Thursday Roundup: GV/Belfast controls tempo, but Fillmore defense holds steady in scoreless tie; And/Whi, B-R boys deadlock at 1, Fillmore volleyball sweeps Houghton in crosstown battle
FILLMORE — An early season Allegany County showdown between Genesee Valley/Belfast and defending Class D champion Fillmore graced the Thursday night spotlight, as both teams fought side by side all game long.
For one team, the chances they were granted with, were limitless. But for the other, their defense remained vigilant and strong across what would be 100 minutes of full time. When the final horn sounded, the Genesee Valley/Belfast and Fillmore offenses would remain shut down, as the two mighty foes settled on their first deadlock of the young season in scoreless fashion.
“It was a gritty, hard-nosed effort by both sides tonight,” said Eagles coach Jarrett Vosburg. “It was like so many battles of the old between Fillmore, Genesee Valley and Belfast. Neither side could quite get over the hump offensively to crack one home. Despite that, I was happy with our defensive effort and the lack of quit we demonstrated. It should be a fun matchup when we meet up again later this season. There are plenty of things to improve upon and refine, but it’s great for Brayden (Hennard) and company to keep a clean sheet for a second straight game.”
There were plenty of chances galore, especially for Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-0-1) across the first 40 minutes of play, as they used an arsenal of speed and finesse to keep Fillmore pinned deep in their defensive zone. Perhaps their best chance of the frame stemmed from a rush led by Ryan Snyder, who dug the ball free from the Eagles defense to rip a shot straight on goal that keeper Brayden Hennard dove across the far post to make, knocking it wide and out of harm’s way in the first 10 minutes.
The visitors continued to dig and claw down the stretch, with their efforts nearly paying off with 6:30 to go on an excellent corner kick issued by Sal Gambino, taking two straight bounces off heads in front of the Eagles (1-0-1) net before Hennard eyeballed the loose ball to clear the zone. Immediately following that opportunity, the hosts in green came right back with a rush of their own, sending the ball straight into the Genesee Valley/Belfast box before making its way to Sam Cool next to the opposite post.
But that chance went just wide, allowing Genesee Valley/Belfast to clear the zone.
For the rest of time ahead, both Genesee Valley/Belfast and Fillmore continued to fight for every chance and possession across the field, but ultimately, they would remain scoreless after 100 complete minutes to record their first tie of the campaign.
Genesee Valley/Belfast held a dominant advantage in the shots department from start to finish against the Eagles, outshooting the opposition by an 11-3 count. Both keepers, Zach Thomas and Brayden Hennard, would go on to record a shutout in between their respective posts, with Thomas making three saves and Hennard stopping all 11 presented to him by the visitors.
Coming up next, the Eagles will look to rebound right back on their home turf Monday night with a colossal visit from Allegany-Limestone in store, in a 7 p.m. first kick. As for Genesee Valley/Belfast, their road swing continues on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. visit to Andover/Whitesville, in Whitesville.
Andover/Whitesville 1, Bolivar-Richburg 1
BOLIVAR — Andover/Whitesville and Bolivar-Richburg both had their fair share of opportunities to strike while the iron was hot, Thursday night. Each team would find the back of the net once in the first 40 minutes of play, setting up shop for a deadlock that would not move a muscle the remainder of the game, as they settled on their first tie of the season by a 1-1 count in Bolivar.
Right away, the Wolverines (1-1-1) took full advantage of the opportunity in front of them right in the first five minutes of play, as they put the Andover/Whitesville defense on their feet early behind Ryder Iantorno’s score right in front of the net off a picture-perfect corner kick delivered by Braden Zilker.
The lead would freeze in place until Andover/Whitesville (2-0-1) found a response in return from Brody Vance, whose red hot start to the season continued on with another goal just past the midway mark of the frame, creating level playing ground ultimately for the remainder of time ahead.
Each team collected 14 total shots at their respective opposing nets, with Andover/Whitesville’s Elden Terhune and Bolivar-Richburg’s Ayden Music both setting aside 13 of them in between the posts.
Andover/Whitesville will hit the road once more for a 6 p.m. visit to Alfred-Almond on Saturday, while Bolivar-Richburg stays home at Dunsmore-Latimer Field to welcome in defending Class C2 champion Cuba-Rushford on Monday in a 5 p.m. showdown.
Houghton Academy 7, Friendship/Scio 0
FRIENDSHIP — Three different scorers for the Panthers of Houghton Academy all scored a pair of goals to ignite the offense to a strong performance on the pitch Thursday night in Friendship, as David Jatta, Josh Davidson and Huy Ho aided in their propelling towards a 7-0 road victory over host Friendship/Scio.
