Medina girls set for tourney opener

Photo by Mike Wertman – Medina’s large group of veteran players includes, in front, Martha Gardner, Kylie Bielak, Destiny Satkowski, Hannah Adams and Morgan Roach. In back are Ashley Howell, Cora Payne, Olivia Carter, Madeline Winters, Kati Young and Katie Biliki. Missing from the photo is Melanie Hibbard.

Medina will get an early start to the girls soccer season as the Mustangs will face the host Lady Warriors Friday in the opening round of the Tonawanda Tournament.

The Mustangs return a large contingent of 11 players from last year’s squad which went 4-8-2 in Niagara-Orleans League action and 5-9-2 overall. That group includes seniors Martha Gardner (midfield), Hannah Adams (forward), Morgan Roach (defender), Katie Biliki (defender), Kati Young (goalie) and Madeline Winters (defender) along with juniors Destiny Satkowki (forward) and Kylie Bielak (defender); sophomores Cora Payne (defender), Melanie Hibbard (defender), Ashley Howell (defender) and freshman Olivia Carter (midfield).

Satkowski, who earned second team N-O All-League honors, led the Mustangs in scoring with 20 goals and 5 assists as Gardner had 3 goals and a team leading 16 assists.

“We’re looking to build on last year,” said Coach Mike Lepkyj.

The Mustangs key losses to graduation include goalie Emma Gardner and forwards Allison Bensley and Andrea Toussaint.

Medina is scheduled to open the N-O season at home on September 2 against Akron.

Schedule
August: 26 and 27 – at Tonawanda Tournament; 29 – at Cheektowaga, 10 a.m.
September: 2 – Akron, 4:45 p.m.; 6 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 12 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 15 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.; 17 – at Newfane, 9 a.m.; 21 – Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; 27 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; 30 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
October: 1 – at Lyndonville, 1:30 p.m.; 4 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 6 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; 8 – at Albion, 10 a.m.; 12 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.