ONONDAGA COUNTY – Recent events suggest that the West Genesee girls soccer team might be in the best position to end up challenging unbeaten Cicero-North Syracuse for area Class AA supremacy.
Having knocked off Fayetteville-Manlius 3-0 on Sept. 25 on the Hornets’ home turf, the Wildcats followed it up last Monday with another impressive all-around effort at Baldwinsville, edging the Bees 1-0.
When these two sides first met Sept. 8 in Camillus, it was a wild, back-and-forth battle where both defenses struggled and, despite its own production, WG took a 4-3 defeat.
Now, on B’ville’s home turf at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, it proved far more difficult to generate chances, especially after the Wildcats went in front on sophomore Marisa Closson’s first-ever varsity goal in the opening half.
For the most part, the Wildcats spent the rest of the game protecting its own end, and the back line did so, deflecting away chances and, when it didn’t, seeing Jenna Orr recording eight saves.
Now, on Saturday afternoon, WG had an even bigger opportunity at payback at Bragman Stadium against undefeated, state Class AA no. 7-ranked Cicero-North Syracuse, who had beaten the Wildcats 3-0 on Sept. 15.
The rematch proved closer thanks to WG’s defense, who again shut things down for long sretches as Orr again had eight saves. But a goal by Ellysia Germain heled up and the Northstars prevailed, 1-0, to improve to 10-0-1 overall.
Meanwhile, Bishop Ludden was rewarded with a no. 4 state Class D ranking for its seven consecutive shutouts to open the season.
Looking to build on that, the Gaelic Knights got its eighth straight shutout when it dismantled Fabius-Pompey 3-0 in last Tuesday night’s action.
Ahead 2-0 by halftime, Ludden saw Ashley Pawelczyk notch her 10th and 11th goals of the season, also assisting on Ava Carpenter’s tally. Again the Gaelic Knights’ defense smothered an opponent, limiting F-P to four shots, all stopped by Sarah Boyea.
A ninth straight win also brought a ninth straight shutout on Thursday night, Ludden taking apart the LaFayette Lancers in a 6-0 decision.
Though Pawelczyk tacked on two more goals and an assist, the attack was quite balanced, with Elizabeth Gaughan earning three assists as she, along with Carpenter, Faith Griffin and Annie Gaughan, picked up goals and Norah Casey picked up an assist.
When the Gaelic Knights went to Jordan-Elbridge on Saturday, the shutout streak was broken – but Ludden stayed undefeated, edging the Eagles 2-1.
It was Heather Sorts who, with passes from Abby Ahern and Haley Root, put it past Boyea in the first half, equaling another Pawelczyk goal and leaving it 1-1 at the break.
Marrin McKennnan did all she could, stopping 17 of 19 shots, but when Pawelczyk converted again in the second half, the Gaelic Knights ahead for good.
J-E lost by that same 2-1 margin to Onondaga last Monday. Riley Precourt’s second-half goal, assisted by Haley Phelps, was not quite enough as the Tigers led 1-0 at halftime and scored again after intermission.
