Back in Central New York following its big win in the Clarence Tournament on Aug. 28-29, the Baldwinsville girls soccer team was bent on repeating that form closer to home – and did, regardless of what was put in front of them.
The Bees faced Auburn in last Tuesday’s home opener at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium. For a brief moment, the Maroons threatened, but B’ville’s rapid answer provided the key to a 3-1 victory.
Having scored early in the first half, the Bees were trying to extend that margin when Auburn’s Bridget Cuddy pushed a shot into the net, tying it at 1-1.
But as often happens in soccer, the most opportune time to convert is right after an opponent’s goal, and B’ville did so within less than 30 seconds, moving back in front to stay.
Late in the second half, the Bees tacked on an insurance goal, having seen Bella May, Mackenzie Schaffner and Addison Hornsey each convert once, with Carolyn Brussel and Liz Wiecik picking up assists.
On Saturday afternoon, B’ville met Section II power Bethlehem, who had scored 13 goals in its opener against Schenectady earlier in the week and had beaten Cicero-North Syracuse 2-1 the night before.
Here, though, the Bees would prevail over the Eagles 1-0 in overtime when May scored late in the second of two 10-minute extra periods, marking the second time in as many weeks B’ville had defeated a 2014 state Class AA final four team.
Hot, sunny and humid conditions drained both teams, who used frequent substitutions from the opening minutes onward in an attempt to stay fresh, which didn’t always work.
In fact, for large segments of regulation, the Bees would park in Bethlehem’s end, looking for a breakthrough. But the Eagles’ back line met that challenge, and goalie Miranda Miriziano made three good stops in the second half.
On the other end, whenever Bethlehem threatened, defenders Gabbie George, Katie Weaver and Gabbie Piontkowski turned things back, while goalies Mackenzie Hanna and Julia George made six saves between them.
Regulation ended 0-0, as did a first OT period where, again, the Bees swarmed and, again, the Eagles resisted. Then, with just 3:54 left in the second OT, Hornsey crossed from the left corner and May, who had missed on some earlier opportunities, hit a touch shot that eluded Miriziano and found the net for the game-winner.
B’ville is home again on Wednesday to take on Fayetteville-Manlius, looking for five in a row.
