Thursday Roundup: Russell’s 1st half hatty fuels jets for Lady Eagles to begin Class D title defense over Portville; And/Whi, GV/Belfast to meet for Tourney crown behind wins

FILLMORE — Last season was one of immense magnitude for the Lady Eagles of Fillmore. Two Section V titles in three seasons, along with it a trip into the State Tournament for the first time in nearly 40 years. A beacon of light that shone the same gleam as both the boys soccer and girls volleyball programs, as well as a pair of State qualifying girls tennis stars — a phenomenal Fall campaign for all involved.

Thursday night, their Class D title defense in the Far West began.

To open up the slate, a Section V vs. Section VI collegiate-style home tournament that has become a mainstay for the Lady Eagles since its inception back in 2018, with the exception of the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19. Pitted against Portville first, the hosts sporting the Kelly Green colors wasted absolutely no time to strike while the iron was hot.

They had Hope Russell to thank for that.

Not even two minutes after the opening kick at center, the Fillmore junior struck gold in a hurry after connecting with Rachel Hatch on the first of two occasions. She would wind up finding the back of the net all three times to assist in skyrocketing the Lady Eagles towards their eventual 3-1 victory over the Lady Panthers.

“This was an above average opponent for our first game, and we had a lot to feel good about. We couldn’t ask for much more in a first game, and the first half. All facets of the game were played well,” said Lady Eagles coach Jon Beardsley. “But there were times where they exposed everything we need to work on. The second half, we lost our legs a bit and Portville changed up some tactics. The game was end to end, and at the least, we gained some needed fitness.”

The Lady Eagles (1-0) were red hot out of the gate, scoring their first tally in just 1:36 off a Rachel Hatch pass over to Hope Russell on the right side of the Portville cage. Moments after receiving the feed, Russell was able to bury it home on the far side to open up the scoring. The goal would give Fillmore a big burst of momentum to hold the Lady Panthers at a standstill through the first half of play, occupying the offensive zone for the majority of the time.

A little over midway through the opening half, Russell connected with her second of the game off an incredible boot from the foot of Oakley Frazier. After collecting the turnover off the Portville defense, Frazier’s pass linked with Russell’s foot on the break towards the goal, rocketing a high-rising ball over the Lady Panthers keeper and into the net for a two-goal lead.

Time began to wind down to close up shop, but it didn’t end before Russell completed her first half hat trick. Stemming off a Portville foul deep in their defensive zone. A direct kick chance was set up for Hatch to play, sending a perfectly-placed ball right on goal for it to be met with just as perfect of a trap from Russell to knock it into the net with under a minute left to play.

“Hope had some excellent goals, and offensively, we varied our attack. Defensively, we kept them out of the box aside from the second half,” said Beardsley. “Rachel at sweeper, she has become really consistent. Amelia Rose was able to corral a pretty special youngster for Portville, and Kylee and Kada Ellsworth were rock solid. But Portville tightened up in the second half. Their keeper had quite a few phenomenal saves to keep the game where it was for the most part.”

The Lady Panthers would indeed tighten the buckle in the last 40 minutes of play, resulting in Fillmore losing a potential shutout bid with eight minutes remaining, as Teagan Kosinski was able to capitalize off a loose rebound in front of the Lady Eagles cage, knocking it past Preslee Miller to help open the scoring with the team’s lone goal.

In all, the Lady Eagles outshot their opposition by a 14-9 count, but perhaps an even more eye-popping statistic — the Fillmore defense did not allow a single corner kick opportunity to lean Portville’s way, earning the 6-0 edge in that department.

Miller, despite letting up Portville’s lone tally, was able to set aside eight shots to garner her first victory of the season.

Fillmore will look to finish the Labor Day weekend perfect back on their home turf Saturday night under the lights, as they take on Holland to close out their season-opening tournament. First kick between the two teams is set for a 7 p.m. start, following Portville and Arkport/Canaseraga.

Belfast Tourney: And/Whi advances on PKs over Fri/Scio, GV/Belfast blanks Avoca/Prattsburgh

BELFAST — After the boys tournament kicked off just 24 hours prior, it was time for four more teams to do battle from within the girls soccer realm on another gorgeous night for soccer in Belfast.

