CENTRAL NEW YORK – Though the girls soccer Section III Class B championship game was still a few weeks away, a preview of it was at hand in the last week of the regular season when Marcellus, atop the state Class B rankings all season, met no. 5-ranked Christian Brothers Academy Tuesday night.
One lead-up to this game had Marcellus take on its most famous girls soccer rival, Westhill, a week earlier, a game that proved much more competitive than their earlier meeting even as the Mustangs prevailed 3-1.
Back on Sept. 4 Marcellus had opened its season at Westhill with a 6-0. Even at 4-7-1 the Warriors were tougher in the rematch, making it more interesting when Sienna Jetter netted an unassisted goal in the first half.
That helped produce a 1-1 tie, but the Mustangs went in front for good in the second half, led by Lexie Fragnito and Corrine Aldrich, who each had one goal and one assist.
Allie Kaup also scored, with Marielle Kennedy also earning an assist. That it didn’t lead to more was a tribute to the work of Westhill goalie Sophia Lasher stopping 14 of the 17 shots she faced.
As a follow-up on Wednesday Marcellus met a vastly improved Syracuse City team and promptly amassed seven goals in the first half on its way to an 8-0 victory.
Well balanced, the Mustangs only had Drew Johnson score twice, adding an assist. Kennedy and Jadyn Baker both had one goal and one assist as Fragnito, Aldrich, Cece Powell and Leah Wood also converted. Kaup had an assist as did Neve Murphy and Grace Knox.
Westhill played again on Saturday, against Chittenango, where it lost 3-2. Goals by Grace Stroman and Kara Rosenberger were negated by two goals from Abby Scheidelman and another from Hannah Machan for the Bears. Lasher had six saves, two less than Sue Horning.
Skaneateles found itself below the .500 mark at 5-6 when it faced 9-2 Class C contender Tully last Monday afternoon, but was able to battle past the Black Knights 2-1.
Neither team scored until the second half, when Lily Kennedy and Paige Willard converted, Maggie Girzadas adding an assist. Tully also scored late, but the Lakers held on as Paige Willard recorded five saves.
Then, facing Central Square Friday night in the opening round of the Finger Lakes Cup, Skaneateles played the Redhawks to a 1-1 draw.
Keating Morrissey scored in the first half assisted by Allie Michel but Grace Waskiewicz answering it for the Redhawks. Neither side would convert in the second half, Mara Stanton taking a turn in goal and stopping nine of 10 shots she faced.
A day later, the Lakers took a 2-0 defeat to Whitesboro, not able to get on the board and surrendering one goal in each half, Stanton finishing with 12 saves.
Jordan-Elbridge lost last Monday to Onondaga/LaFayette 4-0. Kelsey Brunelle stopped 22 of the 26 shots she faced as Gracie Burns scored twice to lead the Tigers.
