ONONDAGA COUNTY – While they both still have plenty of skill and talent on hand, the Marcellus and Westhill girls soccer teams are still battling for consistency early in the 2021 season.
In the Sept. 3 final of the Fulton Tournament, the Mustangs escaped a classic with Watertown, a game where Kaitlyn Worden scored on an indirect free kick and Tatum Overton converted on a penalty kick.
In the shootout to determine the title, JoJo Leubner made two key stops to give Marcellus the title. All told, she had 14 saves, including one on another Overton penalty kick during regulation.
Then, challenging itself against Christian Brothers Academy last Tuesday night at Alibrandi Stadium, the Mustangs would take its first defeat of the season, falling 3-1 to the Brothers, who scored twice in the first half to move out in front.
Westhill prevailed in its season opener Sept. 3 at Holland Patent, yet another game that went to overtime before the Warriors, converting in the second OT, were able to edge the Golden Knights 2-1.
Elle Herrera had a part in both scoring plays, one in the second half and again in the second extra period. Jules Bleskoski had the other goal, with Frankie Argentieri assisting on Herrera’s tally as Kate Bendall made five saves.
But Westhill had a setback last Tuesday, falling 1-0 to Liverpool. Held to just three shots all night, Westhill could not answer a first-half goal by Liverpool’s Alexa Marsh.
Skaneateles, who had lost to West Genesee on Aug. 31, got into the win column two days later when it hosted Lansing at Hyatt Stadium and broke out in a big way during a 7-1 victory.
Kathryn Morrissey led the way with a three-goal hat trick, while Maddy Ramsgard and Isabella Arroyo both got two assists. Maeve McNeil, Reese Gadis, Anna McGlynn and Paige Willard had one goal apiece as Kate Coyne and Kathleen Reed also earned assists.
Then, challenging Clinton last Wednesday night, the Lakers lost 2-1, with McGlynn netting her team’s lone goal, assisted by Morrissey. Madison Luke and Avery Maxam converted for Clinton.
Skaneateles played another large-school side on Saturday and lost, 4-1, to Cicero-North Syracuse, with Maeve McNeil’s goal preventing a shutout as Emilee Rio scored twice for the victorious Northstars.
Bishop Ludden got off to an ideal start last Tuesday thanks to a 3-0 shutout of Syracuse United. Faith Griffin, with a goal and assist, led the Gaelic Knights as Sophia Chemotti and Ashley Pawleczak also converted.
Maintaining this strong pace, Ludden then shut out Bishop Grimes 2-0 on Saturday afternoon, with Pawleczak putting in both of her team’s goals in the second half.
Jordan-Elbridge had gone to the Fabius-Pompey Tournament and, in the Sept. 2 opening round, pulled out a 2-1 decision over Hannibal . Olivia Bennett poured in both of the Eagles’ goals, with Abby Ahern and Brooke Tanner picking up assists. A day later, J-E met DeRuyter in the finals and lost, 4-3.
