Trio of wins completes N-O semifinal sweep

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Newfane’s Erica Flagler winds up for the shot that netted the winning goal during this evening’s B-2 semifinal at Williamsville North as Lilly Schnell comes in to defend for Olean.

The Niagara-Orleans League completed a four game sweep of the Section VI Class B-1 and B-2 girls soccer playoffs with victories by Newfane, Akron and Wilson this evening at Williamsville North.

N-O champion second seeded Newfane needed double overtime to down No. No. 6 Olean 4-2 in a B-1 semi. The Lady Panthers will now face No. 8 Albion, a 2-1 victor over No. 5 Alden, for the B-1 title at 11 a.m. Satuday at Williamsville North.

In the Class B-2 semis No. 2 Akron defeated No. 3 Southwestern 4-1 and No. 4 Wilson downed No. 8 Fredonia 2-1.

Newfane grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half as Emily Foltz scored off an assist from Kaylee Daniels.

However, Olean battled back to force overtime when Calista Heister scored with 13:14 remaining in the second half.

Olean then took a quick 2-1 lead in the first minute and a half of the first 10 minute overtime period but Newfane battled back to retie the contest when Foltz scored with just 1:17 remaining.

The Lady Panthers then regained the lead for good when Erica Flagler scored with 3:04 remaining in the second overtime.  Foltz then put a lock on the victory when she scored with just 1:56 remaining again off an assist from Daniels.

Akron likewise took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by Kara Sequin.

The Lady Tigers boosted that advantage to 3-0 in the first 20 minutes of the second half as Jenna Robnett scored off an assist from Sequin and then Sequin tallied again from Maggie Leeds.

Southwestern did cut the deficit to 3-1 but Akron got that one right back 30 seconds later as Amanda Swader scored off an assist from Sequin.

Wilson used first half goals by Chaylee Wilson and Madelyn Austin to earn the 2-1 win over Fredonia whose lone goal came on a penalty kick with 8:25 to go in the second half.

Akron will now face Wilson for the B-2 title at 1 p.m. Saturday at Williamsville North.

During the N-O season Akron and Wilson split a pair of meetings by the identical score of 1-0.

Akron’s duo of MacKenzie O’Brien (10) and Ava Martina try to get control of the ball from Southwestern’s Hannah Sholl during the Lady Tigers B-2 semifinal win this evening at Williamsville North.

Wilson’s Skyler Munnikhuysen runs past Fredonia defender Caelin Holt during the Lakewomen’s B-2 semifinal win this evening at Williamsville North.