Skip to main content

soccer

Batavia remains undefeated in Girls Soccer with 5-0 win over Livonia

By Howard B. Owens

Behind a hat trick by Ella Shamp, the Batavia Blue Devils won their 13th game of the season in Girls Soccer, beating Livonia on Monday 5-0.

Lilly Mileham and Ady O'Donnell (assisted by Ava Darling) scored Batavia's other two goals.

Shamp's goals were assisted by Kylee Brennan and Anna Varland (twice).

Coach Roger Hume said, "Junior Goalie Ava Higgins had another strong night in net after coming off a fantastic effort against Le Roy on Saturday night.  Ava’s five GA accomplished so far this season is the lowest I have seen in my 15 years as BHS Varsity Girls Soccer Coach.  This team continues to surprise me. The team's day off of school seemed to show up in a very lackluster warmup, but after 20 minutes of even play the team really started to control play by tying multiple passes together.  Our pressure on the ball and our switching of the fields allowed us to take advantage of the space behind the back line. 

Batavia is 13-0-1 on the season and plays Greece Olympia next.

Batavia girls beat Le Roy in nightcap of Soccer Saturday at Van Detta

By Howard B. Owens
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.

The Batavia Blue Devils and Le Roy Oatkan Knights capped Soccer Saturday with a Girls Soccer game that ended with a 3-2 OT win for Batavia.

The boys lost their OT game to Wilson/Early College 3-2.

"It was a wonderful night for our boys and girls senior soccer players," said Roger Hume, head coach for Batavia. "Le Roy didn’t make it an easy win."

In the nightcap, Batavia started the scoring early in the first half with a breakaway run and finish by Ella Shamp, with an assist from Jaimin MacDonals.  

Le Roy scored the next two goals, leaving it senior Ella Radley to tie up the game with two minutes left.  

Batavia came out strong in OT, and senior Anna Varland finished the game with a goal five minutes into the first OT.  

"Batavia did a fantastic job coming back from two goals to one to make this its 12th win of the season," Hume said.  

The Blue Devils remain undefeated.

The Batavian did not receive scoring stats from Le Roy.  Le Roy is  9-4-1 on the year.

The girls' next game is Monday away at Livonia.

In the boys' game, goals were scored by Quintin Cummings, assisted by Troy Hawley, and Troy Hawley, assisted by Rylan Bohn.

 Batavia’s record is now 8 wins and 5 losses on the season.

To view more photos or purchase prints, click here.

batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.
batavia le roy girls soccer
Photo by Howard Owens.

Blue Devils beat Eastridge 2-0 in Boys Soccer

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils improved to 8-4 with a 2-0 win over Eastridge on Friday in Boys Soccer.

Head Coach Graham Halpin said it was a physical and spirited performance by Batavia.

Quintin Cummings, assisted by Owen Halpin, scored a first-half goal. The second goal for Batavia came in the second half when Ryan Bohn scored with a header off a corner kick by Finn Halpin.

Halpin highlighted The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, Trey Tryon, and Darius Wahl, as well as goalkeeper Ben Stone for the shutout of Eastridge.

Batavia soccer teams hosting Soccer Saturday at Van Detta

By Staff Writer
girls soccer batavia

Batavia High School's soccer program is hosting Super Soccer Saturday at Van Detta Stadium from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

Game schedule:

  • 11 a.m. - JV Boys game
  • 1 p.m. - JV Girls game
  • 3 p.m. – Alumni game
  • 4:15 p.m.– Varsity Boys Senior Recognition
  • 5 p.m.– Varsity Boys game
  • 6:30 p.m. – Varsity Girls Senior Recognition
  • 7 p.m. – Varsity Girls game

The boys varsity team plays Wilson/Early College.  The girls varsity team plays Le Roy.

Concessions will be open throughout the day.  

 Submitted photos.

batavia boys soccer

Batavia beats Attica in boys soccer 2-1

By Howard B. Owens

The Batavia boys soccer team picked up its sixth win of the season, against four losses, by beating Attica 2-1 on Saturday.

"It was a contentious game in which Attica gained a 1-0 lead early on before Troy Hawley eventually equalized on an assist by Owen Halpin," said Head Coach Graham Halpin. 

Hunter Mileham's game-winning goal in the second half was assisted by Owen Halpin..

The defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone were instrumental in containing Attica's offense, along with notable contributions from Noah Whitcombe, Finn Halpin, Patrick Suozzi, and Eli Michalak, said Coach Halpin.

