Looking back on the top sports stories of 2023 1- Lady Hawks reach state soccer semis

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley players celebrate capturing the Far West Regional title which propelled them to the state semifinals.

It was an historic, record setting season for the Holley girls varsity soccer team as the Lady Hawks not only ended a 30 year sectional title drought but went on to capture their first Section V state qualifier win and Far West Regional victory to gain a berth in the state Class C semifinals.

With the entire starting lineup back from the 2022 squad which reached the Section V Class C final, Holley was in a strong position to achieve a big season and the Lady Hawks certainly capitalized.

First, making up for that C1 final loss last year, Holley claimed the crown by edging Williamson 2-1 on a pair of goals by Samantha Bates for the Lady Hawks first sectional title since 1994.

Holley then avenged a regular season loss by nipping Genesee Region League foe Byron-Bergen 3-2 in overtime in the Section V Class C state qualifier game as Bates scored both the tying and winning goals gaining the Lady Hawks their first trip to the state playoffs.

Keeping the momentum, Holley made a sparkling debut in the state playoffs by blanking Section VI champion Frewsburg 2-0 in the Far West Regional as Bates netted both goals.

That victory propelled Holley to the state semifinals at Homer High School near Cortland where Capital District Region champion Waterford-Halfmoon ended Holley’s memorable postseason run by downing the Lady Hawks 3-0.