Advantage Federal Credit Union Regional Qualifier Preview: Byron-Bergen and Williamson face off for spot in Class C state quarterfinals

Section V Girls’ Soccer determines a representative in the state tournament on Tuesday, November 5, 6:30 P.M. at Caledonia-Mumford as Byron-Bergen and Williamson meet for a spot in the Class C state quarterfinals.

C1 No. 1 seed WILLIAMSON MARAUDERS (16-3-1Wayne County)
vs.
C2 No. 2 seed BYRON-BERGEN BEES (18-1-1/GENESEE 1)

How they arrived here: Entering the C1 tournament as the top seed, the Williamson Marauders come to the championship game after three straight shutouts, defeating No. 16 Pembroke (7-0) to start the postseason before beating both No. 8 East Rochester and No. 5 Holley 1-0 in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, before advancing on PKs after sharing the sectional title with No. 2 Geneseo on penalty kicks. Byron-Bergen began the Section V tournament by beating No. 15 Red Jacket (10-0) then No. 7 Gananda (3-0) and No. 3 Genesee Valley-Belfast (6-1) in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively before beating Kendall 1-0 in the C2 title game.

Total goals scored: Williamson (68), Byron-Bergen (105)

Total goals allowed: Williamson (6), Byron-Bergen (6)

Trends: Williamson is unbeaten in eight straight. Byron-Bergen enters the regional qualifier on a five-game win streak, having beaten Aquinas in its regular season finale before winning four in postseason play.

Players to watch for Williamson: Lauren Schmeelk Jr. F (25 goals, 17 assists); Madyson Storey Jr. F (18 goals, 7 assists); Elizabeth Karasinski Fr. M (6 goals, 5 assists); Kendall Fernaays Sr. M (3 goals, 8 assists); Natalie Schmeelk Jr. M (7 goals, 4 assists); Halle Verbridge Jr. M (2 goals, 6 assists); Katherine Kuhl Jr. GK (113 saves, 6 goals allowed in 1635 minutes, one assist)

Byron-Bergen: Mia Gray Jr. M (35 goals, 24 assists); Janessa Amesbury Sr. F (18 goals, 7 assists); Grace DiQuattro Jr. F (16 goals, 23 assists); Elizabeth Starowitz Jr. M (15 goals, 10 assists); Riley Shallenberger So. M (3 goals, 10 assists); Natalie Prinzi Sr. GK (84 saves and 4 goals allowed in 1600 minutes)

Coaches: Sarah Klejment (Williamson), Wayne Hill (Byron-Bergen)

History 101: Williamson won its eighth title and first since sharing the C1 crown with Warsaw in 2019. The Marauders are looking for their first trip to the Far West Regional since 2009, when they lost to Frewsburg. Byron-Bergen has won eight sectional titles and would clinch its third regional appearance in the last four years with a win on Tuesday.

What’s next: The winner faces Section VI champion Frewsburg on Saturday, November 9 in the Far West Regional at Williamsville East High School. An 11 a.m. kickoff is scheduled.