Friday Roundup: GV/Belfast turns 2nd half tide as Weaver ties game, Turybury wins it in double-OT in colossal showdown with Fillmore; Brown nets game-winner in C-R’s 2-1 edge of Wellsville

BELMONT — There was so much hanging in the balance. So much to decide. So much to play for with Sectionals around the corner. Fillmore and Genesee Valley/Belfast, after suffering two close defeats back on Wednesday, needed to get back on track.

And fast.

Their last meeting consisted of a 100-minute battle that went without a single score to be had in Fillmore back in early September. Nearly a month later, they crossed paths again, this time at Judy Bliven Field in Belmont on Homecoming Weekend for Genesee Valley/Belfast, with the Allegany County League championship within reach for both teams.

Along the far sidelines pinned up to the grandstands, there wasn’t a single empty spot in the house. The grandstands itself drew a similar comparison. As for the decibel level surrounding the pitch, that Sectional-like atmosphere can speak for itself.

Under the lights on a chilly, along with an occasional misty shower, Friday night, Fillmore and Genesee Valley/Belfast left everything on the table in a series-ending conflict that nearly went the extra mile once again. With the Eagles seizing and maintaining control of the steering wheel into the second half, Genesee Valley/Belfast re-emerged revitalized and held their opposition absolutely frozen on both ends of the playing surface.

As a result, the comeback was on.

And it wasn’t your ordinary comeback either. It was one of absolute dominance.

Genesee Valley/Belfast reigned supreme.

Taking complete control of every bit of action they could on the grass, the hosts in black delivered a shape-shifting last 58 minutes of play to put Fillmore up against the wall, grabbing a game-tying score in the last five minutes of play before surviving the first of two extra sessions with the Eagles to come up with their game-winner. Evan Turybury was responsible for that, as he knocked home the game-ender with nearly two minutes remaining in double-overtime to move one step closer towards the top of the County’s mountain with a 2-1 comeback victory.

“This was a big game to get. I’m happy for Evan, he’s the main guy on offense and lately, his production hasn’t really been there. He’s as big of a piece to this offense as anyone else, and he got his looks, but he finally put one on the ground to put this game away,” said GV/Belfast coach Mark Sullivan. “The boys responded from the second half on, and we definitely took control of the game. Three, four times, we hunted them down and kept pushing the ball down into their zone. Cal (Tallman), Logan Rice, Ethan Davenport, they all really controlled. We’re battling for the County title and that’s was one of our goals. We were flat Wednesday, but they responded with a lot more energy tonight, especially with it being Homecoming weekend. The kids were excited for that going in.”

The fight for possession was on across the field, as both Fillmore and Genesee Valley/Belfast went to work putting the pressure on one another. After 117 combined, scoreless minutes between both meetings this season, the first goal of the series was found with 23:58 remaining in the first half off Isaiah Sisson's collection of a phenomenal pass from the back by Judah Russell, and fires a shot that takes a big ricochet off the near post before zipping and spinning back across to the other side of the net, resting by the far post’s side-netting to officially open the scoring for the Eagles (5-3-3).

It was a 1-0 lead that Fillmore managed to hang on to, but not without a little bit of pressure from Genesee Valley/Belfast (9-1-1) along the way, as they nearly found a way to tie the game before the first half closed up off a Sal Gambino corner kick that flew straight in front of the Fillmore net, almost meeting the trap of Wyatt Weaver right next to the far post, but the ball travelled at high velocity and skittered just wide, allowing the Eagles to clear the zone.

But that was not the only attempt the hosts would have. There was plenty more to go around.

Across the next 40 minutes, Genesee Valley/Belfast did everything possible to shake up the sands of time, as they put Fillmore at a severe disadvantage by pinning them deep in their defensive zone for almost the entire second half sequence. Multiple opportunities arose to pummel the Eagles net with chances, including a wide-open look from Ian McKenzie who sailed a shot straight over the crossbar with the goalkeeper down and out, following a great effort from both Ryan Snyder and Evan Turybury to keep the ball deep in Eagles territory.

After Fillmore was able to dig their way out and escape Genesee Valley/Belfast’s grasp with less than 10 minutes to go, the hosts put them back on their feet again and this time, breaking the door down. With 5:42 remaining, it was Weaver’s time to shine in front of the net following a game of pinball in front of the Fillmore net. After a multitude of shots to try and clear the ball out, Weaver was able to pick up possession of it and poke it straight home behind Brayden Hennard to tie the game at one, sending the home fans into a frenzy.

