Thursday Roundup: Lady Sea Lions stellar in season debut, roll past LCAA rival Livonia with 113-73 Senior Night victory

Written By Chris Brooks

WELLSVILLE — It was a day three years in the making for the Lady Sea Lions. The program has put together dominant season after dominant season, year after year. But the one common denominator out of it all — they have not had the chance to beat Livonia.

Thursday brought about a chance to finally hop over that tall hurdle the Lady Sea Lions could not climb in recent memory. Now, they stood tall amongst the rest of the Livingston County League, as they managed to finally take down its giant, as Wellsville placed first in eight of the 12 events in the water to take down the Lady Bulldogs by a 113-73 triumph to start their season off strong.

“We’ve been thinking about this meet for about three years now, and you can get a read as far as age group of girls. I knew that Livonia was going to graduate a ton from their team last year,” Lady Sea Lions coach Steve Hand said. “They lost 10 seniors, and all of them were in Sectionals. That really hurt them, but in the same turn, they gained 15 girls so their team was a lot younger, and a lot longer. Our younger girls gave us the advantage tonight. Some of the times we had a lot to qualify already. The rest of the year looks good, and if there was a way to get us set up for Sectionals, this was it here.”

The Lady Sea Lions (1-0) have just two seniors leading the charge in what is expected to be yet another exciting season in the aqua. One of them being Lauren Staba, who is off to a dominant start with a pair of victories, as well as taking part in both of the team’s relay victories through the meet.

Staba’s first individual victory came in the back half, in the 100 butterfly, speeding her way to a 1:12.10 first place time. She would then assist in back-to-back first place finishes by racing the first leg in the team’s winning 200 freestyle relay event (1:56.47), alongside Tiernee Brandes, Isabelle Hart and Hayden Waldon. The four collaborated once again in the very first meet of the night - the 200 medley relay, with a medaling-time of 2:33.39.

Immediately after the 200 freestyle relay, Staba then added a 100 backstroke win with a 1:11.11 time.

Hand said that both Staba, and fellow senior Leah McCormick will both be leaned upon to guide a youthful, and skilled Lady Sea Lions this season, hoping for big success along the way.

“The two seniors we have, they lead the way in every practice to help get us going,” he said. “It’s been a tough year with splitting practices, but I think the girls really performed well tonight. This group’s never really seen that big success. We can be good at 9-1, 10-1, and we’re losing one meet, that being to Livonia. We finally got over that hump, and now it’s just focusing on Sectionals. A lot of these girls don’t understand that it’s about times. This first meet really helped expose some flaws that they may have, and it will allow them to work on them and get better. Now it’s up to me to get them into the pool again, and help them work on it.”

Hayden Waldon also added a pair of victories for the Lady Sea Lions, one in each half of the meet, with her first coming in the 200 individual relay (2:32.18), and later on in the 500 freestyle (5:54.36). On the diving board, Ashley Oswald was dominant, nailing a pair of 2.2 degree of difficulty dives to finish with a 180.89 first place score for Wellsville - a position the long time Lady Sea Lions coach says he would love to take the distance toward the State meet. An event Wellsville has not had a diver participate in since Ann Hurd back in the 2005 season.

Those were one of the many goals Hand talked with his team about entering the season on Thursday.

“A lot of the girls that were returning to the team this year, have reached that Sectional stage before. Some of them scored points for us during that time,” Hand said. “Most of the girls and their goals, are to get a higher spot in the Sectional tournament. We know the point totals are going to be bigger. They’re working really hard toward that, and our divers are looking at more difficult dives. We’re really going to shoot for that diving record this year that Ann has had up their for 15 years. She was the last one to go to States as a diver.”

Grace Kinnicutt added the last individual victory for the Lady Sea Lions in the 50 freestyle (29.25). As far as leading up to the season, and building off yet another historic campaign, Hand says that he is very fortunate to come out and compete, with a decision regarding the Sectional tournament this fall hanging in the balance after the week.

He said that having any meet is certainly better than have no meets at all.

“We’re really excited about this year. We look strong. Monday we’re supposed to know the decision of whether or not we will have Sectionals this year or not,” he said. “There’s been some scenarios being thrown around out there, but we’ll know for sure after the weekend. I don’t want to see the girls put in the time and effort for nothing. Being here to compete in our first meet, it’s better than nothing. Any meet is better than no meets, and an empty pool does not good either. We’re glad to be swimming, and I couldn’t be more excited about this group, and our potential. I think we’re going to perform well.”

Wellsville will enter a bye, and return to LCAA action next Thursday night back in their home pool, as they host the Lady Mustangs of Dansville for a 6:30 p.m. meet.

