By: ROBERT CRANDALL
Olean Star
The Portville Panthers traveled to Randolph in a battle of the unbeatens in Tuesday’s girls’ soccer match up. In a game that started on a windy night that featured a downpour just before half, the Panthers put on a dominating performance. Although the game was scoreless until ½ way through the first half, Portville’s relentless pressure barely allowed the Raiders bast mid field. There were not many shots taken in that first 20 minutes but Portville’s ball control kept the pressure on Randolph’s defense. Finally with exactly 20 minutes to go in the half, Portville freshmen Alley Bray netting the first goal. Less than three minutes later, senior Matilde Brotto scored what would prove to be the game winner. Randolph did bring it close when, just as the torrential rain began to fall, they took advantage of an overly aggressive defensive miscue that resulted in an easy score making it 2-1 Portville at the half.
Portville had the wind at their backs for the second half and never let up their offensive pressure. Their crisp passing and aggressive attack put the game away with two goals within 20 seconds just over 5 minutes into the second. Sophomore Grace Gariepy scored the first on a header from a corner kick, immediately followed by Ava Edwards from the right side to finish the scoring. Ashley Carls had a strong game as well picking up two assists. Brenda Morales continued her excellent play in goal stopping 4 of the 5 shots she faced. Portville will next host the Ellicottville Eagles as the two only remaining undefeated teams left in league play face off on Thursday.
Ellicottville squeaks by Cattaraugus/Little Valley
In a game, that based on past records, shouldn’t have been as close as it was, the Ellicottville Eagles needed double overtime to get past a very tenacious Timberwolves team. Addie John opened the scoring for Ellicottville within the first few minutes and that’s all the Eagles could muster until with just 3 seconds remaining in the second OT period Ady Andrews scored the game winner. Rebekah Butcher scored the Timberwolves tying goal in the second and Kierra Knobloch had an excellent game in goal for Catt/LV turning away 17 of the 19 shots she faced.
Salamanca over Pine Valley/Gowanda
Three Salamanca warriors had two goals apiece as the Warriors evened their league record at 3-3. Weezy Brown, Leilene McComber, and Maddie Lafferty each had two goals, and Bella Molks added the 7th.
Allegany Limestone shut down Olean 8-0 with a host of Gators getting points. Madison Honeck had 2 goals and an assist, Liza Giardini had a goal and 5 assists, Cait Kellogg added two goals, Kennedy Honeck had a goal and an assist, Addie Fisher and Abby Peck added goals and Mackenzie Rhodes and Brogann Howard each had assists. Allegany remains unbeaten and untied in their 8 games so far this season.
