While it certainly knew what kind of talent and promise it had on hand for 2020, the East Syracuse Minoa girls soccer team found a way to exceed high expectations.
The Spartans played 11 games – and won them all, only denied a chance at a climactic performance when its last game against Jamesville-DeWitt was canceled over more COVID-19 concerns.
A week earlier, on Nov. 6, ESM had gone through a close call against Auburn, but held off the Maroons 2-1.
Midway through the first half, Lena Polcaro’s goal, assisted by Leah Rehm, got the Spartans on the board, but Auburn pulled even early in the second half when Brooke Reynolds converted.
Maroons goalie Bryn Whitman protected things well, making 13 saves. But with 10 minutes left in regulation, an Auburn foul inside the 18-yard box led to a penalty kick that Abby Hudgins converted.
More suspense came in last Monday’s game against Central Square, who nearly kept the Spartans off the board, yet culd not score itself as ESM pulled it out 1-0.
Rehm, assisted by Polcaro, got the Spartans in front. Turning everything else back, Redhawks goalie Samantha Haley had 17 saves, but none of Central Square’s seven shots eluded Isabelle Chavoustie.
Back on Nov. 6, J-D won 3-0 over Cortland, seeing Megan Baker notch a pair of goals and Brooke Bort also find the net. Rori Leach twice got assists, with Lindsey Hildreth adding a single assist.
But a day later the Rams lost 4-2 to Central Square, who avenged its defeat to J-D in the 2019 Section III Class A final.
Despite goals by Brooke Hulbert and Emma Sutherland, the Rams squandered a 1-0 halftime lead as the Redhawks’ Emma Herrmann recorded a three-goal hat trick to lead her side. Lauren Parker finished with eight saves.
A 2-1 defeat to Auburn followed last Tuesday, this despite the Rams getting the early lead when Lily Linder converted on a breakaway, her goal assisted by Brooke Hulbert.
Brooke Reynolds tied it for the Maroons late in the half, and early in the second half Amelia Bartolotta’s header edged Auburn in front, where it stayed thanks to seven saves from Bryn Whitman. Parker got nine saves.
Fayetteville-Manlius also lost on Nov. 7, the Hornets falling victim to an undefeated side from New Hartford who blanked the Hornets 3-0.
F-M managed six shots, all stopped by Mia Allen and Savannah Cole, and New Hartford broke through with Anna Rayhill scoring twice and Willa Pratt adding a goal.
Bishop Grimes and Manlius-Pebble Hill went head-to-head on Nov. 7, and the Cobras got the best of it, earning a 2-0 victory over the Trojans.
Jenna Sloan and Kate Murphy put in the goals for Grimes, with Mary Kate Tweedale adding an assist. Saba Famasa stopped all seven shots she faced as MPH goalie Mira Fadda-Conrey had nine saves.
