Thursday Roundup: After scoreless 1st half, Fillmore turns on jets, score two big goals to lock up home field in Sectionals behind 2-0 shutout of Wellsville

Written By Chris Brooks

FILLMORE — Thursday night brought about the chance for the Fillmore Eagles to do everything. With another Division I championship already under their belt, it was a chance to lock up an undefeated season as well as gain home field advantage throughout the Sectional playoffs when the second season begins next week.

To do that, they would have to take care of business back on their home field against the Wellsville Lions, who they already battled tough with over the road in Wellsville earlier in the season. And like that matchup, it was another battle that the Eagles had to navigate through to get into the winner’s circle.

With thanks to Mason Cool and Mitch Ward, Fillmore was able to do that by making a second half splash, breaking what was a scoreless first half tie to jump ahead of the Lions for good, as they capped off a perfect 12-0 regular season as well as the number one seed in the Class D1 bracket for Sectionals behind their 2-0 shutout of Wellsville.

“It’s an undefeated regular season, which is something that has happened only one other time before this year in our program’s history,” said Eagles assistant coach Jordan Mullen. “We got another County championship and we locked up home field in Sectionals for at least the first three games. Tonight, the way we approached was a Sectional feeling. It was for all the marbles, and we responded well. Wellsville did a good job being physically prepared, and they gave the guys a bit of a challenge again. But fortunately, we were able to find a way to pull away.”

Both teams would have their fair share of early opportunities in the opening half, before things simmered down to a rolling boil with the Lions and Eagles engaging in what became a midfield battle over possession. For the most part, the hosts in black and green took advantage of that department by keeping Wellsville pinned in their defensive zone while making the pushes down the field and keeping the ball in the zone.

But there was no damage that was done, as both teams went into halftime scoreless.

In the second half, it was a different story. The Eagles (12-0) came out red hot with help from the County’s leading scorer: Mitch Ward. The Fillmore sophomore received a pass moments after the first kick at center from Alex Ellsworth, as he booted it down the field to a streaking Ward, who was able to put the finishing touches on the chance just 35 seconds into the second half to break the ice.

The 1-0 Eagles lead was kept and improved upon later on after the midfield battle raged on. With 11 minutes remaining in the game, Mason Cool kept the hosts in the driver’s seat for good with a goal of his own, taking a Ward corner kick and heading it into the Wellsville (6-2-1) net to seal the deal on the win.

Fillmore outshot Wellsville by a 12-5 total count, with Dylan Valentine making all five saves in goal to preserve the shutout. Logan Dunbar made 10 saves for the Lions.

The regular season for both teams is now over, as they now await Sectional play. Fillmore will have the top seed in the Class D1 field and will return to action next weekend after earning a first-round bye. Meanwhile, Wellsville finishes with a record of 6-2-1 and will await their spot in the Class B2 bracket.

Cuba-Rushford 4, Belfast 0

BELFAST — Caden Granger and Nate Cole led a bounce back performance for the Rebels of Cuba-Rushford over the road, Thursday night. After the team exited Scio with their second tie against the Tigers this season, Cuba-Rushford pushed all their chips to the center table and won the hand, as both Rebels scored a pair of goals to lead the offense toward a 4-0 shutout over the Bulldogs of Belfast.

For the majority of the first half, it was a 1-0 lead in favor of the Rebels (3-4-2) with Granger scoring the first goal of the game with 14 minutes remaining to play. In the second half, Granger electrified the start of the new session with his second of the game coming five minutes in to extend the lead out to a pair.

Then, Cole would get on the board himself in the back half of the final stanza with his pair of goals, with the first coming after the midway break before he put the icing on the cake with two minutes remaining with his second, and team’s fourth to complete the shutout.

“We put together a great team performance against a great in Belfast,” Rebels coach Nick Perillo said. “It was from start to finish. It was the most teamwork I’ve seen this year between the guys, and they really dug in to deliver three gritty goals out of the four. Both Jarret and Jack played great in net to help keep that shutout in tact.”

Granger and Landon Wight would earn assists on two of the four goals for Cuba-Rushford. On defense, Jarrett Campbell and Jack Frank split time in goal, as they combined to make seven saves to preserve the blank. On the other end, Stephen Struckmann also made seven saves for the Bulldogs (8-3).

Cuba-Rushford will look to end their regular season on a high note tonight back home, as they welcome in the Bolivar-Richburg Wolverines at 6 p.m. to close up shop. Belfast’s regular season however, is done, as they now await Sectionals with an overall record of 8-3.

Genesee Valley 0, Scio 0

SCIO — For the second consecutive game and the fourth time this season, the Scio Tigers have battled their opposition toward a tie. On Thursday, the Tigers and visiting Genesee Valley Jaguars fought the battle through 100 total minutes of soccer under the lights, but neither team could find the score to break the ice, as the game travels its way toward a scoreless tie.

