Saturday Roundup: GV/Belfast ladies fire on all cylinders, unleash six-goal barrage against No. 7 HAC in 6-0 win; B-R boys score 4-0 shutout of No. 6 Cal-Mum behind offensive firepower in C2 Quarters

BELMONT — After a brilliant season saw them close out with three of their last four games in the win column, Genesee Valley/Belfast earned themselves a first-round bye for what would be their final home game of the season, Saturday night.

Now finding themselves two steps away from the grandest stage in Section V, a visit from No. 7 Harley Allendale-Columbia was in store for the beginning of their playoff journey. It was one that they had hoped to garner a beginning they wanted to have.

Fortunately enough, they would. In both halves.

Genesee Valley/Belfast came out in the first half and made a statement against the visiting Lady Wolves, scoring two goals in the first six minutes to set the tone, extending upon it later in the second half with three more goals to pull away towards victory, and a Class D1 Semifinal berth next week in their 6-0 shutout at Judy Bliven Field in Belmont.

“What an opening act. I am happy that we came out of the gates on fire by scoring a couple of quick goals to set the tone,” said GV/Belfast co-coach Lisa Scott-Schneider. “(Sophie) Zillgitt really added some nice pressure on them, including the last goal in the first half. Just a great shot on goal for Hannah (Southwick-Powers) to clean up and score. Our defense showed up and kept a quality, skilled team to two shots on goal. It was a good team effort, and it was nice to get some youngsters in for some playing experience.”

With a nail and hammer, Genesee Valley/Belfast (12-3-2) began cracking the ice that laid upon the surface just three minutes removed. Starting on a run from midfield by Sophie Zillgitt on the far sidelines, the ball would then work its way to the front where it was met by Bayleigh Tallman. The play would squib over to the opposite side of the HAC goal, where Whitney Young became the final destination, knocking home the goal directly in the middle to the right side of the cage to provide the game’s first crack.

It was only appropriate that after having a hand in the icebreaker, that Tallman would score one herself. A mere four minutes later, the Genesee Valley/Belfast 8th grader did exactly that, garnering the ball in the far right corner in the HAC zone. She then made a sharp turn towards the cage, halted and then resumed on what was a masterful loft over the goalkeeper and towards the far left post to branch out their now-two goal lead.

While a spectacular Genesee Valley/Belfast defense was continuing to hold the Lady Wolves at a complete standstill, despite some late first half pressures down the stretch, one more goal was added right near the end of the period on the offense’s final rush into the zone.

Led by Zillgitt and some incredible finesse against the HAC defense, she would open up the field with a shot right at the opposing keeper. The shot squirted free and created a loose rebound, one that Hannah Southwick-Powers bolted in and capitalized upon top shelf with 42 seconds left to create a 3-0 lead at the break.

With all of the momentum in their favor going into the brief recess, Genesee Valley/Belfast would keep their foot all the way down on the gas pedal for the last 40 minute half, scoring three additional goals to cushion their advantage, including a quick Mary Hamer tally in the first three minutes, and a second Southwick-Powers near the end of the game. Sandwiched in between — a Harley Proctor goal assisted by Whitney Young to help finish off the scoring.

All six goals were accounted for off 15 shots by the offense, while the defense pitched a three-shot shutout in turn against the Lady Wolves. The three shots were all set aside by Ashley Burrows in between the posts to record the Sectional-opening blank.

Up next, the Class D1 Semifinal round begins on Wednesday, as the second-seeds now prepare to take on No. 3 Naples for a trip to next weekend’s Finals on the line. The time and venue for the contest have yet to be announced.

No. 1 Fillmore 3, No. 8 Alfred-Almond 0

FILLMORE — The top-seeded Lady Eagles of Fillmore had to fight their way through and ward off No. 8 Alfred-Almond as best as they could through the first 40 minutes of play, Saturday night.

What wound up being a scoreless tie at the break, the hosts in green would have to come together and reassess the situation in front of them, with a different approach.

20 seconds into the back half, all of their questions would be answered.