Results

200 Medley – 1. Wellsville (Brandes, Waldon, Hart, Staba) 2:33.39, 2. Wellsville, 3. Livonia.

200 Free – 1. Lila Meyers (LIV) 2:19.80, 2. Tiernee Brandes (WLSV), 3. Ellie LaBenne (WLSV).

200 IMR – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 2:32.18, 2. Maura Miller (LIV), 3. Isabelle Hart (WLSV).

50 Free – 1. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV) 29.25, 2. Katie DeWater (LIV), 3. Kiera Mayo (LIV).

Diving – 1. Ashley Oswald (WLSV) 180.89, 2. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV), 3. Zoe Bailey (LIV).

100 Fly – 1. Lauren Staba (WLSV) 1:12.10, 2. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV), 3. Angela Tawksbury (LIV).

100 Free – 1. Lila Meyers (LIV) 1:02.79, 2. Tiernee Brandes (WLSV), 3. Isabelle Hart (WLSV).

500 Free – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 5:54.36, 2. Maura Miller (LIV), 3. Ellie LaBenne (WLSV).

200 Relay – 1. Wellsville (Staba, Brandes, Hart, Waldon) 1:56.47, 2. Livonia, 3. Wellsville.

100 Back – 1. Lauren Staba (WLSV) 1:11.11, 2. Morgan Mattison (WLSV), 3. Emily Budinger (WLSV).

100 Breaststroke – 1. Angela Tawksbury (LIV) 1:20.73, 2. Allie Bidzerkowny (WLSV), 3. Kaelyn Crawford (WLSV).

400 Free – 1. Livonia (Miller, Evans, DeWater, Meyers) 4:36.29, 2. Wellsville, 3. Livonia.

BOYS SOCCER

Wellsville 2, Genesee Valley 1

WELLSVILLE — While the swimming was happening down below, the lights were on outback of the school in Wellsville for the boys squad to take the field once again, as the Lions played host to Genesee Valley.

After starting out fast in their shutout of Cuba-Rushford to open the season, Wellsville’s start to their game on Thursday was a mirror image, as Aidan Riley scored his first of the season nearly 10 minutes into the game to help set the pace, setting up what came to be a 2-1 edging of the Jaguars to start the season 2-0.

“2-0 feels really good. We watched some film, and we’ve learned a lot from seeing ourselves on the field, and we made some corrections,” said Lions coach Matt Buckley. “Credit to the guys going out, and fixing things up. We have a smart bunch, and they realize that they’re more than capable. We looked much better tonight. Our shape was better, we completed more passes. It was nice seeing two young guys get on the board. We generated more chances than our first game. All in all, the overall play was much better.”

Riley’s goal came at the nine minute mark of the opening half, dribbling the ball along the right side of the Genesee Valley net to find the far side, and a 1-0 Lions (2-0) lead. They would hold said lead up until the 37th minute, when Ethan Bailey branched the lead to a pair at the break, letting his shot go from the same area as Riley’s for the goal.

From that point, the Lions looked to their defense to continue syphoning any momentum they could gain from the Jaguars (0-2-1) in the last 40 minute period. The majority of the second half was a success, but Genesee Valley would eliminate any chance at a shutout for Wellsville past the 10 minute mark with Will Scholes netting the team’s first goal of the season to narrow the deficit to one.

But in the end, the Wellsville defense prevailed to hang onto their early established lead.

In goal, Logan Dunbar preserved the win making just one save for the Lions, while Keegan McKnight made two for the Jaguars. In the shot department, Wellsville outshot Genesee Valley by a 6-4 margin.

On Wednesday, both teams will return to the field, as Wellsville will continue their hot start to the year with Bolivar-Richburg in for a visit at 6 p.m. The Jaguars of Genesee Valley will head back out on the road for a 7 p.m. contest at Cuba-Rushford, as they continue to search for their first win of the young season.

Fillmore 8, Bolivar-Richburg 1

BOLIVAR — Mitchell Ward continued his hot start to his season for the Eagles of Fillmore, as he netted three more goals, two of them inside a five-goal opening half for the team, as they set the tone immediately in their 8-1 road win at Bolivar-Richburg, Thursday night.

Ward picked up an assist on the game’s opening goal from Isaiah Voss, who scored nearly six minutes in to clinch an early 1-0 lead for Fillmore (3-0).

Ward would go on to score the next two goals in a span of 1:15 to branch their lead out to a trio of goals, scoring off assists provided by Mason Cool and Zach Sisson. Sisson, along with Zach Herring would finish off the first half scoring with goals of their own for the Eagles.

Bolivar-Richburg’s (2-1) lone goal was scored at the 37:22 mark of the first half by Jarrod Polk, who connected with a feed from Mark Pangburn to help cut the deficit to four at the break.

Fillmore would collect their last three goals from Voss, Ward and Sisson, with the first two coming in a span of nearly four minutes to open the second half with a 7-1 lead. Sisson’s second and final goal came at the 57:29 mark from a Voss pass. In all, Cool added two assists in the second half, totaling three on the night.

