The Magic Conch - Section 3 Girls Soccer, October 23

Good thing there aren't any boys games today, because there's enough girls sectional play going on that predictions took me almost 2 hours. Jeez! 24 games, or something like that. Let me know your thoughts!

AA

Central Square @ CNS – Now that we got the scrubs out of the way, time for the cream of the crop to rise in Class AA. It’s been relatively even throughout this campaign, so I’m not expecting any blowouts. This is a 1/8 game though, and I see it going just how a 1/8 game does. Northstars defense way too good, 3-0 C-NS.

RFA @ West Genesee – These two played each other early in the season, and West Genny scored twice in the 2^nd half to win 2-0. The Wildcats have been somewhat up and down, with plain view peaks and valleys, but they should defend home turf in this one by a slight margin. I’ll roll with West Genesee, 2-1.

Auburn @ Liverpool – My gut wants to go with an Auburn upset in this one, but I don’t really have basis behind it. Liverpool won 1-0 early in the season against the Maroons, and they haven’t lost (2 ties) in October. I don’t think they’ll shut Auburn out because Michaela Breeze won’t let that happen twice, meaning this will also be the first time Liverpool’s given up a goal in October… and I’ll say 100 minutes will need to be played, but my brain says Liverpool will win it 3-2.

Fayetteville-Manlius @ Baldwinsville – Baldwinsville’s won this one twice already, most recently being a 2-1 decision 3 weeks ago. I really could see an upset in this one, but I think the home crowd advantage & too much Jade Gentile will do just enough in another 2-1 victory for the Bees.

A

CBA @ Jamesville-Dewitt – Ahh, the Lady Brothers vs. the Red Ewes. J-D has been dominant all year, with basically everyone back and better from last year’s team that pushed Burnt Hills to the bitter end in a state regional game. This is a dangerous quarterfinal as CBA has pushed J-D already – a 3-0 W wasn’t what it seemed, as all 3 goals were scored in a 2^nd OT, but I think the top seed will be just fine. 3-1 this time in favor of the home team.

New Hartford @ Whitesboro – Quarterfinal of the night! The 4/5 matchup pits rivals that see enough of each other as it is. They probably won’t be hitting the Four Seasons or O’Scugnizzo after this one (if I’m Sparty, Giorgio’s or Cavallo’s is a safe enough bet even though it’s not wing night) but I see another ‘too much Mariah Williams’ night in store. Warriors pull away late in a 3-1 win.

Carthage @ Marcellus – Okay. I keep picking against Carthage and they keep proving me wrong. Maybe that will make them like the fact that I’m picking against them again. I said Cassie Birth was a stud, and at least she proved that right of me by dipping into the goal fund and giving Carthage 3 of them a couple days ago. But the combination of Marcellus being at home and Madi Belvito, Bri Sammon, Jada Sergeant, blah blah too many to name… Mustangs 3-1.

East Syracuse Minoa @ Watertown – ES-M knows what it’s like to do well from the 7 seed. They made the finals from there last year and all. Last year, the 2 seed they beat was a CVA squad that hadn’t been tested in the regular season, playing Bs and Cs all year. Watertown on the other hand… they’re used to it. A great gauge of how they have done is by looking at a pair of wins against AAs in sectionals – 3-2 over RFA, 1-0 over Auburn. Olivia Miles (18 goals) has scored more than the team has given up (11). ES-M is always a tough out, but I like the Cyclones to move to the semis in a 4-2 W.

B

South Jefferson @ Lowville – Interesting matchup, seeing that this is the 4^th time it’s happened this year. Lowville is 15-0-1 – the 1 is a tie against this South Jeff squad. Familiarity breeds contempt, so look for a game between teams that just might not like each other too much at this point, but I think Lowville makes it 4 for 4, along with making it their (get this) 14^th shutout of the season. 2-0 Lowville.

Skaneateles @ Cazenovia – Hearts in eyes emoji. This makes me think twice about calling New Hartford/Whitesboro the game of the night. Cazenovia’s 2 for 2 in this matchup this season and ticked after taking a loss to Westhill that they don’t want to call a loss. While the parents are busy arguing about who makes more money and who has the prettier lake in their town, this one will go into OT before Cazenovia makes it 3 for 3 in a 2-1 game.

Solvay @ Clinton – The 11 seed got past Holland Patent in PKs, proving me wrong in their 1^st round matchup. I’ll give Solvay the same analysis though – Delperuto’s a beast and one of the best pure athletes in Section III, Antonacci can score, but it won’t be enough. Clinton beat HP by a combined 12-0 in 2 games this year, and they’ll handle Solvay on home grass, 5-1 final.

