Veteran Albion girls soccer squad set to open N-O season

Photo by Mike Wertman – Veteran members of the Albion girls varsity soccer team include, in front, Jacia Schick, Ally Page, Monica Bonjovsky, Mariah Elsenheimer and Emily Blanchard. In back are Kellie O’Hearn, Mandi Covis, Mikayla Yaskulski, Ashley Hapeman , Ellen Narburgh, Justice Nauden and Jayne Bannister.

A dozen veterans return to anchor the lineup for the Albion High girls varsity soccer squad which opens Niagara-Orleans League competition on September 2 at Barker.

Junior forward Mariah Elsenheimer, who earned second team N-O All-League honors last fall, along with senior defender/midfielders Mandi Covis and Monica Benjovsky, who were both honorable mention selections, head that large veteran contingent.

That group also includes seniors Ashley Hapeman (defender), Kellie O’Hearn (defender), Justice Nauden (goalie) and Jayne Bannister (midfield/goalie) along with juniors Ally Page (forward), Jacia Schick (defender), Mikayla Yaskulski (forward), Ellen Narburgh (defender/goalie) and sophomore Emily Blanchard (midfielder).

The Purple Eagles senior group also includes defender Cristal Quintana.

Elsenheimer had 17 goals and 10 assists, Blanchard 8 goals and 7 assists, Yaskulski 7 goals and 2 assists and Page 4 goals and 2 assists last season.

“We have talent and some depth and the potential is there to be very good” said Coach Bruce Blanchard. “But we lost some quality kids to graduation so the girls have to step up to fill some big shoes.”

The Purple Eagles key graduation losses include defender Kelsey Schmitt, a first team N-O All-League selection, forward Abby Squicciarini (18 goals, 7 assists) and defender Arianna Smith, both second team N-O All-Leaguers, and midfielders Kayla Doyle (9 goals, 6 assists) and Kendall Piccirilli.

“A key will be how well we play defensively, as we’ll be young there, but we have good speed, quickness and ball skills,” said Blanchard. “We have a lot of speed and talent back we just have to play together.”

Albion went 9-5 in N-O action and 11-7 overall last season.

Albion’s Schedule

Sept. 2 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 – Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – at CSAT, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 20 – Kendall, 10 a.m.
Sept. 22 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 – at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 27 – Barker, 10 a.m.
Sept. 30 – at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 – CSAT, 3 p.m.
Oct. 7 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Akron, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 15 – Medina, 6:30 p.m.