Veteran laden Albion girls soccer team looks to keep momentum from strong 2017 finish

Photo by Mike Wertman – Returning regulars on the Albion girls varsity soccer team include, in front, Chantel VanDeGenachte, Alexis Bentley, Brylie Hapeman, Lexi Wolck and Claire Squicciarini. In back are Mariah Plain, Kendall Derisley, Abby Pappalardo, Lexi Creasey, Sydney Mulka and Paige Derisley.

Looking to keep the momentum from last fall’s strong postseason run, the Albion girls soccer team heads into this season bolstered by a large group of 11 returning regulars.

That contingent, which helped Albion reach the sectional finals for the first time in program history last fall, includes seniors Brylie Hapeman (forward), Chantel VanDeGenacht (midfield), Lexi Wolck (midfield) and Alexis Bentley (defender); juniors Mariah Plain (midfield), Alexis Creasey (defender), Abby Pappalardo (midfield), Kendall Derisley (midfield) and Paige Derisley (defender) along with sophomore Claire Squicciarini (forward) and freshman Sydney Mulka (goalie).

Hapeman, who earned first team Niagara-Orleans League honors, scored 19 goals and had 5 assists while Squicciarini had 9 goals and 5 assists, Plain 7 goals and Kendall Derisley 4 goals. Kendall and Paige Derisley both earned All League Honorable Mention.

The Purple Eagles also return varsity experience in seniors Sarah Gregori (defender) and Maya Reyes-Rosario (midfield) and freshmen Abby Scanlan (forward), Leah Pritchard (defender) and Ally Knaak (defender).

“We’ve got a real good returning group and we’re really excited to pick up where we left off last year,” said Coach Maggie Orbaker who guided the Purple Eagles to a 6-4-2 league and 11-7-2 overall record in her first year at the helm. “They really are a hard working group. We’re looking forward to the season.”

The Purple Eagles graduation losses included midfielder Elisabeth Baker and defender Natalie DiCureia.

Albion is scheduled to open the season by visiting Roy-Hart for an N-O contest on August 28.

The Purple Eagles early season schedule also includes competing in the Kendall Tournament on September 6 and 8.

Schedule
August: 28 – at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; 29 – at Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m.; 31 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
September: 6 and 8 – at Kendall Tournament; 10 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; 13 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.; 17- Lockport, 6:45 p.m.; 19 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; 22 – Roy-Hart, 5 p.m.; 24 – at Alexander, 4:30 p.m.; 28 – Akron, 6:45 p.m.
October: 2 – Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; 6 – at Wilson, 10 a.m.; 10 – Barker, 6:30 p.m.; 12 – Keshequa at GCC 7:30 p.m.