A busy and important week for West Genesee’s soccer teams culminated in key weekend showdowns against Cicero-North Syracuse.
At Gillette Field Friday night, the boys Wildcats took its shot at the Northstars, and stayed close all the way – but still lost in a 1-0 decision.
Forced into a defensive mode for much of the night, WG kept it 0-0 for a while as Dylan Condon recorded nine saves. But CNS broke through in the second half, notching the game’ only goal when Darren Cooper scored off a feed from Miles Crouse.
With just three shots to its credit, the Wildcats could not answer as its record fell to 9-4. But at least that game had a result – unlike the girls game on Saturday that saw WG and CNS play to a 0-0 draw.
To its credit, the Wildcats took twice as many shots as the Northstars, but could not convert on any of them, victimized by Miranda Tanner’s eight saves. Thus, 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime went without a decision.
For the boys Wildcats (9-4), the week started with a trip to Central Square and a hard-fought match that produced a 2-0 victory over the Red Hawks.
WG possessed the ball most of the time, and it got them on the board in the first half as, twice, Stefanos Stamoulacatos ripped shots past Central Square goalie Michael Walczyk. Jake Sutherland got credit for an assist.
For the rest of the night, the Wildcats protected that two-goal margin, its defense holding the Red Hawks to a scant two shots.
Back home Wednesday night, the Wildcats took apart Oswego in the second half of a 5-1 decision. For a long while, the Buccaneers hung in there, only trailing 1-0 at the break, but once that was done WG began to find the net with regularity.
Stamoulacatos picked up a goal and two assists as Sutherland found the net twice. Logan Dirk and Bojan Topalovic both added their own goals as Ryan Ivers and Ryan Tinklepaugh chimed in with assists.
WG’s girls were well-rested when the week started. It had not played in 12 days, since a Sept. 22 loss to Liverpool, prior to last Monday’s home game against Central Square.
But the Wildcats were not out of synch, as it showed in a 7-0 romp over the Red Hawks. In the first half, WG attacked often – and converted often, steadily building a 5-0 lead.
Julie Dussing and Nicole Bello each scored twice, part of a balanced attack where Erica Geremia and Melissa Fumano both contributed one goal and one assist. Jessica Swindon also had a goal, while Brianna Corcoran earned an assist.
In Wednesday night’s game at Oswego, a quick start again proved vital as the Wildcats beat the Buccaneers 3-1. WG’s pressure led to a 2-0 edge, and the defense made sure that Oswego did not get too close.
Geremia led her side, scoring twice, while Kara Datellas stepped up to earn the other goal. Despite a late goal by Courtney Lewis, the Bucs only managed five shots against the Wildcats’ stout defense.
Following the CNS games (which left the girls Wildcats at 5-3-2), West Genesee’s soccer sides will take on Corcoran and Nottingham in this, the next-to-last week of the regular season.