The seven goals for Houghton Academy (1-2) came off an 18-shot effort on the attack, with Jatta and Davidson each scoring two in the first half to set up a 4-0 lead going into the break. Jae Masiza handed out a helper to Jatta’s first goal nearly 10 minutes into the game, while Jatta handed a helper out to Davidson for his second goal of the half with 10:11 remaining.
Masiza would then add to the scoring nearly two minutes into the second half. Huy Ho finished off the scoring down the home stretch in the last 10 minutes of play with his pair of scores, being assisted by Darin Alvaros on his first marker at the 9:22 mark.
Houghton Academy went on to outshoot Friendship/Scio (0-4) by an 18-5 count, with Jerry Pham making all five saves to earn the shutout in between the posts. On the opposite end, Deacon Brown made 11 saves for Friendship/Scio, who will return to action in Scio at 6 p.m. on Monday, hosting Hammondsport.
The Panthers will look to keep their winning ways intact, as they now travel for a 12 p.m. first kick at Jasper-Troupsburg on Saturday.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Fillmore 3, Houghton Academy 0
FILLMORE — You are pretty much guaranteed to witness one of those competitive and exciting battles each and every time crosstown rivals Houghton Academy and Fillmore converge on the volleyball court. Thursday night was no different inside The Rock.
Despite a straight-set victory becoming the end result at the end of the night, both teams were staying alert, hustling and diving to put every single point they could on the scoreboard. When it was all said and done, the host Lady Eagles made sure it was them that took care of business, as they swept the Lady Panthers with a 25-17, 25-21, 25-18 win in a back-and-forth affair.
The Lady Eagles (2-2) were paced by a strong six-kill night on offense from Mya Keeler, who added in four aces from the back line to go with a dig along the way. Michaela Lewis had two kills and two aces to add in. Kaitlyn Troupe had a kill, while setter Eleanor Reitnour handed out 11 big helpers to pair with two aces.
On the opposite side of the net, Houghton Academy (0-2) was led by Katherine Lin on the attack, recording five kills. Abby Reitnour chipped in with eight digs on defense to keep the ball off the floor. The Lady Panthers will look to rebound Tuesday night with a 4 p.m. contest back home, hosting the Rochester School for the Deaf.
Fillmore is back on their home floor Monday night with a 7 p.m. visit from Arkport-Canaseraga.
Bolivar-Richburg 3, Genesee Valley/Belfast 0
BELMONT — The Lady Wolverines of Bolivar-Richburg assembled a dominant performance from start to finish on Thursday. Over the road against host Genesee Valley/Belfast, they staved off some early pressure and used every bit of it to come away winners in a straight-set sweep, taking the 25-17, 25-8, 25-9 victory back home.
Carmen Crowley was a big part behind the victory for the Lady Wolverines (2-0), posting 15 digs on defense to pair with 11 big kills. Kylee Whiting provided a superb outing from the service line, collecting nine aces, while setter Willow Worth was busy at the front of the net, dishing out 16 assists to round off the scoring.
Genesee Valley/Belfast (1-2) was led by Paizlee Tilton and her three kills and an ace. Aubrey Geoppner chipped in with three big blocks, coupled alongside a pair of kills to propel the offense even more.
“The girls did a good job trying to match up, but B-R is a really good team,” said GV/Belfast coach Darren Bradt. “Our players really enjoy playing the higher level competition, knowing that it will make them better in the long run. The high note is our middle hitter Aubrey. She had some really nice blocks tonight, and it’s been really good to watch her continue to improve, learn the position and gain confidence in her abilities.”
Both teams will return to action on Wednesday, with Bolivar-Richburg heading back home to host Fillmore in a 7:30 p.m. first serve, while Genesee Valley/Belfast aims to rebound in a 6:30 p.m. visit to Houghton Academy.
Hinsdale 3, Andover/Whitesville 0
HINSDALE — Thursday night was a night filled with victory for the Hinsdale Lady Bobcats, as they collected their first win of the season on their home floor against visiting Andover/Whitesville with a straight-set, 3-0 victory.
Set scores and individual statistics for both teams were not made available to report upon publication.
Up next, the Lady Bobcats (1-1) will now hit the road for a 7:30 p.m. visit to Cuba-Rushford on Wednesday, while Andover/Whitesville (0-2) heads home to host Hammondsport at 6 p.m. in Andover on Tuesday.