“It was an amazing team effort again. These guys are great to be around, they bring so much energy and they just all want to be around each other. That’s what really drives us, and strives us to be good.” said Eagles assistant coach Jordan Mullen.

In net, Dylan Valentine recorded the victory for the visitors with four saves, while Wayne Karnuth provided eight stops for the Wolverines.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday, as Fillmore hits the road once more for a 7 p.m. contest in Scio, while Bolivar-Richburg visits Wellsville for a 6 p.m. battle.

Cuba-Rushford 2, Scio 2

CUBA — Although the shots were heavily in the favor of one side, Scio was able to balance the other side of the seesaw all the way through overtime.

Their quick first half start held up despite Cuba-Rushford tying the game in the second half to force two sets of extra time, all of which being used up in its entirety, as the Tigers and Rebels would decide on a 2-2 tie at the end of the night on Thursday.

“I think we had more opportunities that they did. As the sheet shows, they really capitalized in the first half, and that made it a bit harder for us to get back into the game,” Rebels coach Nick Perillo said. “We would have loved to win, and we certainly had our chances to win. Fortunately enough, we were able to force a tie.”

Scio (1-1-1) got onto the board first at the midway mark of the half, as Cam Loucks earned the opportunity after a penalty inside the Cuba-Rushford box resulting in a capitalized free kick by the senior to give them the 1-0 lead.

To close the half, Loucks dished out an apple to Ashton Jennings with seven minutes remaining to assist the Tigers in taking a 2-0 advantage into the break.

But, the Rebels (0-1-1) were able to see the rise of Caden Granger in the second half, as he accounted for both goals off feeds provided by Maddox Keller to tie the game, forcing the pair of extra time sessions. Both Granger goals were scored in a span of two minutes within each other.

In all, the Rebels heavily outshot the Tigers by a 20-6 count in the shot department, with Cory Bolzan making nine saves in net for the Tigers. On the other side, Jarrett Campbell made five saves for the hosts.

Scio will have the spotlight as the County’s only game in action on Saturday, as they welcome in the Belfast Bulldogs for a 5 p.m. Senior Night contest. Cuba-Rushford will welcome in Genesee Valley for a 7 p.m. contest on Wednesday.

Belfast 2, Andover/Whitesville 1

BELFAST — Spencer Cook was able to get Andover/Whitesville on the board first in the opening half, but it was all they could muster, as Belfast responded with two big goals to take the lead away, and for good to settle on a 2-1 victory over the Panthers on Thursday at home.

“Andover scored first, and then we battled right back,” Bulldogs coach Mark Sullivan said. “It was 2-1 at the half, and I was pleased with how we fought back. Spencer Cook is tough for them over there, and we tried to contain him. The boys are getting better each and every game, and we’ll be back to full strength soon with a few kids still out sick. This was a great team effort with solid defense all around.”

Cook scored the game’s opener unassisted to help Andover/Whitesville hold the threshold early. Not long after, Chris Weaver scored his first career varsity goal for the Bulldogs (2-1) on an assist from Matt Weaver to tie the game at one.

Two minutes later, Belfast went on to take the lead with Matt Weaver getting his second goal of the season, as Stiven Lopez provided a feed up the field to a streaking Weaver where he was able to finish the shot behind keeper Colby Gaines to hold the advantage at the half, and ultimately for good.

When it was said and done on defense, Stephen Struckmann earned the win in goal for Belfast, stopping four shots. Gaines completed the evening with nine saves on the other end for the Panthers (0-2).

Belfast will partake in a Saturday night matchup in Scio, meeting the Tigers for the first time since their Class D2 Finals matchup a season ago. First kick is slated for a 5 p.m. on Scio’s Senior Night.

As for Andover/Whitesville, their road trip continues further down Route 19, as they head to Houghton Academy for a 5 p.m. contest on Wednesday.

Houghton Academy 1, Hinsdale 0

HOUGHTON — Both Hinsdale and Houghton Academy fought their way through a competitive first half of play, but in the early stages, the host Panthers were able to break the ice as they scored the game’s lone goal to go on top for good with a 1-0 victory over Hinsdale on Thursday.

Warren Torraca was the recipient of a pass that came from center by Jessica Prentice, knocking it past Hinsdale goalkeeper Ethan Cashimere to hand Houghton Academy (1-1) the 1-0 lead permanently to earn their first win of the season.

Chris Habecker earned his first shutout of the season for the Panthers, stopping nine Hinsdale shots. On the other side, Cashimere finished with eight saves.

Next up, Houghton Academy will welcome in Andover/Whitesville for a 5 p.m. home opener on Wednesday, while Hinsdale plays host to incoming Friendship next Thursday at 5 p.m.

Chris Brooks
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