Section V and VI collide as the Keshequa Wildcats from Livingston County Division III take on the Ellicottville Eagles from the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division II. The pair will meet in the New York State Class D Far West Regional this Friday, 5:30 p.m. at Williamsville North High School. Here’s what you need to know:
ELLICOTTVILLE EAGLES (12-4-1/CCAAII)
vs.
KESHEQUA WILDCATS (14-5-0/Livingston County Division III)
How they arrived here: Keshequa (No. 1 NYSSWA) kicked off its sectional run with a 7-0 win over No. 12 Andover-Whitesville then defeated No. 4 Northstar Christian Academy 2-0 in the quarterfinals. The Wildcats then knocked off No. 1 Fillmore 1-0 in the semifinals and won the Class D title with a 1-0 victory over No. 2 Naples. Ellicottville (No. 7 NYSSWA) earned a bye in the semifinals after entering the Section VI Class D postseason as the No. 1 seed. The Eagles went on to defeat No. 2 North Collins in the championship 2-0 to earn a spot in the state quarterfinals.
Total goals scored: Ellicottville (46), Keshequa (84)
Total goals allowed: Ellicottville (17), Keshequa (21)
Trends: Keshequa has won its last 10 games in a row with eight of those victories coming by shutout. The Wildcats have outscored opponents 46-4 in that stretch and have 12 shutouts in total on the season. Keshequa has not allowed a goal all post season and the last time Keshequa has allowed a goal was back on Oct. 15th in a 3-2 victory over Class B finalist, Haverling. The Wildcats haven’t lost a game since Sept. 30th when they fell on the road, 2-1 to York/Pavilion. Ellicottville has won six of its last seven and are back in the win column after ending the regular season with a 2-1 loss to Portville. In this stretch, the Eagles have won five games by shutout and outscored opponents by a combined total of 19-3. Ellicottville has seven shutouts on the season and has not allowed a goal all post season.
Players to watch for Keshequa: Lilly Rautenstrauch, Jr. (51 saves, 15 allowed); Ava Thayer, Sr. (31 goals, 17 assists); Braelyn Isaman, So. (17 goals, 18 assists); Quinn Powers, Fr. (eight goals, five 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); Michaela Bugman, Jr. (two goals, one assist); Elizabeth Wood, Sr. (two goals); Madeline Strain, Sr. (one goal, two assists).
Ellicottville: Courtney Marsh, Sr. (135 saves, 16 allowed); Addison John, Sr. (16 goals, three assists); Drew Ficek, Jr. (12 goals, nine assists); Jayden Doutt, Sr. (seven goals, five assists); Julianna O’Connell, So. (six goals); Ady Andrews, So. (two goals, one assist); Juleana Lyon, Fr. (one goal, one assist); Ainsley Edwards, So. (one goal); Makayla Potter, Jr. (one goal); Ava Fuller, So. (three assists); Bianca Bush, Jr. (three assists); Katie Bless, Sr. (three assists).
COACHES: Pat Forrester (Keshequa), Tammy Eddy (Ellicottville)
History 101: Keshequa is 3-1 in regional appearances since 2011 with wins over Frewsburg (2011), Holland (2012) and most recently over Ellicottville in 2022. Ellicottville is making its eighth state quarterfinal appearance since 2010 with a record of 2-5 the previous seven trips.
The winner between the Wildcats and Eagles look ahead to the state semifinals next when they will take on either Northville (II) or Livingston Manor (IX), next Saturday, November 16th.
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