By CHRIS BROOKS, wellsvillesports.com
For the visitors from CG/JT in red and white, all of the game’s scoring was done right in the first 40 minutes of play, and after a quick start on both sides, the visitors burst straight through the gate.
Led by Kadyn Piliero and Mya Rexford on the attack, Canisteo-Greenwood/Jasper-Troupsburg was able to break the ice 10 minutes in to lay the foundation down for a big first half while on defense, keeping the Lady Lions pinned deep in their own zone for a vast majority of time to allow a tone to be set in their 3-0 shutout on the road.
Rexford was the first to reach the board for the visitors in white and red, as she poked home a goal right in the first 10 minutes of play to earn the game’s first upper hand. The advantage was glued intact for the remainder of play, as the Lady Chargers continued to add onto the lead with the first of two Piliero goals 10 minutes later.
Piliero would assist in providing a strong finish with six minutes left until the break when she scored her second of the game off a helper dished along by Rexford, as the team shifted their focus to the defense in the last 40 minute stretch to keep Wellsville (2-4-1) at a standstill to preserve the shutout.
The Lady Chargers would go on to outshoot Wellsville by a 35-7 count, with Lydia Kaye staying busy between the posts for the Lady Lions with 32 saves. On the other end, the shutout was credited to McKenna Ferris, who made all seven saves.
Friendship/Scio 4, Hammondsport 2
SCIO — A rich feeling of excitement and ecstaticism was felt by the Friendship/Scio ladies after they battled tough and delivered the first loss that Genesee Valley/Belfast witnessed this season just 24 hours ago.
On Thursday, a chance to build off that came when they hosted Hammondsport for the first of two clashes in round-robin play of the Amy MacMichael Tournament in Scio. They would have to outlast the Lady Lakers across an early midfield battle for possession in the opening half, but when the door began to open up slightly, it was taken full advantage of.
Friendship/Scio has Nevaeh Ross and Lexi Crossley to thank for that, as the two combined of three of the team’s four goals — each scoring twice themselves to help set up a first half lead over their opposition that was remain intact despite some late pressure down the stretch, as they doubled up the Lady Lakers by a 4-2 count.
“We had some nice runs offensively, halfbacks and forwards. We could have done a lot better finishing the ball, but at the same time, with this being the second game of a back-to-back, it’s been a lot of minutes and the girls pulled out another win. I’m really proud of them for showing up and being ready to play.” said Friendship/Scio coach Dillon McFall.
After 20 minutes of hard-fought battling with Hammondsport across the field, Friendship/Scio (3-2) would connect with the first of their two first half goals, with the first off the foot of Ross, stemming off a pass sent along by Jordyn Nickerson for the finish to break the ice. With 4:10 left to play, a big goal by Crossley was added into the fray, as Ross dished along her first of two helpers to extend the lead by a pair going into break.
With all control leaning in their direction, the hosts in black and yellow added to their lead once again with Ross’ second goal of the battle from Crossley just over five minutes in to make it a 3-0 lead on Hammondsport. After the Lady Lakers responded later on off a direct kick by Nicole Merry, Crossley connected with Ross for the last time just past the midway mark to regain their three-goal lead.
Hammondsport would go on to finish off the scoring with a penalty kick conversion with 9:57 left by Gabby Doyle.
Friendship/Scio outshot the Lady Lakers by a 12-6 count, with Grace Drumm making four saves to record the victory in between the posts.
Amy MacMichael Tournament: Cuba-Rushford 2, Hammondsport 1
SCIO — The Lady Rebels of Cuba-Rushford controlled much of their first game at the Amy MacMichael Tournament in Scio on Friday, pouring 24 shots onto the Hammondsport cage. But the Lady Lakers would stand tall through it all, eventually forcing a humongous deadlock in the second half going down the homestretch.
But despite the late second half pressure against them, the Lady Rebels navigated their way back out on top with less than 10 minutes to go, grabbing the go-ahead goal they needed to put Hammondsport in the rearview mirror and their foot down on the gas to pick up what was a 2-1 victory.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Hammondsport. They played with 10 girls, nine at times. We struggled to finish around the goal again,” said Lady Rebels coach Aaron Wight. “Brynn (Lavery) played well for moving up to a new spot for the first time. Lily (Tompkins) and Cloey (Larabee) played a couple of really nice balls on their assists.”
The scoring would begin with the Lady Rebels (2-2) across the first 10 minutes of the game, led by an excellent performance from Brynn Lavery — who recorded both Cuba-Rushford goals, the first off a big helper from Lily Tompkins to break the ice.