In just over 10 minutes time, lightning would strike not once, nor twice, but three times for the host Lady Eagles, as Hope Russell, Grace Russell and Rachel Hatch all helped the electric offense find its rhythm in just a short period of time, turning what was a 0-0 tie on the board into a quick 3-0 lead, and eventual victory at the final horn over Alfred-Almond to claim their spot in the Semifinal round next week.

“The first half was a combination of Alfred-Almond playing disciplined defense and us settling a bit early, and not completing our offensive attack,” said Lady Eagles coach Jon Beardsley. “Their direct kick and one corner was all they got offensively, and we had the most shots we’ve had all season with 35, and it felt like 135. Mentally, we were challenged by solid defense and our lack of finishing early on, but we came out in the second half and scored 20 seconds in. Advancing is the key, and we did that.”

Alfred-Almond was given almost everything they were able to handle across all 80 minutes from the Fillmore (17-0) offense, including in the first 40 minutes where the host Lady Eagles were challenged by their defensive front in one end, and in the other, creating a bounty of chances against them on the attack.

No goals would find their way into the back of the net as a result, which would also result in Fillmore coming up with a new strategy entering the second half.

Not long after the opening kick, the ice was broken, as Fillmore went back to what they do best — striking fast, as Hope Russell scored her 44th goal of the season just 20 seconds in off a feed from Grace Russell to get them onto the board first. The momentum carried forward for the next seven minutes when the first of two more goals would come for the offense, as Grace connected with a goal of her own to branch the lead out.

With a 2-0 lead in hand, Grace would then hand out one final assist five minutes later to provide an additional piece of insurance onto the board, as Rachel Hatch found the back of the Alfred-Almond net with a tally of her own to finish off the win.

The three goals came off 35 total shots for the Lady Eagles, while the defense allowed just one to reach Preslee Miller, who recorded the shutout along the way.

Fillmore now moves into the Class D1 Semifinal round, where they will now face No. 5 Keshequa on Wednesday in hopes of punching their return ticket back to next weekend’s Finals to defend their title. Time and venue have yet to be determined.

Class D2 Quarterfinals

No. 1 Northstar 2, No. 8 Andover/Whitesville 1

ROCHESTER — It would all come down to the final 15 minutes of play. For some, that time can become quite excruciating, especially with a game-long, scoreless tie looking to be broken between No. 8 Andover/Whitesville and top-seeded Northstar, Saturday afternoon.

To say that the pressure was indeed on coming down the stretch, would be a massive understatement. But despite it, the offenses on both sides would kick into gear, breaking the tie with another tie to put on the board in a quick five-minute sequence. With overtime on the horizon, something had to give.

For the Lady Knights, they gave one of the biggest responses of them all.

In the final minute of regulation, the top-seeds would find their way back on top after originally breaking the ice 15 minutes prior, as Allie Skeval was the hero for Northstar to send them into the Class D2 Semifinal round after a hard-fought battle alongside Andover/Whitesville, taking the ultimate 2-1 decision at game’s end to force elimination.

“Our girls played extremely hard today. Effort has never been an issue with this group. We were missing some key players, but just as has been the case all year, other girls stepped up to do whatever was needed,” said Andover/Whitesville co-coach Aaron Rawady. “Some modified call-ups came in and gave us some great minutes, and our veterans took on some new roles to give us a chance. What a competitive game it turned out to be though, and you don’t usually see that in an 8-1 matchup. That speaks to the resiliency of the girls.”

After what was a back-and-forth battle for possession throughout the entirety of the first half, the pressure would continue to rise as time passed through the second half. With precious minutes and seconds coming off the board, the time to act in the second half would arrive.

It began with Northstar taking the game’s first lead with 15 minutes left to play, as Katelyn Demarest connected on the first goal of the afternoon on a solo rush into the Andover/Whitesville (2-12-3) zone. The response by the eight-seeds was just as quick as the go-ahead score the Lady Knights provided, as Kennedy Bledsoe found the back of the net four minutes later to tie the game at one, with Morrigan Hixon dishing along the humongous and crucial assist to set it up.

