second straight championship season, Medina has placed three players on the Niagara-Orleans boys golf All-League team.
Barker is represented on the All-League team by Jake Harris and Albion by Patrick Ricker.
That trio includes junior Ian Wagner, eighth grader Aiden Paul and seventh grader Dylan Lonnen.
Wagner captured top honors at the All-League Tournament for the second year in a row while Paul placed fourth.
Albion is represented on the all-League team by Patrick Ricker and Barker by Jake Harris, both juniors.
Harris placed third and Ricker fifth at the All-League Tournament.
Wilson’s Patrick Seeley and Akron’s Matt Murzynowski, both juniors, round out the All-League team.
Medina’s Melanie Green heads the girl All-League team.
The second team includes Albion junior Nick Perry, Barker sophomore Shane Gerhardt and Wilson junior Josh Seider along with the Akron quartet of seniors Dylan Krzkowski, Vincent Strollo and Matt Delre and eighth grader Andrew Romesser.
Medina, which posted an 11-0-1 regular season record, repeated as N-O champions by garnering a total of 29 points while runner-up Akron had 26 followed by Wilson with 19, Albion 14, Barker 12, Newfane 6 and Roy-Hart 0.
Medina junior Melanie Green, who placed second at the boys All-League Tournament and helped to key the Mustangs successful title run, heads the N-O girls All-League team. She is the defending Section VI and state girls champion.
The girls All-League team includes Wilson sophomore Lillie Sanborn, Roy-Hart sophomore McCarthy Lang, Wilson junior Allison Davis and Roy-Hart senior Alex Fox, who placed 1-2-3-4 at the girls All-League tournament, and Newfane freshmen Elizabeth Plotner.
Legion grabs Euchre League lead
Legion bested former front-runner Sacred Heart 39-31 Monday to take over the Medina Euchre League lead.
JR Wilson downed Vets Club 41-29 in the other match.
Now on top by four points, Legion is 220-200 on the season followed by Sacred Heart 216-204, JR Wilson 205-215 and Vets Club 199-221.
League competition continues on November 12 with Vets Club at Sacred Heart and JR Wilson at Legion.
G-R soccer All-Star honors for Hawks quartet
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Two of Holley’s four G-R All-Stars are Matt Skehan, left, and Erik Balys.
Holley has placed four players on the Genesee Region League boys soccer All-Star team.
The Hawks senior quartet includes forwards Matt Wilson and John Mounts along with defenders Erik Balys and Matt Skehan.
Kendall is represented on the All-Star team by senior midfielder Mickey Gardner.
Wilson led Holley in scoring with 16 goals and 10 assists while Mounts had 6 goals and 2 assists, Balys 2 goals and 6 assists and Skehan 1 goal.
Gardner scored 5 goals for Kendall.
Holley, which went 5-3 in the league and 10-6-2 overall, also had four players earn Honorable Mention including senior defender Kory Puente, junior midfielder Kohl Morgan and sophomore midfielders Kayden Servais and Nathan Nothnagle.
Servais had 7 goals and 2 assists and Morgan 5 goals and 4 assists.
Kendall’s senior duo of forward Nate Warters and defender John Rath also both earned Honorable Mention.
Warters had 5 goals and 2 assists and Rath 2 goals and 1 assist.
The local Genesee Region League soccer All-Stars contingent also includes, from left, Mickey Gardner (Kendall), John Mounts (Holley) and Matt Wilson (Holley).
NCCC cagers romp to cap 2-0 weekend
Roaring out to a whopping 45-4 first quarter lead, the Niagara County Community College women’s basketball team went on to romp past host Northampton Community College 121-26 this afternoon to complete a 2-0 weekend on the road.
Three former Niagara-Orleans League players contributed to the NCCC attack as Newfane graduate Paige Emborsky scored 22, Roy-Hart grad Ellie Todd 11 and Albion grad Caitlynn Snook 10.
Kenetria Redferm (Cheektowga) led the way with 27 points as the Thunderwolves also had 33 assists as a team.
NCCC next hosts its Tip Off Classic next Saturday and Sunday.
Kendall, Barker enjoyed a Super Saturday
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall players and coaches celebrate after capturing the Class D Far West Regional soccer championship Saturday with a thrilling 1-0 victory over North Collins at Webster Thomas High School. Hailee Mitchell’s team leading 27th goal of the season with just 3:48 remaining earned Kendall the victory sending the Lady Eagles to the state semifinals for the first time since 2003. Kendall will face Central Regional champion Cincinnatus High from Section III in the semis at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Homer High School near Cortland. Kendall is 16-5 and Cincinnatus 20-0. Cincinnatus edged Downsville (Section IV) 1-0 in the Central Regional. The other state semi will match Fort Ann (Section II) vs. Parishville-Hopinton (Section X). The state championship game will be held at 10:30 a.m. next Sunday at Thompkins Cortland Community College.
Barker players and coaches celebrate after nipping East Rochester 4-3 in an overtime thriller for the Class C Far West Regional field hockey championship Saturday at Penfield High School. Katrina Clare made her milestone 30th goal of the season, and third of the evening, a huge one as she scored with just 1:30 remaining in the first overtime period to give Barker the win and advance the Lady Raiders to the state semifinals for the third time in the last seven years. Barker, which is now 17-3, will face Carle Place (Section VIII) in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Saturday at Williamsville North. Carle Place bested Pierson (Section XI) 7-0 in the Long Island Regional. The other state semi will have Whitney Point (Section IV) vs. Hoosick Falls (Section II) also at 3 p.m. The state championship game will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Williamsville North.
