Perhaps some respect is returning to the Jamesville-DeWitt girls soccer team, just as it turns its attention to the quest for a fifth straight Section III Class A title.
With just one defeat on its card, the Red Rams moved back up to the no. 11 spot in the state Class A rankings. More importantly, all of its potent pieces appear to be sliding into shape in time for the latest post-season appearance.
J-D went to 7-4-3 Homer last Tuesday night and, mostly on the basis of a big effort from sophomore Paige Sherling, took apart the Trojans in a 5-0 shutout.
Even though the Rams had beaten Homer 4-1 back on Sept. 20, it didn’t take anything for granted on the road, roaring to a 2-0 edge by halftime and going even further, mainly thanks to Sherling.
Nothing the Trojans’ defense tried worked against Sherling, who poured in a season-best four goals. Caroline Kopp also found the net, while Ciara Norris got credit for an assist. Then J-D’s defense made that big advantage stick up, Alli Butler turning back all seven shots she faced.
A night later, Christian Brothers Academy went up against East Syracuse-Minoa, and the result was an exciting first half where the Brothers went out in front, and would manage to keep that advantage the rest of the way to beat the Spartans 4-2.
All of the production came in the first half. ESM found some success as Sarah Britton twice found the net and Caitlin Gagen earned an assist, but CBA had ample answers as Eva Gordon earned two goals, with Emily Ehle and Hailey Dobbins also finding the net.
But as loud as the first half was, the second half was just that quiet. The Brothers were unable to get away, but the Spartans were just as incapable of catching up. Sarah DeJohn, in defeat, had 10 saves for ESM as CBA goalie Lindsey Evans had five saves.
J-D returned to action Friday, providing modest production but still defeating Mexico 3-0 as it spread the production around. Sherling scored again, but so did Emily Hauser and Alex Catanzarite, with Amber Hyatt and Allie Balotin each picking up assists. Only the work of Tigers goalie Sabrina Adams, who made 17 saves, kept it from getting more lopsided.
Then, on Saturday, CBA shut out Chittenango 3-0, all due to Gordon, who scored twice in the first half and added another goal in the second half for the hat trick. Ehle added an assist as the Brothers would take an 11-4 mark into Monday’s regular-season finale against Fulton.
ESM, meanwhile, shook off the CBA defeat by edging Cortland 2-1 on Saturday. All of the goals came in the first half as Britton notched one goal and assisted on the other, by Marissa Greiner. Julie Steinhauer also had an assist as the Spartans’ defense maintained that slim edge throughout the second half.
On Sunday, the sectional playoff pairings came out. As expected, J-D drew the top seed in Class A, and will play Thursday in the quarterfinals against no. 8 seed Carthage or no. 9 seed Fulton.
As the no. 7 seed, ESM would host no. 10 seed Homer in the first round, looking to advance to Friday’s quarterfinal against no. 2 seed Central Valley Academy.
Meanwhile, CBA, again moving up to Class AA, drew the no. 2 seed, and would host no. 7 seed Rome Free Academy in Wednesday night’s quarterfinal, with the winner getting Baldwinsville or Auburn in next week’s semifinals.