The hosts would then lean upon their defense to hold the Lady Lakers in check to finish the first half and into the next 40 minutes. But Hammondsport would find their way onto the board in a big way with a score from Zayda Braun at the 23:26 mark, creating even playing ground with a 1-1 tie.
With a brand new ballgame taking the pitch by storm, the pressure against the Lady Rebels to provide a response was never higher. With 9:11 left to play, Cuba-Rushford would eat it all up with Lavery’s second score off a pass from Cloey Larabee to springboard ahead at one of the more crucial times of the contest, keeping their go-ahead lead glued together until the final horn to claim victory that awaited them.
The Lady Rebels went on to outshoot Hammondsport by a 24-3 count, with Annaleece Melton recording a two-save performance to claim the win in goal.
Cuba-Rushford will now meet with Friendship/Scio this morning right back in Scio for an 11 a.m. first kick to conclude the Amy MacMichael Tournament.
GIRLS TENNIS
Alfred-Almond 5, Fillmore 0
HOUGHTON — The Lady Eagles of Fillmore were at the top of their game Friday night over the road, as they swept the competition against another team of Eagles at Houghton College, returning home victorious with a 5-0 shutout of host Fillmore.Alfred-Almond saw Candy Zhou, Jen Bensley and Ellie Drozeski take advantage of the opportunity right from the start in their respective matches, as they recorded strong showings at first, second and third singles to help claim match victory. The first doubles team of Rose Schreiber and Sarah Eleshaky added to the cause with a 10-5 win of their own. At second doubles, Fillmore’s (1-5) team of Lena Tucker and Kirra Bentley fought tooth and nail in the midst of a tiebreak in pro-set action against Alfred-Almond’s Allegra Bordeaux and Lilly Geiger, but the visiting Lady Eagles squad was able to take care of business in the tiebreaker to finish off the shutout sweep at the end of the night.Fillmore returns to the court back on the road after the weekend, as they pay a visit to Canisteo-Greenwood on Monday at 5 p.m. Singles 1. Candy Zhou (A-A) def. Claire Schilke (FIL), 10-2. 2. Jen Bensley (A-A) def. Molly Mahoney (FIL), 10-3. 3. Ellie Drozeski (A-A) def. Spencer Hopkins (FIL), 10-4.Doubles1. Rose Schreiber/Sarah Eleshaky (A-A) def. Kira Morley/Indigo Knapp (FIL), 10-5. 2. Allegra Bordeaux/Lilly Geiger (A-A) def. Lena Tucker/Kirra Bentley (FIL), 10-9 (6).
Wellsville 5, Wayland-Cohocton 0
WELLSVILLE — To say that the Lady Lions of Wellsville are on an absolute roll to begin their 2023 campaign on the tennis court, would be an understatement. On Thursday, they kept that fire ablaze with Wayland-Cohocton in town for a visit, as the Lady Lions garnered victories in all five matches to sweep the Lady Eagles with their fifth straight win in a 5-0 decision.
Sam Bidzerkowny and Meagan Riley provided a big spark for the Lady Lions (5-0) in the singles department with outstanding play, as Bidzerkowny rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win over Wayland-Cohocton’s Pearl Walker at first singles, while Riley recorded a straight-set 6-0, 6-0 shutout of Chloe Hoffman at second singles. To record the sweep, Sarah Mattison was awarded a forfeit win at third singles.
The doubles action was highlighted by a pair of first career wins for both Delilah Dimpfl and Miles Aaron, as the two Lady Lions competitors took care of business with a 6-2, 6-2 win over the second doubles team of Harlee Grodis and Mia Swingle. At first doubles, Hanna Miles and Peyton Cawley finished off the match victory with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Virginia Carr and Cora Hosmer.
Tonight, the red hot Lady Lions are right back to it, as they prepare to welcome in Avoca/Prattsburgh/Hammondsport in a 5 p.m. first serve.
Singles
1. Sam Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Pearl Walker (W-C), 6-0, 6-1.
2. Meagan Riley (WLSV) def. Chloe Hoffman (W-C), 6-0, 6-0.
3. Sarah Mattison (WLSV) by for.
Doubles
1. Hanna Miles/Peyton Cawley (WLSV) def. Virginia Carr/Cora Hosmer (W-C), 6-1, 6-0.
2. Delilah Dimpfl/Miles Aaron (WLSV) def. Harlee Grodis/Mia Swingle (W-C), 6-2, 6-2.
Saturday: Wellsville 4, Addison 1
The Lions tennis team continued their torrid start by improving to 7-0 with a 4-1 win over Addison.
Just as impressive as their record was coming back to the tennis courts 12 hours after the lights were turned off from a win over A-P. The team won three matches in a 4-hour span.
They will get Sunday off. The Lions are home against Alfred-Almond on Monday.