Batavia boys soccer beats Geneva 3-1

By Howard B. Owens

The Blue Devils boys soccer team improved to 5-4 on the season with a 3-1 win over Geneva on Thursday. 

Head coach  Graham Halpin described the game as "a technical and creative performance by Batavia."

Owen Halpin scored two goals, assisted by Finn Halpin and Andrew Childs. Gavynn, assisted by Owen Halpin, also scored.

The defensive line of Trevor Tryon, Will Fulton, Brandon Currier, and Trey Tryon helped to limit Geneva to one goal, Coach Halpin said.

Friends rally, set up fundraiser for Scottish teammate after accident

By Joanne Beck
Ethan Walker soccer
Ethan Walker of Aberdeen, Scotland, a student athlete at Genesee Community College, was in an automobile accident on Sept. 12 and is at Erie County Medical Center while his teammates rally for his recovery and help to raise funds to offset his medical expenses. 
Submitted photo

Ethan Walker, 17, was hardly a shrinking violet on or off the soccer field, standing six-foot-one, playing center back, and demonstrating talent and grit that made him a top recruit and fast friend from Scotland, Ben Bacon says.

“He was an absolute monster on the field. He was built like a rhino,” Bacon said to The Batavian of his teammate and fellow freshman at Genesee Community College. “His determination on the field was just outstanding. He’s just a beast. He’s one of those people who you will never ever, ever see him in a bad mood, and he’ll always have a smile on his face.”

It is perhaps Ethan who needs — and is getting — smiles, kind words and both moral and financial support in his great time of need after a major accident on Sept. 12. 

He was walking back to his dorm from an off-campus residence that night and was hit by a Toyota RAV4. Two of his teammates called for police and medical assistance, and he was transported by ambulance and then flown by Mercy EMS to Erie Community Medical Center and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, “where they fought to keep him alive,” Bacon said in an online post. 

“The medical staff said he was suffering from a shattered right scapula, dislocated right knee, tearing of all the ligaments in his right knee, multiple fractures in the right side of his face, skull fractures, as well as swelling and bleeding in the brain,” his post states. “Ethan’s mother was notified, and she was able to book a flight and get here from Scotland only a day later. You can only imagine what she was going through as her son was fighting for his life, and she was across the world from him.”

Bacon created that post as part of a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist his friend’s family with the medical expenses to come from Ethan’s care and treatment. Since he was here as an international student, he did what most students do and chose the cheapest insurance plan because no one expects something like this to happen, Bacon said. 

When the accident first occurred in the wee hours of the morning, only a small portion of students knew about it, and then as more people learned about it, they went from being shocked and distraught to “everyone wanted to help,” he said. “It brought the entire school community together.”

“It felt like one big family,” he said, that included students, staff, administrators, and family members. That big lug “built like a tree trunk” who would lift everyone up and “always bring the positivity” level up anywhere he went has now been getting it twofold from friends and strangers alike.

The fundraiser has gotten donations from 820 folks so far, many of whom are including prayers, thoughts and well wishes for a speedy recovery and to stay strong. A goal of $50,000 has been more than half met so far, with a total of $27,342, and Bacon wants to see it keep rising to alleviate at least one worry for the Walker family. 

Ethan’s girlfriend and dad also flew here shortly after the accident and have been staying nearby as he gradually begins to heal enough to return back home to Aberdeen, Scotland. 

International students are commonplace to the GCC soccer program, Bacon said, which has been very successful — it’s #2 in the nation as a D-3 sport — and has more frequently been recruiting overseas for players. There are only four American students out of a roster of 28 players, he said. The soccer coach is from Ireland, and the team captain is from Scotland. 

Ethan lived one floor above Bacon, and they’d meet in Bacon’s room, which was in the middle for everybody as a common room to hang out. “So he's in our room quite frequently, and he's one of the ones that I grew closer with,” Bacon said. 

What’s not to like? Ethan was a super hard worker and “a pretty standout guy,” he said. He traveled alone from his homeland to pursue his dreams of obtaining a good education while playing professional soccer, or “futbol,” as he’d say.

“He was constantly in the gym and doing everything he could to improve and be better,” Bacon said. “He’s a very intimidating person, but one of the happiest and nicest, friendliest people I've ever met, one of those kids that kind of just lifts everyone up and, like, makes the total aura and vibe around him kind of happier and better to be in. 

“He really just is always bringing positivity wherever he is, whether it's in the classroom, on the field, and just a conversation that he's having with a couple of the guys, wherever it is, it’s always boosting and making it a more respectable and positive environment,” he said.

