Even with the six-game win streak it possessed, the West Genesee girls soccer team knew that its path toward possible glory lay in defeating two sides it had battled with – and lost to – in September.
Both would come to Camillus for the Wildcats’ last two games of the regular season, starting last Thursday when 11-1 Fayetteville-Manlius did so last Monday and continuing with this Wednesday’s battle with Baldwinsville.
The game with F-M was an exercise in frustration as WG played superb defense, yet didn’t reward that effort with many real scoring chances in a 1-0 defeat.
Having only lost to the Hornets 2-1 when they first met in September, WG was a bit short-handed in this rematch, especially after an injury sidelined midfielder Chrissy Van Allen.
Yet the Wildcats’ back line remained strong and intact. Madison Van Dyke, Katrina Tessier, Julia Matticio and Ani Castro took most of the space away from F-M’s forwards and easily handled the corner kicks and free kicks the Hornets created.
However, in the 31st minute, one turnover led to the Hornets’ lone goal, by Lauren Clark, and despite six saves from Liz Croft and Caitlin Mills, the Wildcats rarely were able to produce a consistent attack of its own, with some late chances turned aside.
WG tuned up last Tuesday by going to Bragman Stadium and, after falling behind in the first half, taking charge against Cicero-North Syracuse and ultimately beating the Northstars 3-1.
That 1-0 halftime deficit vanished thanks to the trio of Emma Nelson, Eva Poissant and Emily Dunning, each of whom recorded goals. Meanwhile, the defense settled in, too, Croft and Mills combining for seven saves.
Meanwhile, in the Class B ranks, Marcellus and Westhill continued to maneuver in advance of their sectional playoff appearances, each of them gaining lopsided victories over Jordan-Elbridge on consecutive nights.
Westhill went first, handling the Eagles 9-0 on Wednesday as the trio of Erica Gangemi, Ciarra Rudnick and Mia Herrera each scored twice. Ashley Bolesh, Grace McMahon and Keegan Taber got single goals as Olivia Bolesh contributed two assists. Hannah Thayer, Stephanie Falcone and Kaylin Battista had single assists.
Marcellus met Jordan-Elbridge Thursday night and got to double digits in a 10-0 victory, with Sara Mielnicki gaining three goals fro a hat trick and adding an assist.
Sarah Fallon converted twice, with Hannah Durand earning three assists. Sam Wynne, Shannon Kellar, Katie MacLachlan and Lily Locrasto had one goal apiece, with Taylor Smith joining Locastro in the assist column.
Skaneateles is also playoff-bound, clinching that sectional spot last Tuesday with a tough 1-0 win at Phoenix where Maddy Ramsgard’s goal was the only tally of the afternoon.
In Saturday’s game against Christian Brothers Academy, the Lakers pulled out a 1-1 draw thanks to Ramsgard’s second-half goal, which answered a first-half tally from the Brothers’ Kennedy Paciaga. Goalies McKenna Len and Madison Steen combined for five saves.
Solvay lost, 1-0, to Mexico last Monday afternoon. Though Bearcats goalie Nancy Gonzales had 15 saves, Chloe LaDuc managed to put one past her in the second half and none of Solvay’s 10 shots got past Tigers goalie Briana Urquhart.
Against Cazenovia on Wednesday, Solvay again was kept off the board, taking a 2-0 defeat. Gonzales and Haley Muehl combined for 13 saves, yet the Lakers used goals by Lili Gavitt and Caitlin Smithers to move out in front.
To start its week, Bishop Ludden fell 4-0 to Fabius-Pompey last Tuesday as Anna Osborn had two of the Falcons’ goals. But the Gaelic Knights edged Pulaski 1-0 on Thursday as Sara Boyea’s goal made the difference.
