Westhill’s girls soccer team may be poised for a big move in the homestretch, if last Saturday’s 5-0 shutout of Jordan-Elbridge provided any indication.
All told, the Warriors took 23 shots, keeping the ball in the Eagles’ end most of the afternoon and steadily working its way to a 3-0 halftime edge with a lot of balance.
Five different players – Kasey Fagan, Lindsey Lippert, Brenna Rainone, Brianna Helfield and Kelly Lippert – came up with the five goals. Bethany Hemmes joined Lindsey Lippert in the assist column. Combined, J-E goalies Kathryn Stevenson and Kaylee Olmstead combined for 18 saves.
Long before they got together, Westhill and J-E both had earned wins in distinctly different manners.
The Warriors had to go through a tense, close affair in last Tuesday’s trip to Cazenovia before emerging with a 1-0 victory over the Lakers at the Fenner Street complex.
When Kelly Lippert put home an unassisted goal in the first half, the Warriors believed it would have more production before it was done. But in the cold, wet and sloppy conditions, Westhill saw its numerous charges thwarted, as Laker goalie Jamie Enders recorded 22 saves.
Thus, Westhill’s defense had to come through – and it did. Back-line players like Paige Rogers and Alyssa Cywilko constantly broke up the Lakers’ charges, and goalie Grace Powers put together 10 saves to preserve her shutout.
Meanwhile, J-E was going to Hannibal and was locked in the same close contest – but broke out in the second half and beat the Warriors 5-1.
The two sides played through a 1-1 first half. J-E took over, though, by landing four unanswered goals in the second half, as Carrie-Jo Farrugia led the late charge, scoring twice and adding an assist.
In support, Tia Segretto had a goal and two assists, while Alexis Rouse gained one goal and one assist. Kelsey Soderberg landed the other goal as Mallory Snyder contributed an assist. Kathryn Stevenson stopped 11 of the 12 shots she faced.
J-E’s boys soccer team lost 2-0 to Cazenovia on Thursday afternoon. Josh Alley made 12 saves and blanked the Lakers until the second half, when Tom Mackowiak notched both of his team’s goals to make the difference. Then the Eagles lost 4-1 to Solvay despite Joe Mills’ second-half goal and Alley earning 10 saves.
As the Eagles go to Marcellus and Cazenovia late this week, Westhill can look forward to a trip Thursday to play defending Class A champion Jamesville-DeWitt – this after meeting Hannibal.