Samantha Bidzerkowny, who played the three-hour match on Friday, returned to defeat Alex Boutelle, 6-1 and 6-2.
In second singles, Meagan Riley picked up a 6-0, 6-2 decision over Katherine Ames 6-0, 6-2.
The Wellsville doubles teams had a sweep as well with Hanna Miles and Caitlin Bittel winning at first doubles and McKenna Wonderling and Peyton Cawley picking up the win by forfeit.
Wellsville Coach Billy Stives was impressed with the effort and said, “The girls played very well today.”
Singles
1. Samantha Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Alex Boutelle (ADD) 6-1, 6-2
2. Meagan Riley (WLSV) def. Katherine Ames (ADD) 6-0, 6-2.
3. Sadie Strauss (ADD) def. Sarah Mattison (WLSV) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1
Doubles
1. Hanna Miles/Caitlin Bittel (WLSV) d. Jessi Balance/Kaylee Keech (ADD) 6-0, 6-2.
2. McKenna Wonderling/Peyton Cawley (WLSV) by forfeit.
WELLSVILLE — Sam Bidzerkowny was one of the last Lady Lions competitors left on the court on Friday. As the sun began to set, the lights soon came on as she and Avoca/Prattsburgh’s Genevieve Dabby engaged in a first singles battle for the books. Points were traded back and forth, leading up to a third-set tiebreak.
A tiebreak that Bidzerkowny would deliver the upper hand on, as she went on to defeat Dabby in a thriller to help finish off what would become a 5-0 sweep of the Lady Titans to record their sixth straight win to open their 2023 campaign.
After falling in the opening set in a close 6-4 decision to Dabby, Bidzerkowny rallied back in yet another close battle to record a 6-4 win herself to tie the game at one. When the lights came on for the third and final set between the two competitors, it would need even more time to decide the winner, as the action was forced into a tie break after a 6-all tie — one that Bidzerkowny would break to end an incredible match from start to finish.
The Lady Lions (6-0) would also see Meagan Riley and Sarah Mattison help finish off the singles sweep with their straight-set wins at second and third singles, respectively. In doubles action, the team of Hanna Miles and Caitlin Bittel survived a second-set tie break with Avoca/Prattsburgh’s Olivia Mullen and Gracie Cole to record the 6-1, 7-5 win, while Kelsey Seely and McKenna Wonderling swept their second doubles match in shutout style with a 6-0, 6-0 win.
Wellsville turns right back around and hops back onto their home court this morning with a 10 a.m. first serve against Addison.
Singles
1. Sam Bidzerkowny (WLSV) def. Genevieve Dabby (A/P), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5).
2. Meagan Riley (WLSV) def. Camryn Moore (A/P), 6-2, 6-2.
3. Sarah Mattison (WLSV) def. Pauline Charron (A/P), 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles
1. Hanna Miles/Caitlin Bittel (WLSV) def. Olivia Mullen/Gracie Cole (A/P), 6-1, 7-5.
2. Kelsey Seely/McKenna Wonderling (WLSV) def. Ginny Savage/Nataley Patoine (A/P), 6-0, 6-0.
Wayland-Cohocton swimming
One week removed from a strong debut at Bath-Haverling, the momentum shift would begin for the reigning three-peat Class C Champion Lady Sea Lions of Wellsville on Thursday to close out the week, as they dove into their home waters for the first time with a visit from Wayland-Cohocton.
Right from the start, the Lady Sea Lions wasted no time establishing their presence, as they went on to capture four straight top finishes to open the meet against the Lady Eagles, setting the tone immediately out of the gate and going forward, as they claimed eight total first place times to put towards what was a 90-77 victory.
“It was a good first meet at home. Both teams put in a great shot in front of a lot of fans, and that was great to see,” said Lady Sea Lions coach Steve Hand. “Losing three key seniors in a winning season last year can be tough to replace. So far, the girls are doing a fine job. From seniors on down to the first and second year swimmers, everyone is swimming hard. Kaylee (Oswald) looks strong early on, Hayden (Waldon) is swimming pretty smooth, Morgan (Mattison) has been doing well at the sprints, Ashley (Oswald) scored a new dive tonight. They all keep improving and working hard.”
Morgan Mattison and Hayden Waldon both led the Lady Sea Lions (2-0) with a pair of individual wins each, one in each half of the meet, with Mattison recording her triumphant finishes in the 200 individual medley relay and later in the 100 freestyle, while Waldon medaled with first place wins in the 50 freestyle and in the 500 freestyle.
Wellsville would also come away victorious with two wins in the relay department. Among the competitors — Grace Kinnicutt, who raced a leg in the team’s winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays, sandwiching a 100 butterfly individual victory in between. Rounding off the victories for the hosts was Kaylee Oswald, who triumphed in the 200 freestyle.