The action across the board went deep into the night on Thursday, and that came from a back-and-forth battle exchanged between both Friendship/Scio and Andover/Whitesville to begin the festivities. A game that saw just two goals come in the first 40 minutes, and then a defensive midfield battle for the remainder of the evening.

After it was all said and done, both teams would settle on the season’s first tie by a 1-1 count, but would determine who would advance into the Championship round through an extra session of penalty kicks.

One more goal was collected during the final bout, and it was scored by Kennedy Bledsoe, as she helped Andover/Whitesville secure one of two spot’s in Saturday night’s title game with her game-winning kick.

“The effort tonight from the girls was really good,” said Andover/Whitesville co-coach Aaron Rawady. “We allowed them very few goal scoring opportunities and we were able to create a good amount for ourselves. The execution unfortunately, just wasn’t there. But with this being our first game of the season, it’s expected at this point.”

Through the first 20 minutes of the opening half, both teams engaged in a midfield battle up and down the field. That was until Andover/Whitesville (0-0-1) managed to find an opening in the Friendship/Scio defense to make a play happen. Ava Grice and Gabby Terhune set up shop right at the midway mark to give the team the lead, as Terhune fed across a pass to Grice to finish off for the game’s first lead.

In the waning minutes before the break, Friendship/Scio (0-0-1) was able to come up with a response of their own, converting a chance off an own-goal from the Andover/Whitesville defense. Lexi Crossley was credited with the team’s first goal of the season with five minutes left.

The score would remain tied at one all the way to the end of the battle, when the action shifted into the penalty kick stage where just one conversion was successful. That belonged to Andover/Whitesville’s hero in Bledsoe, as the senior sent the team into this weekend’s title game with her marker.

Andover/Whitesville outshot Friendship/Scio by a 20-4 margin, with Olivia Waters recording three stops for the victors. On the other side, Nevaeh Ross and Grace Drumm combined to put a stop to 15 shots.

In game two, a different story.

Avoca/Prattsburgh and Genesee Valley/Belfast put together a solid first half showing on defense primarily. But perhaps the x-factor, the Lady Titans could not find a response for. The connection of Hannah Southwick-Powers and Anna Drozdowski for the United squad propelled a pair of goals into the back of the net, including the game’s first just seven minutes in to break the ice on what was a 3-0 blank to earn the final spot in the Championship round.

“This was a great opening match for us. Great defense was played by all, which certainly helps and we had some great connections too up top,” said Genesee Valley/Belfast co-coach Lisa Scott-Schneider. “It’s a good starting point, and we need to improve in some areas. It’s certainly nice to find the back of the net early, which helps the mental aspect of things. Hannah had some nice footwork all night, and Harley notched a beautiful ball in the box. It was a great team effort all around, and we’re looking forward to Saturday. The first goal for the ladies was to win their home tournament. They’re one step away from it.”

The first Drozdowski-to-Southwick-Powers combination ignited in the first 10 minutes of play for Genesee Valley/Belfast (1-0), one that would help garner the early edge on Avoca/Prattsburgh. It was a lead that they were able to hold, and build on coming back out for the second half, when Harley Proctor continued the quick pace of action with a goal of her own in the first 10 minutes.

Proctor would pick up a pass from Whitney Young on her way in towards the Lady Titans goal, airlifting a shot directly on goal from just inside the box to branch out the lead for the hosts to a crucial pair. The finishing touches were put on by the last Southwick-Powers/Drozdowski connection through another battle across the midfield, as Southwick-Powers scored her second of the game with 4:32 left to play to insurmountably push the team’s lead away and out of reach of Avoca/Prattsburgh to secure their place in the Championship round.

Genesee Valley/Belfast collected 11 total shots on goal compared to Avoca/Prattsburgh’s two, which would result in Ashley Burrows being credited with the first shutout of the season in between the posts, stopping both shots she saw.

Andover/Whitesville and Genesee Valley/Belfast will do battle for this year’s tournament crown back under the lights in Belfast on Saturday, in a 7 p.m. first kick. Beforehand in the Consolation round, Avoca/Prattsburgh and Friendship/Scio will go head-to-head beginning at 5 p.m.

