CENTRAL NEW YORK – As it watched its neighbors from Bishop Ludden win its first six games and climb to no. 3 in the state Class D rankings, the West Genesee girls soccer team could take comfort in knowing what the Gaelic Knights might face if it ever graduated to large-school competition.
For its own part, the Wildcats’ 5-1-1 start had put it at no. 15 in the state Class AA rankings, its lone defeat coming to unbeaten state Class A no. 2-ranked East Syracuse Minoa.
It just so happened that state no. 1-ranked New Hartford was next on WG’s schedule on a rainy Tuesday evening, the game tight for a while before the Spartans took over in the second half and prevailed 3-0.
Managing just five shots, the Wildcats clamped down on defense and it was 0-0 at halftime. After intermission, though, New Hartford took over, Anna Rayhill hitting one goal and assisting on others by Willa Pratt and Erin Cahill.
That carried over into Thursday night’s game against Liverpool, with WG again kept off the board as it took a 1-0 defeat to the Warriors.
All that the Wildcats could manage was five shots in the face of a Liverpool defense that did quite well to protect the slim margin it gained thanks to Grace Muller’s goal, which overcame seven total saves from Julia Poissant and Jenna Orr.
On Saturday, WG met Cicero-North Syracuse, and it ended in a 1-1 draw.
Eva Poissant’s goal in the 27th minute had the Wildcats in front, but the Northstars tied it late in regulation on Emilee Rio’s goal, and neither side could resolve in in OT as Orr and Julia Poissant had 11 saves between them.
Ludden indeed did face a Class AA opponent last Monday night, and could not get on the board against Cicero-North Syracuse, falling 4-0 to the Northstars.
Julia Smith did all she could in goal, earning 12 saves, but could not stop C-NS forward Emilee Rio, who scored twice and also assisted on goals by Sophia Donovan and Alison Dimitrijevski. The
Gaelic Knights managed just one direct shot on goal all night.
A day later, Ludden was back in OHSL Patriot division action, handling Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 6-0 as it flourished in the soggy conditions.
Ashley Pawelczyk and Faith Griffin both scored twice, with Griffin adding an assist. Sophia Chemotti had a goal and two assists and Elizabeth Gaughan also had a goal. Smith finished with four saves.
Then, against Manlius Pebble Hill on Thursday afternoon, the Gaelic Knights won 5-0, with Pawelczyk and Griffin again netting two goals apiece, the other goal coming from Allison Kerwin.
Chemotti picked up a pair of assists as Gaughan added a single assist.
Even more impressive was the way Ludden dismantled Bishop Grimes 8-1 on Saturday, Pawelczyk and Gaughan each scoring twice as Griffin and Chemotti both got a goal and two assists. Grace Olivia and Lexi Sheen had the other goals.
Jordan-Elbridge continued its fine season, too, the Eagles climbing back to the .500 mark at 4-4-1 last Tuesday night with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Fabius-Pompey.
During an active second half, Haley Root and Haley Phelps recorded goals. Though the Falcons converted, too, Erin LaVancha worked her total to eight saves and J-E held on.
When J-E went up against state Class C no. 11-ranked Tully Thursday night, it stayed close all the way to the Black Knights in the course of a 1-0 defeat.
Not until the second half did Tully get on the board with Alexa Shay’s goal. The Eagles had its share of opportunities, too, but saw all seven shots get turned away by Black Knights goalie Gabriella Tordel.