Wayland-Cohocton picked up four first place wins, with Claire Donlon leading the charge off the Diving board. Kailyn Mark (100 backstroke) and Jillian Eddy (100 breaststroke) also had first place finishes while ending the meet with a winning time in the 400 freestyle relay.
The Lady Sea Lions are back in their home waters Tuesday night with a 5 p.m. visit from the Hornell Lady Raiders.
Results
Team Scores: Wellsville 90, Wayland-Cohocton 77.
200 Medley – 1. Wellsville (K. Oswald, Bidzerkowny, Kinnicutt, Waldon) 2:10.52, 2. Wayland-Cohocton, 3. Wellsville.
200 Free – 1. Kaylee Oswald (WLSV) 2:22.14, 2. Jillian McInture (W-C), 3. Lily Miller (WLSV).
200 IMR – 1. Morgan Mattison (WLSV) 2:32.65, 2. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV), 3. Allie Bidzerkowny (WLSV).
50 Free – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 27.34, 2. Courtney Goodwin (W-C), 3. Emily Budinger (WLSV).
Diving – 1. Claire Donlon (W-C) 192.07, 2. Ashley Oswald (WLSV).
100 Fly – 1. Grace Kinnicutt (WLSV) 1:10.67, 2. Courtney Goodwin (W-C), 3. Reegan Perkins (WLSV).
100 Free – 1. Morgan Mattison (WLSV) 59.44, 2. Emily Budinger (WLSV), 3. Skylar Richardson (W-C).
500 Free – 1. Hayden Waldon (WLSV) 5:49.55, 2. Megan VanEtten (WLSV), 3. Natalie Williamson (W-C).
200 Relay – 1. Wellsville (Kinnicutt, Budinger, Perkins, Mattison) 1:56.89, 2. Wellsville/Wayland-Cohocton.
100 Back – 1. Kailyn Mark (W-C) 1:24.45, 2. Natalie Quackenbush (W-C).
100 Breaststroke – 1. Jillian Eddy (W-C) 1:32.10, 2. Jillian McInture (W-C), 3. Madelyn Smart (W-C).
400 Free – 1. Wayland-Cohocton (Goodwin, Donlon, Mark, Richardson) 4:32.48, 2. Wayland-Cohocton.
Boys soccer
Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg 3, Houghton Academy 2
HOUGHTON — Each team would have an opportunity to tilt the balance of power in the direction across all 80 minutes of play in what was a thrilling battle to the finish, Thursday night. For host Houghton Academy, they were given two big chances to turn the heat up on visiting Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg going down the homestretch in the second half, erasing a 3-0 lead at halftime.
But for the visitors, a last second goal wound up being the team’s difference maker at the end of the night, as Brody Vance’s two-goal night was enough for Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg to hold on for dear life with a 3-2 road win over the Panthers.
“The boys really wanted this win. We got to the field a little later, and we didn’t get a chance to really warm up. We struggled to find out pace, but once we were able to settle in, Colton (Calladine) had a free kick to help us put it away in the first half,” AWJT coach Cody Borden said. “Brody Vance put us up even more at halftime. We gave up two goals late in the game, but we buckled down to secure the win. Jeff (Prentice) is a great coach and his team showed up to play. This was a great game to be a part of.”
Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg (3-2) assumed full control of the first quarter for much of its entirety, as they built a 3-0 lead on Houghton Academy, with the first marker coming with 27:40 left to go, as Colton Calladine lofted a direct kick straight in on the Panthers goal and in behind Marco Zanini to break it open.
More damage was applied with two more goals in the last 10 minutes — both from Brody Vance, with the first coming on a perfectly-positioned ball in front of the Houghton Academy (1-4-1) net, where he was able to race and crash towards the net for the score. Vance followed up with his second marker of the game in the waning seconds to branch the Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg lead to three at halftime.
Despite falling behind the eight ball to the visitors, the hosts in blue and white were able to work their way back to within range, as Javier Velasco recorded both Panthers goals in just over three minutes at the 14:21 and 11:40 marks of the second half to trim the deficit from three to just one, as they began to apply pressure on Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg down the stretch.
But in the end, the visitors were able to hang on for dear life to keep their lead intact for victory.
Both teams recorded 18 shots on goal apiece, with Derek Perkins setting aside 16 of them to record the win for Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg. On the other end, Marco Zanini made 15 saves for the Panthers, who now host Cuba-Rushford on Monday at 5 p.m.
Andover/Whitesville-Jasper-Troupsburg will now prepare to host Friendship/Scio in Andover, Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.
