BALDWINSVILLE – Again, victories against top foes were proving a bit elusive for the Baldwinsville girls soccer team, but it’s already evident that, at least from a defensive standpoint, things seemed sound.
Facing a powerful foe in East Syracuse Minoa last Monday at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, the Bees did a terrific job of containment, but could not break through on the other end in a 1-0 loss.
ESM had outscored its first four opponents (including West Genesee and Fayetteville-Manlius) by a combined 21-0 margin, but from the outset B’ville’s defense made it more difficult for the Spartans.
Only at the midway point of the first half did ESM convert as its star midfielder, Leah Rehm, constantly under pressure, passed it to an open Laura Markert, whose shot flew into the net, all that the Spartans would need.
Carlie Young and Alyssa Luce turned everything else back, combiing for 13 saves. But the Spartans mostly shut down whatever the Bees tried on the other end, ESM goalie Isabelle Chavoustie only having to make four saves for her fifth consecutive shutout.
B’ville did not return to action until Saturday afternoon, when it faced Athens (Pennsylvania) and picked up a 2-0 shutout at the outset of a two-game weekend series.
Both goals came in the first half as Adrianna Orlando found the net in the 14th minute and Nicole Pelletier followed with an insurance tally. From there, the Bees’ defense did the rest, Young and Luce stopping each of the five shots they faced.
Matching this on Sunday, B’ville beat Section IV’s Elmira 2-1, again with all of the goals coming in the first half. Pelletier put the Bees in front and, after the Express pulled even 1-1, Pelletier converted again for what proved to be the game-winner.
All through the second half, B’ville’s defense did a superb job protecting that slim margin, limiting Elmira to just five shots overall.
Now at 3-2 on the season, B’ville would return to league action Tuesday against Liverpool before battling F-M the reigning sectional champions, Thursday at 7 p.m. at Pelcher-Arcaro.
