Genesee Community College's Men's Soccer Team alumni are preparing for an exciting, first-ever alumni soccer match scheduled at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24.

They will play on the new all-weather soccer field at the Batavia Campus.

Organized by Men's Soccer assistant coach Jim Cody, players will be arranged into two teams according to graduating years. Odd-graduating years will play even-graduating years.

During the game, cider and doughnut refreshments will be provided by Genesee's Alumni Office. Tee shirts will also be provided to those participating in the match. Prior to the alumni game, the current Men's Soccer team will play Cayuga Community College at 1 o'clock.

"We hope to make this an annual event," Cody said. "We already have alumni signed up that graduated over 25 years ago! We really want to get young and old players back to campus to celebrate the new field and hopefully in the future expand this event to include the women's teams."

Following the alumni game, players as well as friends, families and spectators are welcomed to a gathering at O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia to celebrate, meet old friends and reminisce.

This event is free, and the general public is invited to participate as spectators. For more information, please contact Jim Cody at 585-343-0055 ext. 6670.

GASA Fall Soccer Camp for boys and girls ages 5-11.  Saturday mornings from 10 am-12 noon at the Bank St Community Soccer Fields.  September 19, 26 & October 3, 10, 17, 24.  Each child will receive a t-shirt and soccer ball.  The cost is $35 per child.  Register online at www.GASABATAVIA.ORG or pick up a form at The Richmond Library or YMCA.  Registration has been extend to September 4! 

The Lancers took first place at the 2009 Gates Tournament July 18-19.

Game one saw the Lancers defeat Oakville (Canada) U19's by the score of 2-0. Emily Starowitz and Kaylie Ewers both scored, off assists by Kasey Welch. Game #2 was a 4-0 win over Niagara Pioneer. Ewers got the team going off an assist from Julia Medwid. Jessie Jaszko then took a Medwid assist and went in on a breakaway and scored. Welch would then score on a PK just minutes later. Julia Medwid finished her great game with a well deserved tally off a Lin Wellspeak assist.

Sunday brought a 1-0 win over Gates Metros-I. Kasey Welch scored on a free kick from 25 yards out in extra time to win the game.

The final saw the ladies defeat the Gates Metros-II by the score of 1-0 as Brooke Mallaber's first half goal, off a Jenna Ferrando assst, was all the ladies needed. Leslie George made 6 saves in the final to post her 4th shutout of the weekend. The Lancers defense of Jenna Ferrando, Audrey Rath, Jenn Lonnen, Jamie Braswell, Mallaber, and Alesha Amend was fantastic all weekend.

Congrats to the team for a great weekend! 

Members: Jessie Jaszko, Kaylie Ewers, Brooke Mallaber, Lin Wellspeak, Brittany Hein, Ali Malinowski, Emily Starowitz, Emilie Rath, Audrey Rath, Alesha Amend, jamie Braswell, Julia Medwid, Kasey Welch, Brittany Luckey,  Jenna Ferrando, Leslie George, and Jenn Lonnen.

The team is coached by Chris Chilano and sponsored by TF Brown's, SJ Starowitz, and Lewis & Lewis, P.C.

The S.C. Genesee Lancers United u19G took first place at the 2009 Greece Cobras FC Tournament July 10-12 in Rochester, NY.

The ladies went 4-0 on the weekend, starting off with a 3-1 win over the Pittsford Mustangs as Jessie Jaszko, Brittany Luckey, and Kaylie Ewers all scored. Game #2 say the ladies defeat the Genesee Lancers Rough Riders 2-1 behind goals from Lindsay wellspeak and Ali Malinowski. Sunday morning the ladies defeated rival Greece Cobras 3-1 as Ewers tallied one and Kasey Welch had two goals.

The Tournament final pitted the Lancers United against Salt City-Syracuse Sensation. Welch's goal with 9 minutes remaining gave the Lancers a 1-0 win and the title. Leslie George made 6 saves for the shutout in goal.