Olean Tourney: B-R knocks off Lady Huskies to set up title game with Hornell

OLEAN — Entering her final season with the Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg, one of the County’s top scorers helped get her squad rolling in the right direction out west in Olean on Thursday.

Sandwiched in between the first goal for the Lady Huskies, McKinlee Harris dished out two of her own to help take the lead going into the break — a lead that the Lady Wolverines were able to hold onto with one more big piece of insurance with nearly 10 minutes left in regulation, as they advanced into this weekend’s title game of Olean’s home tournament with a 3-1 win over the hosts in red and gold.

Harris wasted no time finding the board first for Bolivar-Richburg (1-0) within the first 10 minutes of play. With her first tally, she gained possession and then used her awareness to work her way around the Olean defense from within the left wing. Garnering the room she needed to provide a shot, the Lady Wolverines senior let one go, sailing a high ball straight into the upper right corner of the cage to break the ice.

Although Olean fell behind rather quickly, their response was just as rapid. At the 28:04 mark, the Lady Huskies found a way to tie the game up with Allie Stayer’s second connection of the season, working her way past the Lady Wolverines defense to bury the ball behind Kyla Gayton in between the posts, on the short side.

The tie would remain in place up until under seven minutes remaining on the clock, when Harris gained traction on another chance. From near center, she would go on to lift a high ball back towards the Olean net, gaining just enough air and space to sift its way through to the back of the net, giving Bolivar-Richburg a 2-1 edge after 40 minutes of play.

With some second half pressure beginning to mount on behalf of the Lady Huskies, the Lady Wolverines were able to find the game-ending capitalization they searched for. They would receive it from Cassidy Stives parked out front of the Olean goal, as she knocked in a perfectly-placed corner kick from the foot of Madigan Harris with 12:40 left to go, ultimately sealing the victory for the visitors in white and red.

The Lady Wolverines, despite the victory, were heavily outshot by Olean by a 19-6 margin, with Gayton earning winning honors in goal with 18 saves.

Bolivar-Richburg will head back over to Olean, Saturday afternoon to vie for a tournament championship, as they prepare to square off against the Hornell Lady Red Raiders in a 2 p.m. first kick. Hornell defeated Ellicottville in their first round battle later in the day, via a 2-0 shutout.

Blake Driskell Tourney: Explosive 1st half propels Addison over Lady Lions

ADDISON — From start to finish in their home debut on Thursday, the Lady Knights of Addison expressed much success against visiting Wellsville.

In opening round action of the Blake Driskell Tournament, the hosts in maroon were able to find the back of the goal left and right, igniting a heavy offensive effort with a first half statement in their 8-0 shutout of the Lady Lions.

Kerrigan Driskell was the main driving force behind Addison’s offensive efforts, as she posted a first half hat trick, while Jillian Ames followed behind with two goals of her own, along with an assist on one of Driskell’s goals. Addison would total seven in the first 40 minutes to assist in setting the tone for the remainder of the way.

Further statistics were unavailable to report upon publication.

Wellsville (0-1) will now take part in Consolation round action set for Saturday evening back in Addison, as they get set to take on the Alfred-Almond Lady Eagles in a 4 p.m. first kick to close out their tournament stay.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Allegany-Limestone 4, Cuba-Rushford 1

CUBA — The Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford were tested right out of the gate to begin their new season on the volleyball court, Thursday evening in the Wighthouse.

The team would fall behind rather quickly to Section VI power Allegany-Limestone, being pushed to the brink after the first two sets. After the Lady Rebels started to showcase a bit of resiliency to remain alive in the third set, the Lady Gators would ultimately put the finishing touches on a season-opening victory over the road, taking the four-set decision by a 25-11, 25-16, 19-25, 25-14 count.

Cuba-Rushford (0-1) was led on the attack by Lauren O’Keefe, who compiled four kills to pair with four aces and four digs. Furthering the cause was Bri Green, who had four additional kills of her own to pair with a couple of blocks. Kendall Tompkins dished out a team-high 11 assists to go with seven more aces from the service line.