Logan Rice was credited with the assist on the game-tying goal.

Because of Weaver’s heroics, overtime was required once again to decide it all. The action would nearly go the entire distance once again, but with 2:02 remaining in double-overtime, Genesee Valley/Belfast made sure a second tie between the two clubs was not an option at the end of the night, as Evan Turybury delivered an awe-striking and clamorous game-ending goal off a rush up the far sideline by Will Guilford.

The ball ultimately worked its way to the front for Turybury to identify and drive it home to the near post, as he rushed over and slide along the grass in front of the grandstands to celebrate a victory over Fillmore that Genesee Valley/Belfast has never scored during their time merged together as one program.

For head coach Mark Sullivan, a win over the Eagles seven years in the making — 2017, the year he last captured Section V glory when led the then-Belfast Bulldogs to the Class D2 Championship in Wellsville, against Bradford.

Genesee Valley/Belfast went on to finish with a heavy 14-2 advantage in the shots department. Despite the loss, Brayden Hennard delivered a phenomenal performance in between the posts for Fillmore, as he made 12 saves. The win belonged to Zach Thomas on the opposite end of the pitch, as he combined with Donivan Fields to make one save.

After the weekend, Genesee Valley/Belfast will look to be Allegany County’s first team to eclipse the 10-win plateau, as they prepare for a 7 p.m. contest right back at Judy Bliven Field on Monday, hosting Jasper-Troupsburg.

As for the Eagles, they head back home and look to bounce back with the Wellsville Lions in town for a 7 p.m. visit the following night, on Tuesday.

Cuba-Rushford 2, Wellsville 1

CUBA — It was a Friday night matchup featuring two teams coming off arguably their biggest wins of the season, with the Lions of Wellsville fresh off awarding State-ranked Campbell-Savona their first loss, while the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford did the same with Genesee Valley/Belfast over the road themselves on Wednesday.

Now, two gigantic heads filled with steam were on a collision course towards occupying the same grounds for battle in Cuba to close out the week.

The Lions and Rebels went back-and forth as much as they could from start to finish, as the two foes combined for over 20 shots on their respective cages. At the end of it all, three goals were accounted for, including a game-winner with less than three minutes to go in regulation.

It worked right out of the gate early on, and with 2:29 left, the same combination to crack the code worked again to win the game. Carter Brown and Robert Childs delivered big time and came through the clutch for the Rebels, as Childs shifted along a pass for Brown’s second marker of the game to give them the lead back once and for all, as Cuba-Rushford finished a perfect 3-0 week going into the weekend by capturing the 2-1 win over Wellsville on Homecoming Eve.

“This was a really great effort from every player that stepped on the field tonight,” said Rebels coach Rob Wight. “Carter and Robert were able to link up and provide the goals for us, but I cannot say enough about Finn Ricketts and Brock Stadler on the back line. Those guys played great to keep us in the game through some rough stretches. This was a big week for us and to go 3-0 in it, we hope this is the beginning of us kicking on the tires going towards Sectionals to defend that title.”

What can Brown do for you? — The answer to that question was earn the game’s first lead for the Rebels (6-4-1), as he wasted no time finding the back of the net right off the hop against the Lions with the first of two excellent passes sent along by Childs, knocking it home at the 35:35 mark to claim the advantage.

It was a lead that the Rebels continued to hold, all while the Lions (5-3-4) stacked a bundle of pressure up against them every step of the way. Deep in the second half, they were able to tie the game because of it, as Aiden Cowburn delivered a missile straight to the back of the net off a pass sent along by Blake Kalkhof with 23:51 left to play to create a brand new ballgame for the home stretch.

It was anyone’s game to declare victory, but after withstanding all that Wellsville threw against them, the Rebels were able to break through one last time behind the aid of Brown and Childs again, as the two interlinked on the game-winning goal to give them a strong end to an even more brilliant week of soccer.

The victory in between the posts belonged to Caleb Elliott, who withstood a storm of pressure from Wellsville to record 13 saves out of 14 total shots faced, while Gavin Haggerty made five saves out of seven shots faced for the Lions on the opposite end of the pitch.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday night in a pair of 7 p.m. first kicks, as Cuba-Rushford heads up the interstate to Hinsdale to take on Friendship/Scio, while Wellsville continues journeying up north with a visit to Fillmore.