The ladies have now won 9 consecutive u19 tournaments, indoor and outdoor, dating back to last winter, and look to run the streak to ten in the Gates Soccer Tournament July 18-19 in Gates-Chili.

Roster: Lindsay Wellspeak, Emily Starowitz, Emilie Rath, Audrey Rath, Kasey Welch, Jessie Jaszko, Ali Malinowski, Kaylie Ewers, Brooke Mallaber, Jenna Ferrando, Leslie George, Brittany Luckey, Jamie Braswell, Alesha Amend, Julia Medwid, and Jenn Lonnen.

The team is coached by Chris Chilano and sponsored by SJ Starowitz, T.F. Browns, and Lewis and Lewis, PC.

The Batavia Community Soccer Fields open tonight and host their first game which is a Rochester District Soccer League 2nd Division Men's game between Central Western United and the Rochester Rockets.  Central Western United is a team based out of Genesee County that is run by Alex Taille and Chad Flint and features many players from Genesee and Livingston Counties as well as some players from in and around the Monroe County area.

The game is at 6:30 and I would like to welcome anyone interested in seeing some great amateur soccer to stop out and see the game.  Central Western United won the 3rd division last year and was promoted to the 2nd division where we have continued our strong play remaining near the top of the table.  CWU also knocked off Red Stripe of the 1st division in the league cup before falling to Bristol Valley in the 2nd round.

CWU features many local college players on its roster.  I am on my way out to get ready for the game and will post more information about the team later on including a full roster.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the Batavia Community Fields for providing us with a great place to play our home games, especially Ted Hawley who has worked with me to assure that we have a place for our Men's and Women's team to play our home games.

If you come out to the game stop and say hi, I wear number 3 and usually play at either left or right back (defense for you non-soccer people).

Open Soccer tonight @ 6:45.  John Kennedy fields, look around because we might be behind the school again this week.  We play rain or shine, until the sun goes down.  If you have any questions call or text me -585.409.5228- Anyone and everyone welcome, all ages, shapes, sizes, co-ed.  It is recreational, but slightly competitive, but you don't need to be an amazing player to play, we welcome anyone.  Spread the word. We play EVERY Monday night at 6:45 at John Kennedy.  Its a been a great turnout thus far, hope to see you there. 

The team is coached by Chris Chilano and sponsored by TF Brown's, Fenton Farm Produce, SJ Starowitz, and Lewis & Lewis, PC.

The S.C. Genesee Lancers Women's team, which became the first local soccer team to be promoted to the Premier Division in the RDSL (Rochester District Soccer League - which is the oldest league in the U.S.A.) is off to a great start in 2009.

The ladies played a tough 0-0 draw against the Canal City (Wheatland) Courage on Wednesday night. The team had many chances but just could put one away. After gaining the tie in their first game of the season, it didn't get any easier as the Lancers traveled to play the Greece Cobras on Saturday morning. The Cobras are a very good and established Premier team. The Lancers were missing 8 players for the match to boot.

The Cobras would score twice in the first four minutes, but the Lancers hung tough and Lindsay Wellspeak (Alexander/FLCC) would steal a ball from the Cobras defeneder and walk in on a breakaway and score with just 7 minutes left in the half go get the Lancers only down 2-1 at half.

In the second half the Lancers took it to the Cobras, with Wellspeak getting goal #2 off a great assist from Megan Baker (Kendall/St. John Fisher). Just moments later Kasey Welch (Byron-Bergen/Naz), coming of ACL surgery and making her return, would score off a wild scramble in front of the net after a Robin Blaun (Elba/SUNY Brockport) assist. The Cobras would tie the game at 3, but with 12 minutes left, Blaun would send a streaking Jessie Jaszko (Batavia/GCC) in on a breakway to score, sealing the 4-3 win. Caitlin Dilal (Mercy/Robert Morris) would make 9 saves in goal for the win, and the Lancers defense led by Jenna Ferrando (Leroy/Buffalo State) and Audrey Rath (Medina/Alfred State) were great all day.