The Lady Rebels are backed by a familiar face that has seen a time or two coaching volleyball in the past — Josh Tompkins, who returns to Cuba-Rushford after a head coaching stint with Houghton University, last Fall. Tompkins said that the team this season has a ton of potential, but it’s just a matter of taking one step at a time as time goes on.

“It was definitely a “first match” for us tonight. Allegany-Limestone played like they have been playing for a while, and we weren’t really able to match their level of intensity,” he said. “We keep taking those steps forward. That’s our goal, and tonight is a big help in starting that. We’re looking forward to improving every day. We have potential, we just need time to get there.”

The Lady Rebels are back on the floor Tuesday night over the road, as they battle Class D3 Finalist Houghton Academy in a 6 p.m. first serve.

GIRLS TENNIS

Wellsville, Fillmore ladies start 2022 season with success

ADDISON/HOUGHTON — Among the last teams to make their official debut for the 2022 season, were both the Wellsville and Fillmore girls tennis squads. Both teams were in action on another spectacular night as far as the weather was concerned, Thursday evening.

Turns out for both teams, the action on the tennis court resembled the day itself.

Wellsville and Fillmore started their campaigns off on the right foot, with the Lady Lions sweeping all five matches over the road against the Lady Knights of Addison, while the Lady Eagles, led by a hard-fought victory from their State qualifier representative in Olivia Chiu, saw them find the win column themselves with a 4-1 victory over visiting Avoca/Prattsburgh at Houghton University.

In Addison, the Lady Lions (1-0) displayed a perfect showing across the board against the Lady Knights. In the singles department, Meagan Riley (6-2, 6-0), Samantha Bidzerkowny and Sarah Mattison (6-1, 6-3) were all victorious in straight sets, with Bidzerkowny nearly providing blanks in both of her sets, settling on a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory over Katherine Ames at second singles.

Down in the doubles, just one match — the first doubles team of Caitlin Bittel and Hanna Miles would help wrap up shop on the match sweep with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over their own, with the second doubles team of Kelsey Seely and McKenna Wonderling receiving the victory automatically by forfeit.

Back home, the Lady Eagles of Fillmore saw Olivia Chiu fight and claw her way through a grueling battle against Avoca/Prattsburgh’s Camryn Moore in the first singles match, with Moore taking the opening edge before Chiu was able to shake it off a short time later with a hard-fought tiebreak victory in the second set, tying the match, and later a dominant 6-2 finish to end the evening victoriously.

Along with a second doubles forfeit win for the team of Emma Hopkins and Annika Wiltsey, Fillmore was able to garner three more victories, including a 6-0, 6-0 sweep from Kristina Wilcox at third singles, as she took down Avoca/Prattsburgh’s Colleen Hammond to record the win. Following at first doubles was the team of Molly Mahoney and Amy Majoros, as they recorded a second-set tiebreak win to earn the straight-set, 6-3, 7-6 win.

The lone win for the Lady Titans came from Genevieve Dabby at second singles, as she recorded the 6-0, 6-0 shutout over Fillmore’s Kali White.

Both Fillmore and Wellsville will go head-to-head with one another for the first time this season after the Labor Day weekend, as they meet up in Wellsville on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. first serve.

Wellsville 5, Addison 0

Singles

1. Meagan Riley (WLSV) def. Karlee Boutelle (ADD), 6-2, 6-0.

2. Samantha Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Katherine Ames (ADD), 6-0, 6-1.

3. Sarah Mattison (WLSV) def. Emmanuelle Grasset (ADD), 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles

1. Caitlin Bittel/Hanna Miles (WLSV) def. Jessi Balance/Katie McNeil (ADD), 6-1, 6-3.

2. Kelsey Seely/McKenna Wonderling (WLSV) by for.

Fillmore 4, Avoca/Prattsburgh 1

Singles

1. Olivia Chiu (FIL) def. Camryn Moore (A/P), 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

2. Genevieve Dabby (A/P) def. Kali White (FIL), 6-0, 6-0.

3. Kristina Wilcox (FIL) def. Colleen Hammond (A/P), 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles

1. Molly Mahoney/Amy Majoros (FIL) def. Alexis Fitzwater/Ginny Savage (A/P), 6-3, 7-6.

2. Emma Hopkins/Annika Wiltsey (FIL) by for.