The 1-1 tie would hold all the way down to the wire with 60 seconds remaining, as Northstar found one last opening in the Andover/Whitesville defense for Allie Skeval to work her way through with the game-winner off a Grace Kearney feed to send the hosts in black and red into the Semifinal round.

The Bledsoe goal would be the only shot that Andover/Whitesville garnered in the game compared to the seven Northstar applied back the other way on offense of their own. In goal, Olivia Waters made five saves for the eight-seeds.

Andover/Whitesville’s season has now come to an end, as they wrap up their 2022 campaign with a record of 2-12-3 overall. The team will graduate five seniors at the end of the year, in Bledsoe, Gabbi Hall, Gabby Terhune, Aislinn Hamilton and Brynn Scholl.

“Despite the results this season gave us, I always believed we are a good team that can play with anyone,” said Rawady. “I am as proud of this team as any other I have coached. We can’t thank our seniors enough for all that they have given during their careers. Kennedy, Gabbi (Hall), Gabby (Terhune), Aislinn (Hamilton) and Brynn (Scholl) will be very tough to replace.”

No. 4 Hammondsport 2, No. 5 Friendship/Scio 2 (HAM wins 4-3 in PK to advance)

HAMMONDSPORT — The dreaded penalty kick round is a stage no team ever wants to encounter, especially with your entire season hanging in the balance as we begin entering the second season. On Saturday, No. 5 Friendship/Scio and No. 4 Hammondsport would ultimately work their way there, after both teams settled on a 2-2 tie after regulation play.

In the penalty kick session, both teams would go back and forth. But the decisive goal in the end after four rounds would belong to Hammondsport, as they were able to work their way through a 2-2 tie to record the 4-3 victory to earn advancement into the Class D2 Semifinal round next week.

“We played good enough to win, we just couldn’t find a way to get it into the net,” said Friendship/Scio co-coach Eric Weinman. “We came and played a great game, and the girls did everything that we asked of them. It was one of those games where it just doesn’t go your way. Both teams played really well in a great game, and you can’t really complain about that as long as you’re in it to win the game.”

Both teams were able to find their way into the back of their respective nets twice during regulation play, beginning with a 1-1 tie after the opening half, with Hammondsport taking the lead first on a direct kick from the foot of Sam Pratt, which bounced over Grace Drumm’s head in the Friendship/Scio goal and towards the netting for the opener at the 18:55 mark.

Friendship/Scio (3-11-3) was able to respond a very short time later, as Lexi Crossley tied the game at one going into the break by connecting with Claire Calhoun on the big play to create the newly-formed deadlock.

Not long into the second half, the Lady Lakers were able to garner the early edge yet again upon their arrival back onto the field, as Stefania Tears dug the ball loose in front of the Friendship/Scio goal in the midst of a mad scramble in front, firing it home for the lead.

It would hold until just past midway when the visitors in white would respond with yet another tie, as Morghyn Ross punctuated an emphatic capitalization off her free kick inside the box, tying the game at two for the remainder of regulation to force the penalty kick session.

Both teams would wind up going back and forth during the final session of the night, but would ultimately see the Lady Lakers record the game-winning goal they would need to work their way into the Semifinal round on Wednesday, ending Friendship/Scio’s season in the process.

Friendship/Scio would outshoot Hammondsport by an 8-4 total count, with Drumm making two saves in between the posts through what would be her final game of the season. The team will finish up their 2022 campaign with a record of 3-11-3 overall, as they graduate three seniors at the end of the year, in Calhoun, Katherine Lamberson and Logan Roberts.

BOYS SOCCER

Class C2 Quarterfinals

No. 3 Bolivar-Richburg 4, No. 6 Caledonia-Mumford 0

BOLIVAR — The Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines are as hungry of a team as they’ve ever been before. After ending their regular season with five wins in their last six games, the chase was on. And it would begin on their home field one final time, Saturday night on as chilly of a Fall evening as you could imagine.

It wouldn’t faze the third-seeded Wolverines though. Why? — With a halftime lead in hand, their uncontrollable fire that was their offense, continued to burn ever so brightly against No. 6 Caledonia-Mumford.

