WHEATLAND, N.Y. — One can look for signs of complacency in the Byron-Bergen Girls’ Soccer Team.
Just don’t expect to find any.
The Bees return the core from a team that advanced to the New York State Class C semi-finals a season ago and early returns indicate they want more.
Three games into the 2022 campaign, Wayne Hill’s Bees have outscored opponents 19-0. The margin of Tuesday’s soggy affair was different than the previous two, but even a casual observer could recognize that Byron-Bergen dictated the bulk of play in the Genesee Region matchup.
“They played a lot more defensively than we were expecting,” Hill said after Byron-Bergen’s 1-nil victory over host Wheatland-Chili. “I would rather play this kind of game than wide open games. One-nothing tests everybody. It tests both teams. It’s more nerve-wracking, but it’s a better game.”
Mia Gray’s goal in the 30th minute was all the offense needed. The ninth-grader ran on to a Mackenzie Hagen pass along the right flank and went far post for her seventh goal of the season.
30’ Mackenzie Hagen leads Mia Gray along the right flank. Gray goes opposite post to start the scoring @BB_GirlsSoccer 1 @WCWgvs 0 pic.twitter.com/rloS9Hy1Of
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 6, 2022
The goal was the second allowed by Wheatland-Chili in three games.
“Wheatland packed a lot in the box today and crowded her out,” Hill explained. “She was still able to get through for one quality shot, and it went in.”
As an eighth-grader, Gray led the 2021 team with 27 goals, and Hill knows what kind of attention the center midfielder can expect throughout the rest of this season.
“She comes into games and she’s young,” the eighth-year coach said. “She’s going to have to learn she’s going to be double-teamed. It’s just a maturation process for her. She’s going to have to shrug it off and go.”
The assist was the fourth of the year for Hagen.
The final score of Tuesday’s contest mirrored that of B-B’s 1-nil win over Frewsburg to claim the 2021 NYS Far West Regional Championship. That win was the seventh straight – a stretch in which the Bees outscored their opponents 24-5.
They eventually fell to Carle Place (IIX), 2-0 in the state semis. Hill’s team hasn’t forgotten the experience.
“They’re very hungry,” he said. “They want to go back. They had a great summer. They had great conditioning. They’re great players, so put that together, and they just want to win.”
Elizabeth Starowitz through ball finds Mackenzie Hagen. pic.twitter.com/aHhaV0QR0u
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 6, 2022
Novalee Pocock made two saves for Tuesday’s shutout but was barely tested.
“Two might be generous,” Hill said of the save total.
Wheatland had its chances. Eighth-grader Vanessa Guererro slipped behind the backline on a pair of occasions, but Byron-Bergen’s defense recovered when it needed.
“That defense is outstanding,” Hill said of group that consists of senior Ava Wagoner along with sophomore Ava Gray and ninth-grader Megan Jarkiewicz. “It’s rock solid. I think we’re good at every spot. Names on a roster don’t win games. You got to show up and play.”
This stop by Keira Nash of @WCWgvs kept the Wildcats within reach. pic.twitter.com/nFUYyiaaVx
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 6, 2022
Byron-Bergen attempted seen corner kicks in the contest without surrendering a set piece with their own 25 yard line.
Byron-Bergen travels to play at Kendall on Friday.
Wheatland-Chili (1-1-1) hosts Lyndonville on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. start.
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