“Cory (Bolzan) made some great saves to go with his great game in goal,” Tigers coach Dillon McFall said. “We were missing five guys tonight, and we played the entire 100 minutes with 11. We didn’t have too many scoring chances, but I commend out guys for putting forth the effort in toward getting the result that we just couldn’t get in the end.”

21 total shots combined were accumulated by both teams in the entirety of the contest, with Genesee Valley’s (3-5-2) offense receiving the bulk of those opportunities, as they outshot Scio (2-6-4) by a 17-4 total count. Cory Bolzan earned a shutout on his behalf with 13 saves, while Keegan McKnight picked up a shutout himself on the other end behind just one save.

The regular season is over for the Tigers, as they wrap up with a record of 2-6-4. As for the Jaguars, they will close their season out back home at Judy Bliven Field tonight, where they host the Friendship Golden Eagles in a 5 p.m. contest.

Andover/Whitesville 2, Hinsdale 1

HINSDALE — The Panthers of Andover/Whitesville were able to rebound off their 2-0 shutout loss at home to Belfast on Tuesday with a victory over the road two days later, as they were able to squeeze out a narrow 2-1 triumph over host Hinsdale, Thursday night.

Spencer Cook was responsible for leading the Panthers (4-5-1) offense on the frontlines, scoring both goals to total 10 on the season. On the other side, Hinsdale (1-6-2) received a goal from Noah Easterly.

Further statistics were not made available to report upon publication.

The regular season for both teams has now ended, with Andover/Whitesville finishing with a record of 4-5-1, while Hinsdale concludes with a record of 1-6-2.

Houghton Academy 4, Friendship 0

FRIENDSHIP — The main subject inside Thursday’s game in Friendship was scoring goals in a quick span. That was exactly what Houghton Academy did, scoring a pair of goals in each half of play in spans of under a minute to set the tone on their 4-0 shutout over the road over the host Golden Eagles.

Just past the halfway mark in the opening half, Ronnie Kuan got the Panthers (4-5) on the board with an early 1-0 lead, scoring off a pass provided to him by Jack Prentice. Not a minute later, they added to the lead by extending it out to a pair with Henry Sardina netting the first of two goals to send Houghton Academy into the break with a two-goal cushion, grabbing a Duy Le pass to put away.

Le then added a goal himself to start the second half out of the gate fast, making a solo run toward the Friendship (1-9) goal to put away his shot just two minutes in. 30 seconds later, the goal-scoring was finished off with Sardina’s second of the game as he made a solo rush in on goal to capitalize on his possession.

Despite the victory, Houghton Academy was narrowly outshot by the Golden Eagles, as Friendship took the 12-9 advantage. Chris Habecker tallied the shutout in between the pipes, saving all 12 shots he saw while Atlin Moore set aside eight shots for the hosts in purple.

Houghton Academy’s regular season comes to an end, as they now await Sectional seeding with a record of 4-5. Friendship will wrap up their regular season over the road at Judy Bliven Field in Belmont, as they take on the Genesee Valley Jaguars at 5 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS

Wellsville 5, Canisteo-Greenwood 0

WELLSVILLE — The Lady Lions of Wellsville finished their regular season on a strong note, as they provided four strong showings to go with a forfeit victory in the singles department to complete the sweep, as they rolled their way toward a 5-0 triumph over visiting Canisteo-Greenwood under the lights on Thursday.

Carina Kling and Alexa Hill led the way for the Lady Lions (6-4) in the singles department, with Hill sweeping her match at second singles with a 10-0 victory. Kling followed with a 10-3 victory of her own at first singles. The two Lady Lions will head for the Mendon Pool & Racquet Club on November 16 to take part in the Individual Sectional Tournament, with Hill representing the singles, while Kling partners with her sibling Cassie Kling in doubles action.

Rounding off the singles was Blakelyann Stonemetz, who picked up a third singles victory by forfeit.

In the doubles department, the Lady Lions teams of Meagan Riley and Maddy Marks, and Kelsey Seely and Lily Ball were both victorious to finish off the match sweep, recording wins of 10-6, and 10-3 respectively.

Wellsville finishes the regular season with a record of 6-4, and will now await the Individual Sectional Tournament.

Singles

1. Carina Kling (WLSV) def. Annabel Franclemont (C-G), 10-3.

2. Alexa Hill (WLSV) def. Kelsey Keough (C-G), 10-0.

3. Blakelyann Stonemetz (WLSV) by for.

Doubles

1. Meagan Riley/Maddy Parks (WLSV) def. Trinti Tigner/Zaida Stewart (C-G), 10-6.

2. Kelsey Seely/Lily Ball (WLSV) def. Alyiah Tigner/Danica Taft (C-G), 10-3.

Chris Brooks
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