The ladies are now 1-0-1 in Premier play and next up is the much anticipated Cup game vs. Greece Eclipse, Tuesday, June 2 at Lions Park in Batavia. Come out and support them! The team is sponsored by SJ Starowitz, TF Browns, and Lewis and Lewis, P.C.

 Hello sports fans!  Just a note that we have started our open soccer for the summer, a little earlier than normal, but its okay!  On Monday nights, at John Kennedy there will be open soccer for anyone and everyone.  It is co-ed, all ages welcome.  The participants usually range somewhere between 16 and 60.  Again, its on Monday nights, at John Kennedy at any open field space there, between 6:30 and 7:00.  Playing time runs until it gets too dark to play or people get too tired!  Again, anyone is welcome.  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at ammd1727@yahoo.com or call 585.409.5228.  We play every Monday rain or shine.  Its a good chance for people to meet new sports fans, get a little exercise and just have a chance to kick a ball around without having to commit to a league or a team.  Depending on the number of players, we will break people up into teams so its always new each week!

The SC Genesee Lancers u19 Team took first place at both the 5th Annual Red Creek Indoor Tournament March 21 and the 2nd Annual Amanda Mabon Memorial Tournament in Elba on Sunday, March 22.

At Red Creek, the ladies went 4-0-1 on the day, finishing with a 9-1 crushing of host Red Creek in the final.

On Sunday, at the 2nd Annual Amanda Madon Memorial Tournament, the ladies were dominating all day, going 5-0-1 and defeating the Souther Tier Flash FC in the final 6-1.

Team members for the weekend were Jenna Ferrando, Alesha Amend, Audrey Rath, Jenn Lonnen, Kelsey Fenton, Jessie Jaszko, Brittany Hein, Stacy Hein, Leslie George, Julia Medwid, Emily Starowitz, Lindsay Wellspeak, and Brittany Luckey. The team is coached by Chris Chilano.

Goal Scores were Britt any Luckey with 12. Alesha Amend and Julia Medwid with 5 each. Jessie Jaszko and Lin Wellspeak each tallied 3. Stacy Hein, Kelsey Fenton, and Emily Starowitz with 2 each, and Jenn Lonnen and Jenna Ferrando each with 1. Hein also posted a shutout in her only game in goal, and Leslie George had 4 shutouts in goal going 8-0-2 over the weekend in net.

Alexander played in the Newark Varsity tournament on the Sunday before MLK day and came away with a solid performance.  Alexander started the day with a 2-1 win over Gananda with goals from Anna Dominick and Julia Pettys with Gabby Kwiatek picking up an assist.  Alexander then beat North Rose Wolcott 1-0 on a goal from Dominick.  In the final game of the round robin Alexander fell to Pal-Mac 1-0.  Alexander was the 2nd seed from their group and Pal-Mac was the top seed with a 3-0 record.

In the other bracket Addison cruised to a 3-0 record and the top seed while Newark was 2-1 with their only loss a 3-0 beating from Addison.

Alexander and Addison played in the semi-finals and Addison jumped out to a 1-0 lead.  Dominick tied it at one but Addison took the kickoff and went right down the floor and fired a shot in to go ahead 2-1.  Alexander was unable to come back again and feel 2-1.  Newark then beat Pal-Mac 1-0 in the other semi-final and in the rematch from the earlier in the day Addison won 1-0 in OT.

Alexander's roster was Sopomore keeper Hannah Wilson, Junior defender Jamie Neth, Sophomore defender Savannah VanSon, 8th grade defender Gabby Kwiatek, Sophomore midfielders Autumn Atkinson and Tessa Bigelow, Junior forward Anna Dominick, Sophomore forwards Megan Schmieder and Morgan Mattice, and 9th grade forward Julia Pettys.

Batavia High School has been one of the smallest schools in the Monroe County League for a long time.

It has hindered the chances some programs have had to win.

But those things are about to change as realignment has given Batavia a chance to remain part of a league, yet be competitive in sports it normally struggled to compete in.

