In less than two hours, the Liverpool girls soccer team deflated the myth of defensive invincibility the Baldwinsville Bees had built up for a full month.
With a patient, relentless attack and some good bounces, the Warriors again established its status as the Class AA championship favorite last Saturday with a 2-0 victory over B’ville at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium.
Prior to that game, the Bees had won 10 in a row, all by shutouts. It had not allowed a goal in four weeks, dating back to its opener, a Sept. 2 loss to West Genesee.
A defensive battle was expected — and delivered, at least in the first half. Kaitlyn Flynn tailed B’ville’s high-scoring forward, Quincy Spagnoletti, throughout the afternoon, never allowing her an open look. Fellow defenders Emily McElroy, Amanda Pollock and Alicia Vollmer were just as good.
So it went to the second half 0-0, but when it got the wind at its backs, the Warriors began to attack with more regularity, exploiting small chinks in the Bees’ defensive armor.
Mainly, it found that the Bees would always double-team Gabby Racines, leaving others open for shots. One of those double teams led to B’ville fouling Racines in the 52nd minute, turning the entire game around.
On the ensuing free kick from the right side, Christina Ippolito found McElroy up front. McElroy’s shot clanged off the right post, but came right back to her, and she poked the rebound past Jordan Clary, the first goal B’ville had allowed in four weeks.
Refusing to let up, the Warriors got the insurance goal in the 64th minute when Racines, off a good left feed from Jill Benoit, used a rare opening in the middle to rip a shot off the left bar and into the net.
Three days prior to the duel with B’ville, Liverpool put up some of its most gaudy numbers in last Wednesday’s game against Henninger, resulting in a 7-0 romp over the Black Knights.
Seven different players took turns scoring as Flynn, Racines, Tyler Ash, Ippolito, Jessica Stagnitta, Pollock and Jordan Miller all joined in with goals. Racines, Ippolito and Ashley Rosenbarker earned assists.
After hosting Rome Free Academy on Tuesday, the Warriors have a big road trip Thursday to meet red-hot Auburn, who came into the week with a 10-1 record. Liverpool also hosts Section V power Rochester Aquinas on Saturday at 11 a.m., and the Irish just beat Cicero-North Syracuse 2-0 last weekend.