Houghton Academy 7, Friendship/Scio 1

HOUGHTON — The Panthers of Houghton Academy were firing their cannons left and right on Friday, as David Jatta and Huy Ho collaborated to produce a hat trick each, with Josh Davidson mixing in a goal himself along the way to help set up the team’s successful return home on Friday, following their massive 2-1 win down the road in Fillmore just 48 hours ago, scorching a trail of glory past visiting Friendship/Scio with a 7-1 win.

Right out of the gate, four goals between both teams were scored in just over a six-minute span, with Houghton Academy (9-3) netting three of them to take a commanding 3-1 lead on Friendship/Scio beginning with the first of three goals from Jatta, who knocked home a feed from Davidson at the 33:48 mark to open the scoring.

Friendship/Scio (0-12) tied the game almost immediately after the score, as Charlie Taylor poked home the score a mere 2:23 later. In nearly the same timeframe, the Panthers remained full speed ahead to take the lead back again, going back-to-back in a two-minute span with Jatta and Ho providing the markers. Jatta handed out an assist to Ho on his first score, while Davidson collected a helper on Jatta’s second score of the half.

Jatta would go on to finish off his hat trick in the first half, and a 4-1 lead for Houghton Academy going into halftime, as James Nguyen sent along a pass that ultimately found the back of the net with 10 minutes left in the half.

In the second half, Jatta dished out two more assists to Ho, allowing him to complete his hat trick while Jatta put the finishing touches on a nine-point night on offense. Davidson had the team’s final goal with 11:59 left on the clock. The seven goals for the Panthers stemmed off 19 shots against Friendship/Scio, as they went on to claim the 19-2 advantage.

In net, Jerry Pham recorded the victory behind just one save for Houghton Academy, while Deacon Brown made 16 saves for Friendship/Scio.

On Tuesday, both teams re-emerge to the playing surface for battle again, with the Panthers hitting the road for a 5 p.m. visit to Bolivar-Richburg, while Friendship/Scio stays out on the road for a trip to Hinsdale to meet host Cuba-Rushford at 7 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER

Bolivar-Richburg 2, Friendship/Scio 1

BOLIVAR — The lights of historic Dunsmore-Latimer Field on Homecoming Eve usually illuminate for action on the gridiron. But after the recent cancellation of the remainder of the football season for Bolivar-Richburg earlier this week, the Lady Wolverines navigated to the front of the line to embrace Fall’s biggest limelight with a visit from Friendship/Scio on Friday.

The two foes put together an electric performance for everyone in attendance, with all three combined goals finding the back of the net in the last 10 minutes of each segment of action. But the pace of play was primarily controlled by the Lady Wolverines, who found the back of the net first before halftime and maintained their momentum into the final stages of battle to hang on and cling to a 2-1 edge over Friendship/Scio.

After waging war through the midfield for possession, Bolivar-Richburg (3-7) was able to break their way through to the board with four minutes remaining in the first half behind a strong pass across the front of the Friendship/Scio box from Cassidy Stives to find Rylee Whiting, as the shot was finished off straight to the corner for a 1-0 lead into the break.

The lead would remain intact, but not without some pressure from Friendship/Scio (3-6-1) down the stretch, despite a massive piece of insurance coming with 8:49 left to play, as the Lady Wolverines doubled their lead in an enormous way by the aid of Stives once again, shifting along her second helper of the game to Teegan Sibble, who sped in and knocked it home.

Jordyn Nickerson would alter the last two minutes of play for Friendship/Scio, as she erased Bolivar-Richburg’s shutout bid with a solo rush into the offensive zone, finishing home her shot right down the middle, beating goalkeeper Maya Zilker with 2:06 left. But although the visitors in white and black were beginning to inch ever so closer behind them, the Lady Wolverines were able to hang on until the end to clinch Homecoming victory in front of their home fans.

11 combined shots were recorded between both offenses, with Friendship/Scio claiming the narrow 6-5 advantage. In net, the win was captured by Zilker, who made five of those saves for the Lady Wolverines. On the other side, Avery Lamberson set aside three shots she faced for the visitors, who now get set for battle on Monday with a 7 p.m. trip to Jasper-Troupsburg.

The Lady Wolverines have a quick turnaround this afternoon in Whitesville, as they take on host Andover/Whitesville in a 1 p.m. Homecoming matinee. The boys game will follow immediately afterwards, at 3 p.m.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Cuba-Rushford 3, Fillmore 1

CUBA — With the Lady Eagles of Fillmore continuing to assemble some of their strongest volleyball of the season, it was a challenge that host Cuba-Rushford faced in a rare Friday afternoon matinee inside the Wighthouse in Cuba.

