A trio of area girls soccer teams swept through their opening games of the 2010 season on Friday afternoon, each of them impressive in their own way.
In the OHSL Liberty division, Westhill edged past Skaneateles 2-1, while Solvay went to Cazenovia and recorded a 5-0 rout. Bishop Ludden also prevailed, taking out Faith Heritage 2-0.
A perennial soccer power, Westhill returns a strong core of talented players from 2009, and many of them played central roles against Skaneateles.
Brenna Rainone and Molly Kiggins earned the goals as the Warriors claimed a 1-0 halftime lead, then stayed out in front despite Carly Davis tallying for the Lakers. Kelly Ristoff added an assist. Samantha Peebles recorded seven saves.
Solvay, seeking to move up and challenge the likes of Westhill and Marcellus in the OHSL Liberty division this fall, made a loud early statement at the Fenner Street complex against Cazenovia.
The Bearcats roared to a 2-0 lead by halftime, then kept pulling away behind Alexis Bandera, who finished with two goals and one assist.
Lauren Lucio, McKenzie Moore and Kayla Perotti also put in goals, with Tessa Pucello and Jenna Poplowski adding assists. Goalie Chelsea Root stopped all 16 shots she faced.
Bishop Ludden comes off a 2009 season where it won the Section III Class C-2 championship before losing to eventual state finalist Sauquoit Valley in the overall Class C final.
Looking for that kind of success again, the Gaelic Knights met a stern test in Faith Heritage, but used a single goal in each half to subdue the Saints.
Shelby Hunter and Kelly Granteed scored, both of them unassisted goals. Meaghan McGrath preserved the shutout, picking up seven saves.
