By PAUL GOTHAM
MACEDON, N.Y. — Ally Cruz and Izzy Hoffmann scored a goal apiece to lead No. 7 Gananda past No. 10 Wheatland-Chili, 2-0 in Section V Class C2 Girls’ Soccer action on Tuesday.
Hoffmann set up the Blue Panthers’ first goal when she led Cruz past the Wheatland-Chili backline.
“Izzy played me a beautiful through ball,” Cruz said. “I was 1v1 with the goalie. I juked her out. I shot it and it went right in.”
The lead held until Hoffmann connected in the 70th minute.
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The senior midfielder, who registered her 100th career tally earlier in the season, beat a defender outside the 18-yard box before tucking a left-footed blast under the crossbar.
70’ Class C2: Izzy Hoffmann wins the 1v1 and gets an insurance goal. @GHSAthletics1 2-0 over Wheatland-Chili. pic.twitter.com/oOFhsVAErl
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 22, 2024
“There’s sometimes I don’t feel like taking it in because I don’t know if I have the angle,” Hoffmann said. “That one I kept going to my left, picked my head up and saw that the goal was open. I chipped it over her head.
“When I hit it, I was like that’s probably going in. It tipped right over her hands.”
Gananda improved to 12-5-0 with its fifth win in the past six games.
“It was a good one, definitely a good one,” Cruz said. “It was a little crazy at first, but I’m glad we pulled it out and got the second goal.”
The win sets up a rematch with Byron-Bergen. The two teams have met in the previous two postseasons with the Bees coming away victorious on both occasions. B-B edged Gananda in the 2022 Class C regional qualifier and Gananda’s season ended last year with a loss in the C2 semifinals.
“Hopefully it’s a better outcome,” Hoffmann said. “I want to go in really strong and not think about the other years and think about our game now. Neutralize their key players.”
Avery Hoffmann made 14 saves for her fourth shutout in the past five games and seventh overall this season.
Cruz has 19 goals and five assists on the season. Hoffmann came into the game ranked third in Class C2 scoring. She has 26 goals and 20 assists.
A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled for Friday at Byron-Bergen.
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