"With our school and our size, Monroe County recognized that our school and Greece Odyssey were a little different," Batavia athletic director Mike Bromley said. "You have to give them credit for that because they give us a league affiliation and will allow us to be competitive."

The Blue Devils will be playing in Monroe County League Division III, but will be essentially playing a half-league schedule.

Geography is a big consideration for Monroe County as teams were realigned. Division I and II teams are matched up as much by travel distance as school size. Division III is mostly about size.

Batavia will play each team in Division III once in both boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and volleyball. That means the Blue Devils will get to play seven league games, which is also happening with Odyssey.

While Batavia will no longer be eligible for league championships, it will give teams chances to schedule non-league games with teams that they can compete with.

A prime example is the boys soccer team, which experimented with the schedule least year. Batavia went 7-10, going 7-1 outside of Monroe County and 0-8 in the league.

"We gave up the opportunity to win a league championship because we don't play everybody twice," Bromley said. "But to be able to go out and get schools that are closer to our size and be more competitive makes more sense than trying to win league titles."

Kids will still have  a chance to be recognized as all-county and there will be no changes for track & field or cross country. 

This sets up some potential great local rivalries, especially as Batavia drops down to Class B. Imagine home and home series' with Attica or Albion. Those could be great local rivalries for Batavia.

Once you get past not being able to compete for a league championship, there are still goals for Batavia teams. 

There will also be changes in the modified programs at Batavia, as the drop in numbers will no longer support a seventh and eighth grade team. The two grades will be combined for modified and will play a schedule based on geography.

Here is the new alignment for the Monroe County League:

Division I: Canandaigua, Irondequoit, Fairport, Penfield, Rush-Henrietta, Webster Schroeder, Webster Thomas.

Division II: Brockport, Churchville-Chili, Gates Chili, Greece Arcadia, Greece Athena, Greece Olympia, Hilton, Spencerport.

Division III: Batavia, Brighton, Greece Odyssey, East Irondequoit Eastridge, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Pittsford Mendon, Pittsford Sutherland, Victor.

The Genesee Lancers (Chilano) took hom the Medina U19 tournament title with a 3-1 win over Alexander in the final game.  The Lancers scored seconds into the final to take a 1-0 lead.  Alexander scored a few minutes after that to knot the score at one a piece.  The Lancers would score just before the midway mark to make the score 2-1.  Just after the mdiway mark the Lancers scored a 3rd goal to go ahead 3-1 which was the final score.  It was a very competitive final game with some great soccer to watch.  Both teams moved the ball well and had some great chances on goal.

During the earlier games of the tournament Alexander clinched the top seed with a 3-0 record with a 1-0 win over the Lancers (Hein), a 3-1 win over the YMCA/ND team and a 1-0 win over Gananda.  The Lancers (Chilano) earned the #2 seed with wins over GVBBSC and Attica and a loss to Albion.  Albion was the #3 seed with a win over the Lancers (Chilano), a tie against Attica, and a loss to GVBBSC.  The Lancers (Hein) earned the 4th seed with a loss to Alexander, a tie against Gananda, and a win over the YMCA/ND team.  Gananda had a solid day as well with a tie against the Lancers (Hein), a win over YMCA/ND, and a loss to Alexander.  The Lancers (Hein) earned the 4th seed thanks to a slight tiebreaker advantage over Gananda.

In the 1st round of the playoffs the Lancers (Chilano) avenged their loss to Albion with a 3-0 win in the 1st semi-final game.  Alexander knocked off the Lancers (Hein) 2-0 to earn their spot in the final.

Alexander's roster included sophomores goal keeper Hannah Wilson, sophomore defenders Savannah VanSon, Summer Bliss, and Claire Hartl, sophomore midfielders Tessa Bigelow and Autumn Atkinson, sophomore forwards Kylie Bank, Amber Finan, and Ashley Szymanski, and 8th grade defender Gabby Kwiatek.

Pavilion had the second best record in Livingston Conference and allowed just 17 goals in 1,420 minutes played. Although his team went just 8-8-3, the senior earned first-team all-state honors as a goalie in Class C.

