CENTRAL NEW YORK – There’a a good argument for the East Syracuse Minoa girls soccer team to claim two league championships at once.
Already the big name atop the SCAC Empire division standings, the Spartans have now beaten three SCAC Metro foes, including Baldwinsville, whom it topped 1-0 last Monday night at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium.
No one else this season played as well from a defensive standpoint as the Bees did, giving ESM plenty of reason to feel frustrated through the game’s first 20 minutes.
Then ESM struck, with Leah Rehm, constantly under pressure, passing it to an open Laura Markert, whose shot flew into the net, all that the Spartans would need.
To their credit, B’ville goalies Carlie Young and Alyssa Luce had sensational outings, combining for 13 saves. But the Spartans mostly shut down whatever the Bees tried on the other end, Isabelle Chavoustie only having to make four saves for her fifth consecutive shutout.
By contrast, ESM lit up Fulton 24 hours later, ripping the Red Raiders 9-0 as it saw both Rehm and Natalie Peterson pick up three-goal hat tricks and add an assist apiece.
Angelina Polcaro beat them both in terms of points, scoring twice and getting three assists. Ashley Praxi had one goal and one assist as Bailey Rehm, Leah’s younger sister, joined Jazzel Meikelham in earning assists.
A seventh straight shutout was accomplished Thursday night, ESM putting away the Oswego Buccaneers 5-0.
Praxi set a new career mark, her three assists anchoring an attack where Polcaro had a goal and two assists. Leah Rehm scored twice, with Meikelham and Bailey Rehm also earning goals.
Fayetteville-Manlius, whom ESM beat 5-0 on Sept. 3, went to the Hall of Fame Tournament on Sept. 10-11 and emerged with a split against tough competition.
The Hornets lost, 5-1, to St. Anthony’s in the opener, only getting on the board with Mary Coughlin’s goal assisted by Morgan Goodman, but recovered with a 2-0 shutout of Xaverian Brothers (Maryland) as Goodman netted both of her team’s goals and Mackenzie Murphy stopped all nine shots she faced.
Back in SCAC Metro division action, F-M hosted West Genesee last Wednesday night and emerged from this battle having played the Wildcats to a 1-1 draw.
Both goals came in the first half, WG seeing Ellie McMahon score off a feed from Claire McManus as Lexi Caron found the net for F-M, assisted by Una Vlasak.
Opportunities were rare throughout the second half and 20 minutes of overtime, with Jenna Orr making just four saves for the Wildcats and Murphy getting five saves.