With goals, come insurance in the second half. For the Wolverines, one of those pieces of insurance morphed into one of the most magnificent scoring sequences you may see all season long, one that encapsulated a quintet of tape-to-tape passes down the field into the offensive zone occupied by the visiting Raiders, starting from midfield.

Moving as rapidly as they were passing the ball along to one another, the play would then find its home, where it was finished off by Ryder Easton, giving the Wolverines all the momentum they would need to finish off their 4-0 shutout in Class C2 Quarterfinal action at Dunsmore-Latimer Field.

“We did some great things tonight and we are so proud of every one of these boys,” said Wolverines coach Mike Zilker. “It’s a win that we will definitely enjoy before we get back to work, but I tip my hat towards Cal-Mum. They gave us a great, hard-fought round of soccer. They have a great coaching staff, and some very talented players that really tested our limits at times.”

Bolivar-Richburg (14-2-1) was responsible for recording a pair of goals in each half on the attack, while the defense held Caledonia-Mumford at a complete standstill, despite some late spurts of pressure, as they jump-started the scoring just over 10 minutes into the game with the first of two Aydin Sisson assists working its way towards Ian Unfus, who finished off the play himself in front to garner the lead.

Later on, the lead would grow to a pair on a corner kick opportunity elected to be taken by Reiss Gaines, who would then claim the first of his two assists as a direct result from a leaping David Baldwin in front of the Raiders net, connecting with the high-flying ball with his cranium to extend the advantage with 12 minutes left.

More damage would be done after a tight battle through the midfield with the Raiders for a good portion of the second half, and it would come after knocking at the door three consecutive times from the corner to keep the pressure boiling at an accelerated rate.

It would then boil over past midway to go, after one of the most electrifying scores of the season came into full fruition.

Incepting at midfield on a ball possessed by James Margeson off a throw-in by Ian Unfus for the Wolverines, they worked their way down the field with surgical precision against the Caledonia-Mumford defense. The ball worked its way up towards Gaines, who used some finesse to try and shimmy his way around the defense before dropping the ball off to Landon Barkley.

The tape-to-tape passes continued along into the left wing for Unfus, and then to Aydin Sisson just a few feet ahead of him. On the run In, he garnered enough room around his defender to squib a picture-perfect pass across and into the right wing, where a streaking Ryder Easton bolted his way in for the one-timer that simply would not be denied its entry into the Raiders net, extending the Wolverines lead out even farther to three.

“The things we work on at practice day in and day out, it truly knows how to come into fruition on the field. It’s a true testament to the work ethic that this team possesses,” said Zilker. “Surrounded by great coaches, great players and even greater fans, I’m truly blessed. It was an all-around great showing by the boys. They all played hard and put the we before the me, to get this win. From our keeper, to the defense, to the midfielders, our strikers, they all played hard and well.”

One final piece of insurance to carry all the way to the end was garnered just a few minutes later by Braden Zilker, as he finished off another fine passing sequence with 13:56 left to play, burying a pass from Gaines in the midst of a scrum in front of the Raiders net, to the left side to help close it out.

The four goals for the Wolverines were totaled off 14 shots while allowing seven back the other way on defense — all of which were set aside by David Abdo, whose brilliant season between the posts continued on with another shutout to begin the team’s Sectional journey.

Next up for the Wolverines, is the Class C2 Semifinal round which begins on Wednesday, as they now prepare to face No. 2 Byron-Bergen/Elba at a site and time to be determined, for a chance to claim a spot in next weekend’s Finals.

FOOTBALL

Holley 30, Wellsville 14

HOLLEY — All 44 points combined between Wellsville and Holley were scored after their arrivals back out onto the field from the halftime break. But it was the host Hawks that saw their offense create a spark, as they went on to record what was a 30-14 regular season-ending victory over the Lions to earn the season sweep, Saturday afternoon.

Scoring summary and a complete box score were not made available to report upon publication.

Wellsville’s regular season has now come to a close, as they now await their fate for the second season with a record of 1-7 overall.