By PAUL GOTHAM
GENESEO, N.Y. — The scoreboard at the Geneseo High School turf field flashed a fitting screen graphic reading “Brick Wall.”
Hard to argue with the assertion considering the performance turned in by Caroline Capel the Blue Devil keeper.
Capel put a barrier in front of the net as she registered her second shutout in as many outings leading Geneseo (2-0-0) past Keshequa, 1-nil in Livingston County Athletic Association action, Monday night.
“It was just bouncing my way which was kinda nice,” the senior said. “That was exciting to come out early in the season and show what we got.”
Capel found her rhythm early in the second half as Keshequa pushed forward. Libby Benner served a cross from the right wing that teammate Ava Thayer flicked with a header. She made a sprawling save on the play. Moments later, she denied Braelyn Isaman’s point blank attempt from inside the 18-yard box. Still later, Capel went to the turf and took away Benner’s attempt to level the match.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM CAROLE VOLPE.
Big save from Caroline Capel keeps the Geneseo lead intact. pic.twitter.com/rftz1KnVrr
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 11, 2023
Caroline Capel comes up big again. pic.twitter.com/AbgqBGq4AQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 11, 2023
“This is her third year on varsity, and that was the best I’ve ever seen her play in all three years,” said Geneseo head coach Nick Drollette. “She played really well and didn’t let the big moment rattle her. She had a couple moments where she bobbled the ball where it’s easy to bobble it and give up the goal. She just jumped right back on it, and kept her head up. I’m really, really excited about what she did tonight.”
Another save for Caroline Capel. pic.twitter.com/Go5Z4d1RqS
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 11, 2023
Heather Wright helped preserve the shutout late in the first half. Manning the far post on a corner kick situation, Wright cleared another head ball attempt from Thayer.
Heather Wright stays far post and keeps the Geneseo lead intact. 1-nil Blue Devils over Keshequa. pic.twitter.com/wKpqzCgOZv
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 11, 2023
“We didn’t really execute our game plan that we had coming in, but we were still able to pull out the win,” Drollette said. “That’s always a good feeling when you don’t do the right things but still pull it off.”
A year ago, Keshequa advanced to the New York State Class D semifinals after winning its first sectional title since 2014. They were averaging nearly four goals per outing entering play on Monday.
“They’re kinda back to the Keshequa of old where you look out there and you almost feel like they’re playing with 13 on the field,” Drollette said. “There’s always somebody there. They check to every ball hard. They’ll run through you. They do all those little things and when you look up, you feel like ‘are there really only 11 of them out there?’ They’re always there. They’re never not on a ball. They’re tough.”
Maddie Mark scored the game’s lone goal in the eighth minute. The senior forward one-timed a cross from teammate Madi Ladelpha.
“I saw an open space inside the middle of the 18, and I saw Madi with the ball,” Mark said. “I knew if I was in the correct placing based on where the goalie was, she would pass it to me and I could tap it in. That’s exactly what happened. It was a beautiful ball by Madi.”
The goal was Mark’s first of the season.
“I’ve been wanting that one for a little bit,” she said. “It’s definitely very exciting. It just makes me realize that we have to work even harder for our next games and keep putting more on the net.”
No rest for either team as Geneseo will travel to Mount Morris for a 4:30 PM start on Tuesday. Keshequa plays at Perry. A 6:30 PM kickoff is scheduled for that game.
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