One squad looks for its second regional championship in six years while the other vies for back-to-back titles. Section V champion Penfield will take on Section VI champion Lancaster for a spot in the New York State Girls’ Soccer final four. Here’s the breakdown:
Section V Class AAA Champion
PENFIELD PATRIOTS
(7-4-5, Monroe County Division I)
vs.
Section VI Class AAA Champion
LANCASTER LEGENDS
(9-7-2, Erie County Interscholastic Conference I)
How they arrived here: Penfield (No. 13 NYSSWA Class AAA) began sectional play as the No.1 seed, shutting out No. 4 RCSD United 9-0 in the semifinals. The Patriots tied neighboring rival No. 2 Fairport 1-1 in the final, advancing 11-10 off penalty kicks to book their ticket in the state bracket. Lancaster (No. 17 NYSSWA Class AAA) defeated No. 4 Niagara Falls 4-0 in its Class AAA qualifier. The Legends then bested No. 3 West Seneca to claim a fourth straight sectional title and a spot in the state playoffs.
Total goals scored: Penfield (29), Lancaster (43)
Total goals against: Penfield (9), Lancaster (36)
Trends: Penfield enters the quarterfinal at an even 1-1-1 across its last three games, outscoring opponents 10-3 in that span with a shutout. The Patriots went on an early-season four-game winning streak in 10 days from September 8th-10th, outscoring opponents 10-2 during that stretch with three shutouts. Penfield has scored three or more goals on four occasions this season, averaging 1.9 goals per game. The 9-0 win over RCSD United in the finals serves as the Patriots’ highest-scoring game. Penfield has scored five shutouts this season and has not allowed more than two goals this year, averaging .5 goals allowed per game. Lancaster steps into the quarterfinal off back-to-back 4-goal shutouts. The Legends have scored three or more goals on nine different occasions, and tallied six shutouts. Lancaster’s highest-scoring game comes from a 5-0 victory against Williamsville North on September 22nd.
Players to watch for Penfield: Olivia Wittman Sr. M (4 G, 3 A); Hannah Dimperio Sr. M (4 G); Allie Walsh So. M (3 G, 2 A); Lily Ramsperger Jr. M (4 G, 1 A); Gianna Ciavarri Sr. M (2 G); Celina Ballou Sr. D; Addison Campe Jr. D; Ana Ferraro Jr. D/MD (1 A); Genevieve Hammond Sr. D (Defensive line that contributed 8 GAA); Cece Crane Sr. GK (94 saves, 8 goals against, 0.642 GAA, 92.1 save percentage, 1 SO).
Players to watch for Lancaster: Reese Booker So. F (18 G, 14 A); Laila Sengbusch Jr. M (7 G, 13 A); Kylie Silverstri Sr. F (7 G, 3 A); Quinn Longo Jr. M (4 G, 5 A); Harper Roach Jr. CM (3 G, 4 A); Gracie Swader Jr. F (2 G, 1 A); Isabella Smith Sr. M (1 G); Jenna Burnham Fr. M/D (1 G); Gianna Migliaccio So. F (1 A); Marissa Kremblas Sr. D
Coaches: Kevin Stewart (Penfield), Brianna Sorrentino (Lancaster)
History 101: Penfield is looking to win its second regional game of the decade and fourth overall. The Patriots took a 1-0 decision over Lancaster in 2021. The Patriots also beat Clarence (2-0) in 2009 and Williamsville North in 1989. Lancaster will try to make it back-to-back wins in regionals after topping Fairport (3-0) a year ago. This is the Legends fifth regional appearance this decade.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYSPHSAA Class AAA semifinals against the winner of Section III champion Cicero-North Syracuse and Section II champion Shenendehowa.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, November 7th at 1:30 p.m. at Williamsville East High School.
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