Perry's Lucas Pachuta is a second-team attacker in Class C with 31 goals and 10 helpers. His Yellowjackets went 12-5-2.

Garhett Varin is a first team selection in Class D with 27 goals and 13 assists. Goalie Tony Pipitone is a second team selection as a goalie, giving up just 16 goals in 1,765 minutes in net. The Wildcats won a section straight sectional championship with a 19-4 record.

Le Roy's Brittany Luckey is a fourth-team midfielder in Class B. She had 12 goals and 22 assists this seas as the Oatkan Knights won a sectional championship.

The S.C. Genesee Lancers United Women's team is the first local adult soccer team, men's or women's, to play in the Premier Division of the RDSL (Rochester District Soccer League). They qualified for the premier division by having and overall record of 12-1-5 during the 2008 season in the First Division. The Lancers are comprised of 21 players from the GR and Livingston County region, with many players currently playing college or HS soccer. 

Things start in the back with by GK Caitlin Dilal, a graduate of Mercy HS and currently the starting GK for NCAA D-1 Robert Morris University. On Defense, the ladies are led by NCAA 2-time WNYAC and 3-time Livingston Conference 1st teamer Jenna Ferrando. Joining her in the back are 3 year Lancers captain and 5 year starter Pam Barchet, as well as Audrey Rath (Medina HS/Alfred State), and former Canisius and Batavia HS alumni Jen Eick. Jamie Braswell (RIT/Leroy HS), Val Zarcone (SUNY Oswego/Bergen HS), Alesha Amend (GCC/Alexander HS), and Jenn Lonnen (Albion HS/Alleghany College) round out the defense.

The midfield is led by Robin Blaun, a 4-year member of the SUNY Brockport team and has been Lancers United Captain for 5 years. Joining her is Brittany Luckey, who this past year was Livingston Conference player of the year, as well as Section V Class B Sectional MVP, and made the All-Greater Section V second team. Britt will be joining NCAA Junior College powerhouse Monroe Community College in the fall of 2009. Rounding out the midfield are Captain Megan Baker (St. John Fisher/Kendall HS), Katy Mullen (GCC/Bergen HS), Julia Medwid (SUNY Fredonia/Alexander HS), Emilie Rath (Medina HS), Kelsey Fenton (GCC/Pembroke HS), and Emily Starowitz (FLCC/Bergen HS),

The Lancers attackers are strong with plenty of firepower, led by United's all time leading scorer Kate Welch (Naz/Pavilion HS). Joining her up top are the NCJAA Second Team All-American from 2008 Lindsay Wellspeak (FLCC/Alexander HS), Jessie Jaszko (MCC/Batavia HS), and Kasey Welch (Naz/Bergen HS).

The team will compete with some of the best Women's teams in the State in the RDSL Premier Division, as well as the RDSL Cup, which last year they not only became the first local team to qualify for, but won their quarterfinal game, and in the semi's took the #1 Seed Rochester Lazers to double OT and penalty kicks before bowing out.

The Ladies are coached by Chris Chilano, and sponsored by T.F. Brown's, Fenton's Farm Produce,  and S.J. Starowitz, and play for the S.C. Genesee Lancers club, based in Batavia. You can access all their information, including schedules, at www.geneseelancers.com. The ladies look for all your support in 2009!

Wheatland-Chili senior forward was not only the Genesee Region League Player of the Year, and a sectional champion; he was named to the All-Greater  Rochester first-team by the Democrat & Chronicle.

Varin led W-C to a 19-4 record and a second consecutive sectional championship, while scoring 27 goals with 13 assists. He finished his high school career with 51 goals and 31 assists.

Teammate Tony Pipitone made the second-team as a goalie.

The GR also had a bunch of honorable mention selections.