APW @ Westhill – News flash: Westhill’s really good. The 1^st round W was a nice one for APW and Kylee Bartlett has been producing quite a bit for them, but they’ll need more to have a shot at the upset. They’ve lost 11-3 combined in their 2 previous meetings this year, and I’ll give the Warriors a 4-1 W to face Clinton just like the boys are.

C

MPH @ Bishop Grimes – The Cobras’ quarterfinal loss last year provided the upset of the tournament. They’ve learned from that. Grimes beat MPH 4-0 in their one meeting this season, and I’m looking at this one to be worse. Kennedy Yearby and the crew will take out last year’s frustration and Jill Firenze will have a clean sheet, 6-0 final.

Little Falls @ Waterville – They played earlier this season and Waterville got the W. Both teams are different now, but I think the Lady Mounties have really changed for the better since. Hannah Gray has provided Waterville with an illustrious varsity career that may have spanned about 24 years, but I think it comes to an end today after a 2-1 Little Falls win.

Cooperstown @ Bishop Ludden – How would I put this… Cooperstown is pulling a Cooperstown. They’re good at this whole mid-season turnaround thing. They started off the season 2-4, but have went 7-3 since, and that includes winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Jordian Siver & Liz Millea have been through the ringer, and they share the scoring load. Though it’s a 5/12 matchup, I can see it going either way and wouldn’t be surprised if the Hawkeyes pull it out. However, I’ll go with the brain and say Danielle Rauch and the Gaelic Knights will live to see another day in a 3-2 W.

Dolgeville @ Beaver River – Sarah George, AKA the Blue Devils offense, has missed the last couple games and I’m not sure if she’s playing. That’s an issue. Any chance of an upset leaves with her not on the field. Beaver River is used to playing deep into sectionals too, so I’m rolling big with the Orange Crush 5-1.

Mt. Markham @ Sauquoit – The Mustangs gave Sauquoit everything they could handle recently in a 1-0 loss. That was actually Sauquoit’s last game, so they’ve had 9 days to reflect on it. Look for the 3 seed to put up a better showing on home turf. Mazza, Stedman and company will take this one 4-0.

Onondaga @ West Canada Valley – Another beautiful one. Onondaga’s made this trip for sectionals before, losing a game at one point that I really thought they should have won. WCV was the 2 or 3 seed back then, and they’re now the home team in the 6/11 game. Onondaga has fallen off after a 5-1-1 start, going 3-5 since then. They also haven’t won a single game against a team .500 or greater. WCV has really turned it up in the back half of the season, and I’ve got them carrying the momentum forward in a 3-1 win.

Fabius-Pompey @ Thousand Islands – This one’s a toss-up. No common opponents, no distinguishing characteristics, both squads are in that 2^nd tier of teams in Class C. No bigtime studs either way – what I think it’ll come down to is that the bus ride is a killer, and Thousand Islands always has a nice advantage at home. 2-1 Vikings.

Watertown IHC @ Tully – IHC is always a tough out, no matter what the seed is. They play As and Bs all year, so Class C is nothing. However, Tully’s pretty good. This will be much closer than what you normally expect of a 2/15 game but Tully hasn’t lost yet. Winning breeds winning, and that’s what they’ll do. They’ll spread the wealth scoring in a 4-2 win.

D

Cincinnatus @ Poland – Cincy always makes things interesting but Poland’s been playing at a ‘name your score’ rate this year, and they’ll have their way again. I’ll name my score… 6-0 Tornadoes.

Sackets Harbor @ Morrisville – Sackets had a huge W over Oriskany to get this far, but the 12 seed has a squad that may be the only one that can compete with Poland in the section. A Morrisville injury has knocked them down a little bit, but they’ll be fine in the quarters. 5-2 in favor of the home team.

Remsen @ Brookfield – I really like this one. Brookfield has been putting in work this year behind the scoring prowess of Abby Reilly. Remsen is a traditional power, and it’s Joleen Marfone’s last crack at another title. She just started off in a huge way yesterday with 5 goals and an assist… Either way here, but I’ll pick a 3-2 upset for Remsen.

Lyme @ Copenhagen – This game has happened a lot already. Copenhagen’s won it a lot. Claire Stackel, Maci Spaulding, Emma Roberts.. too much. 4-0 for the 2 seed!