It’s a battle between the Finger Lakes West and Livingston County Athletic Association when Section V Girls’ Soccer decides its Class D title. Naples and Keshequa will clash on the field at Dansville High School. A 3 p.m. kickoff is scheduled. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 2 seed NAPLES BIG GREEN MACHINES (17-2-0/Finger Lakes West Region)
vs.
No. 5 seed KESHEQUA WILDCATS (13-5-0/Livingston County Division III)
How they arrived here: No. 2 Naples kicked off its post season with a 6-0 victory over No. 15 Hammondsport. The Big Green then defeated No. 10 Arkport-Canaseraga in the quarterfinals 2-0 and got the win over No. 3 Charles G. Finney 1-0 in the semis. No. 5 Keshequa started the post season with a 7-0 win over No. 12 Andover-Whitesville in the pre quarter finals. The Wildcats went on to defeat No. 4 Northstar Christian Academy 2-0 in the quarters and knocked off No. 1 Fillmore 1-0 in the semifinals.
Total goals scored: Naples (62), Keshequa (83)
Total goals allowed: Naples (9), Keshequa (21)
Trends: No. 2 Naples has won eight straight and the last seven by shutout heading into Friday’s match. The Big Green Machines have outscored opponents 32-3 in that span of games and have not allowed a goal all postseason. Thirteen of the Big Green’s 17 wins came by shutout this season. The last goal they allowed was on Sept. 30th in a win against Bloomfield and they haven’t allowed more than one goal since Sept. 28th in a 2-1 loss to Dansville.
No. 5 Keshequa has won nine in a row with seven coming by shutout as the Wildcats have outscored opponents 45-4 in that stretch. 11 of Keshequa’s 13 wins this season have come by shutout. The last time Keshequa has allowed a score was on Oct. 15th in a 3-2 win against Haverling while the last time they lost was on the road against York/Pavilion, 2-1 on Sept. 30th. It’s the first matchup between the two as Keshequa and Naples did not play each other this season.
Players to watch for Naples: Grayvce Hedbing, Sr. GK (1,091 minutes played, 52 saves, eight goals allowed); Mia Betrus, So. (19 goals, six assists); Abigail Hall, Sr. (15 goals, 13 assists); Sadie Gursslin, Fr. (five goals, nine assists); Sienna Carey, So. (three goals, five assists); Payton Dittman, Fr. (two goals, five assists).
Keshequa: Lilly Rautenstrauch, Jr. (51 saves, 15 allowed); Ava Thayer, Sr. (30 goals, 17 assists); Braelyn Isaman, So. (16 goals, 18 assists); Quinn Powers, Fr. (eight goals, four assists); Rylee Benner, So. (six goals, three assists); Alivia Cartwright, Jr. (four goals, six assists); Bree Benner, Fr. (four goals, five assists); Riley Nageldinger, So. (three goals, seven assists); Lillianna Hugi, So. (three goals, three assists).
Coaches: Frank Gleichauf (Naples) Pat Forrester (Keshequa)
History 101: Naples is in the sectional finals this year after making the switch from Class C2. Last year, the Big Green Machines fell in the quarterfinals 1-0 to Wheatland-Chili. Naples has won three sectional titles in the school’s history and are looking for its first title since 1992. Keshequa is looking for its first Class D title since 2022 after they fell in the Class C2 championship last year in overtime 4-3 to Byron-Bergen. The Wildcats look to a sixth sectional title in program history.
What’s Next: The winner advances to the state quarterfinal to face the Section VI champion – either Ellicottville or North Collins.
A 3 p.m. kickoff is scheduled Saturday at Dansville H.S.
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