Steve Abbey (Wheatland-Chili), Dakota Longhini (Byron-Bergen), Jordan Kiessling (B-B), Jason Gaylord (Kendall), Brandon Moore (Kendall), Paul Brightly (Kendall), Andy Hagen (Attica), Brandon Reiner (Attica), Tyler Silversmith (Lyndonville), Joe Ianni (Lyndonville), Jordon O'Connor (Lyndonville), Colton Orbaker (Holley), Eric Spychalski (Holley), Nick Troup (Holley), Brandon Comden (Holley). 

You can see the entire All-Greater Rochester list here.

Wheatland-Chili's Garhett Varin led his squad to an 18-3 record and the Section 5 Class DD championship this past soccer season.

The senior had 25 goals with 11 assists and earned Genesee Region League Player of the Year, which was announced by The Batavian in our GR all-star write-up on Oct. 29.

 The Democrat & Chronicle lists the Players of the Year for each league in Section 5 this morning.

Wheatland-Chili senior attacker Garhett Varin of Wheatland-Chili had 61 points, 25 goals and 11 assists, in leading his team to an 18-3 record to date and the Section V Class DD championship. He had five goals and an assist in the sectionals. Wheatland also beat Andover 2-1 in the State Class D Qualifier Game.

You can see the entire roundup of Players of the Year here.

Senior midfielder Brittany Luckey had a fantastic high school soccer career, and will be ending it with a second big honor.

The five-year starter for Le Roy had already won Livingston Conference Division I Player of the Year and now is named to the All-Greater Rochester second-team by the Democrat & Chronicle today.

Luckey was a three-time captain for the Oatkan Knights, who won the Section 5 Class B title this season. Well, actually shared it with Greece Odyssey after playing to a 0-0 tie. Odyssey moved on to the state tournament after winning a shootout.

Luckey scored 31 goals and had 81 assists in her high school career and led Le Roy to a sectional title three times in five seasons. The Oatkan Knights went 12-2-6 this season. She scored 12 goals with 22 helpers this season.

No other local players made the AGR first or second team, but 17 players received honorable mentions for the Genesee Region League.

Julie Brooks (Holley), Hannah Wilson (Alexander), Abby Shilvock (Alexander), Lindsey Hall (Alexander), Christina West (Attica), Corinne VanSchoick (Holley), Rachel Warren (Pembroke), Rachel Pettys (Alexander), Chloe Smith (Wheatland-Chili), Emily Troup (Holley), Hillary Bates (Oakfield-Alabama), Julie Marshall (Elba), Todne Crowe (Byron-Bergen), Kaila Browe (Kendall), Chelsi Clark (Elba), Stacy Maskell (Byron-Bergen), Nicole Sharick (Pembroke).

Stacy Hein of Batavia received an honorable mention for Monroe County. You can check out the entire All-Greater Rochester girls team here.

 There is that photo again.

The front page of Tuesday's Daily News sports has basically the same photo as the Genesee Region League girls soccer all-stars, just a team photo. I have never been a fan.

But again, Daily News sportswriter Alana Stage writes a stat-packed roundup of the GR boys soccer all-stars. She leads with the Wheatland-Chili squad that went 19-3 and are Class DD champions. 

The Batavian also led with the Wildcats in our roundup of all-stars, which ran on Oct. 29.

The winter high school season is just getting going, so this is the only local information in today's paper.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.

 In Friday's Daily News, the photo and roundup of Genesee Region League girls all-stars are the main focus of the front page of sports.

A nice roundup of the players, featuring the Division I champion Holley Hawks, pretty much fills the page.

The Batavian led with Division II champion Wheatland-Chili in our roundup of all-stars, posted on Oct. 22.

The writeup is packed with information, but features the boring team photo that just about every all-star team roundup has had for, oh, ever. I think most would prefer headshots or action photos from the season.

That's the only local sports because the winter sports teams are still getting ready for the season, but there is a cool AP story on the Syracuse football team on B-4. AP sportswriter John Kekis writes about how little has changed since it was announced coach Greg Robinson was fired and will be replaced at the end of the season.

Any Syracuse football fan will admit that the program was in dire need of a change as Robinson was never able to turn the team into a winner. The Orange are currently 2-8.

We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.