One squad is making its first regional appearance since 2013. The other is making its first since the programs merged. Hornell and Falconer/Cassadaga Valley will match up in the Class B Far West Regional on Saturday. Here’s the breakdown:
HORNELL RED RAIDERS (16-1-1 / Livingston I)
vs.
FALCONER/CASSADAGA VALLEY/MAPLE GROVE GOLDEN COUGARS (17-3-0 / CCAA I)
How they arrived here: As the top seed, Hornell (No. 6 NYSSWA Class B) only had to win two games to reach the finals: a quarterfinals match-up with Dansville (4-1) and a semifinals face-off with Le Roy (4-1). Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove (No. 9 NYSSWA Class B) defeated Pine Valley/Gowanda (10-0), East Aurora (3-1), Royalton-Hartland (1-0) and Allegany-Limestone (2-1) to win the Section VI Class B trophy.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Total goals scored: Hornell (79), Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove (71)
Total goals allowed: Hornell (9), Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove (15)
Trends: Hornell is on a 10-game win streak, having gone undefeated since a 2-1 loss to Livonia on Sept. 28. Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove has won eight in a row and has posted five clean sheets during that span.
Players to watch for Hornell: Parker Graham Jr. (17 goals, 8 assists); Raegan Evingham So. (11 goals, 14 assists); Ella White So. (15 goals, 5 assists); Brynna Wilkinson 7th (14 goals, 5 assists); Selena Maldonado Jr. (2 goals, 6 assists); Lillian Hoyt Sr. (2 goals, 5 assists); Chloe Harwood Sr. (4 goals)
Falconer/Cassadaga Valley: Kylie Kress So. (24 G, 12 A); Julianna Roth So. (19 G, nine A); Mary Lundmark Jr. (10 G, four A); Alex Caldwell Sr. (four G, eight A); Sydnee Snow Fr. (three G, seven A); Ellyson Baglia So. (15 goals against, 89 saves).
Coaches: Mike Wilkinson (Hornell), Brett Johnson (Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove)
History 101: Hornell enters the Far West Regional for the first time since 2013. That year, the Red Raiders defeated Akron , but fell in the NYS Class B Semifinal to eventual state champion Oneonta (IV). Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove is making its first regional appearance since the three programs merged. Maple Grove was the most recent program to win a sectional title in 2018, but fell in the Far West Regional to Wheatland-Chili 3-2.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class B Semifinal against the winner of Babylon (II) and the Section VII Champion.
Kickoff is slated for 7:45 p.m. on Friday at Williamsville North High School.
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