After a resilient fight from the Lady Eagles to keep their hopes alive, the Lady Rebels came right back through another back-and-forth battle across the fourth and final set of action, as they warded off Fillmore to close out the victory on their home floor by a 25-21, 25-18, 18-25, 25-21 count.

The Lady Rebels (6-5) were propelled by another outstanding performance from Kendall Tompkins across all angles of the floor, as she posted a whopping 29 assists to pair with 14 digs, five kills and five aces. Kate Radomski had 10 kills and three aces, while Jordyn Radomski chipped in with nine additional kills, six aces and three kills.

On the opposite side of the net, Fillmore (7-5) was led by Mya Keeler and her six kills, four aces and four digs. Michaela Lewis pitched in with three aces of her own from the service line, going with one kill, while setter Eleanor Reitnour handed out 10 helpers to go with three more aces.

Both teams are back on the floor Tuesday night, with the Lady Rebels welcoming in Wellsville for battle in a 7:30 p.m. first serve, while Fillmore hits the road again for a 6:30 p.m. visit to Houghton Academy.

Genesee Valley/Belfast 3, Andover/Whitesville 1

ANDOVER — Host Andover/Whitesville had not met Genesee Valley/Belfast since the very beginning of their inaugural season on the court back in early September. Fast forward a month later, they came out swinging with a fierce challenge against their opposition with an early first set victory in their back pocket.

But afterwards, Genesee Valley/Belfast buckled down and kept Andover/Whitesville off the board in the last three matches of the night, as they scored a big four-set rally on the road, claiming the 18-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-20 win in Andover, Friday night.

“It was a great match. It was our Homecoming weekend, we had a huge student section and the place was rocking. It was very fun to see,” said Andover/Whitesville coach Jake Bannerman. “This was much improved from our last matchup with GV/Belfast. Darren’s (Bradt) girls and their serves really became the difference maker. But despite that, it was great to be a part of. The girls are really buying in and showing their competitiveness.”

Genesee Valley/Belfast (2-6) was paced by Addy Bradt, who posted four big aces from the service line. Enasjah Koontz recorded three aces and two kills.

Andover/Whitesville (0-11) saw Lilly Ordiway propel the attack behind seven kills and five aces.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday night in a pair of 7:30 p.m. contests, with Genesee Valley/Belfast hitting the road again for battle at Bolivar-Richburg, while Andover/Whitesville stays home to welcome in Hinsdale.

GIRLS TENNIS

Wellsville 4, Wayland-Cohocton 1

WAYLAND — The Lady Lions of Wellsville went full steam ahead into Sectionals with a strong finish to another phenomenal regular season campaign on Friday, as they hit the road for Wayland-Cohocton and left town with another victory in hand — their 13th, as the defending Class B2 Champions wrapped up at 13-1 overall with a 4-1 win over the host Lady Eagles.

The Lady Lions flip-flopped their starting lineup, and accounted for two wins in each field of competition — including a sweep of both doubles matches against Wayland-Cohocton, both in dominant fashion. At first doubles, the team of Caitlin Bittel and Hanna Miles came together to produce a 10-1 win over Virginia Carr and Harlee Grodis, while the second doubles duo of Sarah Mattison and McKenna Wonderling handled business with a 10-2 win over Cora Hosmer and Grace Bondgren.

In the singles matches, Samantha Bidzerkowny delivered a strong finish to her regular season campaign with a 10-2 win over Ava Senka at first singles. Down in third singles, Shayla Cowan provided a 10-2 win of her own to round off Wellsville’s wins, claiming it over Ruby Yacono.

Wayland-Cohocton earned just one win from second singles competitor Lillian Scholtes, as she defeated Wellsville’s Peyton Cawley in hard-fought fashion with a narrow 10-8 decision.

The Lady Lions will now prepare for Individual Sectional play beginning this afternoon in Canandaigua before Team Sectionals commences next week.

Singles

1. Samantha Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Ava Senka (W-C), 10-2.

2. Lillian Scholtes (W-C) def. Peyton Cawley (WLSV), 10-8.

3. Shayla Cowan (WLSV) def. Ruby Yacono (W-C), 10-2.

Doubles

1. Caitin Bittel/Hanna Miles (WLSV) def. Virginia Carr/Harlee Grodis (W-C), 10-1.

2. Sarah Mattison/McKenna Wonderling (WLSV) def. Cora Hosmer/Grace Bondgren (W-C), 10-2.