Tourney opening week up coming for Albion

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 August 2021 at 9:23 am

Photos by Mike Wertman – New Albion girls varsity soccer Coach Bridgette Varin meets here with the Purple Eagles returning All-League honorees. In front are Aly Knaak, Emily Harling and Kenzi Hapeman. In back are Coach Varin, Abby Scanlan, Leah Pritchard, Sydney Mulka and Charley London.

Both the Albion girls and boys varsity soccer teams will compete in season opening tournaments this coming week with new coaches at the helm.

Bridgette Varin is coaching the girls’ team and Caleb Orbaker is guiding the boys’ squad.

The Albion girls squad will host Starpoint at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the opening round of the Purple Eagles Tournament which will conclude on Saturday.

The Albion boys team will take on Alden at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first round of the Holley Tournament which will conclude on Thursday.

The Albion girls squad is anchored by seven players who earned Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last year. That senior group includes forward Abby Scanlan and goalie Sydney Mulka who both earned first team honors, defender Aly Knaak and midfielder Leah Pritchard who were second team selections along with defenders Emily Harling and Charley London and midfielder Kenzi Hapeman who all received Honorable Mention.

The Purple Eagles, which went 7-3 in N-O competition last year also return experience in seniors Nikki Creasey, Aurora Serafin, Olivia Bieber, Bonnie DiCureia and Elisa Bropst.

Looking to rebound from last year’s 0-10 N-O campaign, the Purple Eagles return over a dozen players including seniors Carson Bader, Sawyer Braley, Jeff Brown, Orion Groth, Kyle Kuehn, Riley Hollenbeck, Jack Ludwick, Josh Martin, Aiden Smith, Presley Smith, Blake Stornelli, Kyle VanAmeron and junior Caleb Hyde.

Both Albion teams are scheduled to open the N-O season on September 8 against Newfane with the girls away (4:30 p.m.) and the boys home (6:45 p.m.).

New Albion boys varsity soccer Coach Caleb Orbaker meets here with the Purple Eagles returnees. In front are Carson Bader, Caleb Hyde, Kyle Vanameron, Josh Martin, Orion Groth, Jack Ludwick and Kyle Kuehne. In back are Blake Stornelli, Declan McCue, Aiden Smith, Jeff Brown, Presley Smith, Sawyer Braley and Coach Orbaker.