By PAUL GOTHAM
MACEDON, N.Y. — Aly Cruz netted a pair of goals, and the Gananda defense registered its ninth straight shutout and 12th of the season in a 4-nil win over Marion in Wayne County League soccer, Wednesday night.
With the win, the Blue Panthers finished the regular season unbeaten for a second straight year.
“This team is very good at keeping its focus,” said Gananda head coach Emily Slentz. “We don’t look too far ahead. We go one game at a time. We prep for one game at a time. That’s our mindset going into each game. We’re just thinking about that game.”
Lily Aylett unleashed a left-footed rocket from 20 yards to start the scoring. Less than two minutes later, Cruz found the back of the net with help from Aylett.
27’ Lily Aylett takes advantage of a second ball to get @GHSAthletics1 on the scoreboard. Two minutes later, Ally Cruz makes it 2-nil. pic.twitter.com/BXTbkm60gQ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 11, 2023
“Lily took it down the sideline and made a beautiful cross on the ground,” the junior forward said. “I was just there right in spot, and I got it.”
Cruz connected again in the closing moments of the first half.
“We knew that Marion is a strong defensive team,” Slentz said. “We prepared by working on our attack and looking for a variety of ways to cross the ball, shoot the ball. I think we did that tonight.”
75’ Emerson Paull gives @GHSAthletics1 a 4-nil lead. pic.twitter.com/xdCC9u07VK
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 12, 2023
Last season, Gananda opened with 20 wins and claimed its first sectional title in more than a decade before falling to Byron-Bergen in the New York State Class C Far West Regional Qualifier. This year, the No. 4 team in the state has steamrolled opponents by a combined total of 83-5.
“This group’s been working hard and hard work pays off,” Slentz said.
Emerson Paull accounted for a goal and an assist in the win. Avery Hoffman made two saves.
Gananda finished with a 24-2 advantage in shots on goal in Wednesday’s win.
“In practice yesterday, we did drills based on how Marion would play,” Cruz said. “We just kinda came out and knowing that we wanted it more. We just went out and got it.”
Marion’s Mia Hosbach made 20 saves.
Big rush out of the back from Nicole Cruz. No score early Marion and @GHSAthletics1 pic.twitter.com/mLY15xBQxi
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 11, 2023
Sectionals open next Tuesday. Gananda, the Class C1 champ last season, will participate in a crowded Class C2 which includes reigning champion, Byron-Bergen along with the 2022 Class D1 champs, Keshequa. Both Byron-Bergen and Keshequa went on to claim regional titles. Class C2 has seven teams with double-digit wins including Geneseo (11-3-1) ranked No. 20 in the state.
My girls!!! Great job ladies. ⚽️ 🥅