ONONDAGA COUNTY – The West Genesee girls soccer team did not shy from tough competition in the days leading up to last Wednesday’s SCAC Metro division match against Baldwinsville.
And maybe that had something to do with the Wildcats getting off to a successful start in league play, edging the Bees in a tense 1-0 decision.

Much of the first half saw the two sides deny each other plenty of opportunities, but in the 36th minute WG went in front when Giovanna Vigliotti slipped a shot into the net.

All told, Bees goalies Carlie Young and Alyssa Luce made nine saves between them, yet the Bees could not break through against a tight Wildcats defense where Julia Poissant and Jenna Orr combined to make nine saves.

Against East Syracuse Minoa, a Section III Class A finalist last fall, in the Sept. 1 opener, the Wildcats, who went 10-5-2 a season ago, mostly contained the potent Spartans attack, but could not produce many chances of its own in a 2-0 defeat.

All WG could manage was four shots on net, not enough to really worry ESM, who got goals from Leah Rehm and Natalie Peterson to overcome Orr and Poissant’s eight total saves.

Two days later, at Rome Free Academy, the Wildcats turned it around, pulling away late and shutting out the Black Knights 4-0 for its first win of the season.

Ellie McMahon led the way, netting a pair of goals with help from Eva Poissant and Gio Vigliotti, who had the other tallies. Sofia Snyder picked up an assist.

Jordan-Elbridge had an impressive start to its season on Sept. 2 in the opening round of the Canton Tournament, defeating the host Canton side 4-2.

Largely, this was due to the work of Avery Yard, whose three goals produced a hat trick. Erin LaVancha had the other goal as Hailey Phelps recorded seven saves.

A day later, in the final against Watertown, J-E retreated, falling 3-1 to the Cyclones, who were led by Delaney Callahan’s two goals and one assist.

Then J-E ran into Bishop Ludden last Tuesday and the Gaelic Knights, playing its season opener, relied again on Ashley Pawelczyk to beat the Eagles 4-1.

Pawelczyk netted 23 goals as a freshman as Ludden went 15-1 in the regular season before a sectional Class D semifinal loss to Lyme.

Here, Pawelczyk would score three times for a hat trick and assist on Lexi Sheeri’s goal. Sheeri and Elizabeth Gaughan had assists as Julia Smith recorded six saves.

Ludden won again on Thursday, shutting out Pulaski 2-0. Taking 26 shots overall, the Gaelic Knights converted with goals from Faith Griffin and Annie Gaughan, with Lexi Sheen and Sophia Chemotti earning assists.

In Saturday’s action, J-E met Homer and took a 1-0 defeat to the Trojans, falling to 1-3 overall.