Reigning sectional champions Keshequa and Byron-Bergen will meet Friday for the 2023 Section V Class C2 championship. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 3 KESHEQUA INDIANS (17-2-0/Livingston County Division III)
vs.
No. 4 BYRON-BERGEN BEES (16-3-0/Genesee Region Division II)
How they arrived here: Keshequa started sectionals with a 7-0 win over No. 14 seed Honeoye. The Indians then defeated No. 6 seed Geneseo (2-0) and No. 7 seed Wheatland-Chili (3-2 in double overtime) to clinch a spot in the finals. Byron-Bergen opened with a 9-0 victory over No. 13 seed Bolivar-Richburg. The Bees then defeated No. 5 seed Dundee/Bradford (9-0) and top-seeded Gananda (4-1).
Total goals scored: Keshequa (99), Byron-Bergen (113)
Total goals allowed: Keshequa (9), Byron-Bergen (16)
Trends: Keshequa has won nine consecutive games. Byron-Bergen has won five straight matches.
Players to Watch for Keshequa: Libby Benner Sr. 17 goals, 10 assists; Payton Bugman Sr. Five goals, two assists; Alivia Cartwright So. 12 assists, four goals; Kelsey Davis Sr. 14 assists, eight goals; Isabella Hugi Jr. GK 60 saves, 1,214 minutes in goal; Braelyn Isaman Fr. 25 goals, 11 assists; Julia Rautenstrauch Sr. Five assists, four goals; Madeline Strain Jr. Seven goals, two assists; Ava Thayer Jr. 24 goals, 20 assists.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM CAROLE VOLPE.
Byron-Bergen: Grace DiQuattro So. F 14 goals, 12 assists; Mia Gray So. MF 31 goals, 27 assists; MacKenzie Hagen Sr. F 25 goals, nine assists; Novalee Pocock Sr. GK 74 saves, 705 minutes in goal; Victoria Rogoyski Sr. MF Six goals, five assists; Riley Shallenberger Fr. MF Five assists, three goals; Elizabeth Starowitz So. MF 13 assists, nine goals; Emma Starowitz Sr. F 20 goals, 10 assists.
Coaches: Pat Forrester (Keshequa), Wayne Hill (Byron-Bergen)
History 101: Keshequa, who won the Class D1 sectional title last season, is seeking its eighth block in program history. The Indians have won five of their seven championships in the past 12 years, including four straight between 2011 and 2014. In 2012, Keshequa won the Class C sectional title and advanced to the state final before falling to Hoosick Falls (II). Byron-Bergen is seeking to three-peat in Class C2 and win its seventh title in program history. In 2021, the Bees won the championship as the No. 2 seed and reigned supreme last season as the top seed.
What’s next: The winner will face the Class C1 champion (Holley or Williamson) in the New York State Class C Far West Regional qualifier.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Gates-Chili High School.
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