B-W girls finish league playoffs on high note

BOLTON LANDING | In a concerted effort on Oct. 17, the Bolton-Warrensburg girls soccer team defeated Whitehall 2-0, confirming their No. 3 ranking in the Adirondack League. In this matchup, the third game in three days for the B-W girls, freshman Olivia Bennett scored both goals unassisted, and the team's defense secured the shutout. "This was an important win for sectional seeding purposes," coach Scott Smith said after the game. Bennett scored her first goal with 13 minutes to go in the first half, Smith said. "On a great hustle play, Olivia tracked down the ball on the left sideline, ran past Whitehall defenders and kicked a perfect shot right over the goalie's head into the net — it was one of the prettiest goals we've had all year," he said. "Then, with three and a half minutes to go in the game, she made a nice shot from 20 yards out, again over the goalie's head." Smith added that Bennett was playing at her best as the regular season concludes, noting that she scored eight goals in the latest four games as of Oct. 17. The team's defense is anchored by sophomore goalie Ella Hens and defenders Caitlin O'Donnell, Halley LaBrecque, and Sophia Fiorentino, all seniors, plus junior Hannah Daken and sophomore Megan Hull. Hens executed five saves, while Whitehall goaltender Khloe Paddock had 10. With the win, B-W's season tally improved to 9-6-1. As of Oct. 18, Section II seedings were to be announced the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 20, and Warrensburg's first Sectional game is likely to be held Friday, Oct. 24. FORT ANN 2, BOLTON-WBG. 1 As in most of the games this season among the top area girls soccer teams, the Adirondack League semifinal matchup between Bolton-Warrensburg and Fort Ann was low-scoring and evenly matched. Fort Ann won the battle 2-1. B-W's Olivia Bennett struck first 7:48 into the game, off a corner kick, booting a loose ball into the net. Fort Ann retaliated as Olivia Winchell also scored off a corner kick, tying the score. B-W's offense kept Fort Ann's goalie Baylee Wright busy, but midway through the first half, the Cardinals' Lillian Trzaskos scored on a strategically aimed kick that sent the ball beyond Ella Hens' reach. Over the following 60 minutes, B-W had several chances as Fort Ann held an edge on ball possession, securing the win. "Although the results are disappointing, I'm pleased with the effort of our team — the kids left all they had out on the field, and I'm definitely proud of them," coach Smith said. BOLTON-WBG. 5, CAMBRIDGE 1 Exhibiting their signature versatile offensive power on Oct. 13, the Bolton-Warrensburg girls soccer team defeated Cambridge 5-1. B-W freshman forward Maelyn Hubert initiated the scoring about 14 minutes into the game, and Cambridge sophomore Natalie Wood followed with a goal to tie the game midway through the first half. Less than a minute later, junior midfielder Maille Kelley scored off an assist by Hubert to give B-W the lead at halftime. In the second half, sophomore Olivia Bennett scored two goals, and Kelley scored again. Over the game, Hubert provided two assists while Kelley and Bennett contributed one each. B-W strikers made many shots on goal, keeping Cambridge goalie Lexi Pederson busy: she recorded 14 saves. Coach Smith said he was pleased with how energized his players were in the second half, as 40 seconds after it started, they scored. He added that the season's results have shown how his athletes have gained experience and skills, and how competitive they've become. "After losing nine seniors on our 2024 team to graduation, there were question marks coming into this season, but our players have answered those questions with their winning record, and four of their six losses were by only one goal."

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B-W girls finish league playoffs on high note

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