He and his teammates have been visiting the patient as often as possible, and he was recently moved out of the ICU, a good sign of Ethan-like progress.

“He keeps improving every day,” Bacon said. “Everything seems positive.” 

While there have, of course, been negatives given such a tragic accident, Bacon has also gleaned the positives from so many people rallying together to support their fellow student and his family, he said. 

“We’re more than thankful and extraordinarily grateful for the school and community,” he said. “That would be lovely to reach (the goal), and we will keep raising it as much as we can. Once the donations are done, all will be transferred into his accounts to pay the bills.

“This tragedy was extremely unexpected, and on behalf of me and my family and Ethan’s close friends, teammates, coaches, and administrators, we wanted to set up this GoFundMe to help and assist Ethan and his family through this long, difficult, and painful process of recovery and healing, and getting Ethan back out on the pitch as soon as possible,” his online post states. “Ethan’s family and our college have been involved with me starting this fundraiser on his behalf from the beginning. Ethan is my friend and teammate here at Genesee Community College, and Ethan’s parents are here with us in the USA now while Ethan is in the ICU. Ethan will be the direct beneficiary of 100 percent of these funds, and his parents will personally ensure these funds will be deposited into Ethan’s account. We post this to remain in compliance with GoFundMe and to ensure there is trust between us and those of you who have been so generous!”

Go HERE for more information or to donate.

Submitted photos.

Ethan Walker in dress
Ethan Walker with players
Ethan Walker smiling at home
Ethan Walker #29

Batavia boys soccer team picks up third win over Attica, 3-0

By Staff Writer

The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team beat Attica 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. 

An all-around strong performance by Batavia was highlighted with goals by Rylan Bohn, assisted by Finn Halpin, and a penalty kick converted by Hunter Mileham, as well as an own goal by Attica. 

The relentless defensive line and goalkeeper Ben Stone all contributed to the shutout. 

Batavia’s record improved to 3 wins and one loss on the season.

Blue Devils soccer opens season with back-to-back wins

By Staff Writer
boys soccer team batavia high school

Submitted information and photo.

The Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer team won its second game of the season on Tuesday evening against Greece Odyssey, 6-3.  

It was an outstanding effort by all players in a contentious game, said Head Coach Graham Halpin.

Rylan Bohn (#9) had four goals, and Owen Halpin (#11) had two goals and oneassist. Finn Halpin (#2) recorded two assists. There were also assists by Patrick Suozzi (#5), Will Fulton (#24), and Devin Hughes (#20). 

Ben Stone (#19) made many excellent saves in goal while the defensive line worked tirelessly to contain Odyssey's attack. 

Pembroke girls soccer team wins season opener over Perry 3-1

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Pembroke Girls varsity pulled out a 3-1 win last night in their first home game against Perry. 

Three minutes into the first half, freshman Ashlyn Robinson scored the first goal of the game, she was assisted by Seneca Calderón. 

The remaining two goals for the win were scored by junior and captain Seneca Calderón. She was assisted both times by sophomore midfielder Peyton Liss. Notable defensive plays were made by goalkeeper Madelyn Groves, and center backs Kayla Weyrauch and Mykenzie Dylag.

Byron-Bergen's first defeat in girls soccer comes in state semifinal

By Howard B. Owens

copy_of_dsc0017.jpg

The Byron-Bergen Bees went into Saturday's state championship semifinals in girls soccer with a track record of dominating opponents to the point of a more than 125-point differential on the season.

But they ran into a Sauquoit Valley team ready to play defense, rarely giving clear space to Mia Gray and Mackenzie Haegen, who each scored more than 40 points this season.

With 10 minutes left in the game, the Indians' Addison Lazarek scored her team's second goal, which held up to give Sauquoit Valley a 2-1 win in a game played at Cortland High School.

The Indians also struck first in the first half on a goal by Olivia Kalil.

A few minutes later, Emma Starowitz scored Byron-Bergen's only goal.

Sauquoit entered the game with two losses, while the Bees were undefeated.

For more on the game, visit UticaOD.com.

Photos by Kevin Smith/Cortland Voice

copy_of_dsc0018.jpg

copy_of_dsc0020.jpg

copy_of_dsc0021.jpg

copy_of_dsc0023.jpg

copy_of_dsc0025.jpg

copy_of_dsc0029.jpg

GCC routes quarterfinal opponent 5-0 in NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship

By Press Release

img_9838.jpg

Press release:

The sixth-seeded Anne Arundel Community College men's soccer team fell to third-seed Genesee Community College, 5-0, in the opening round of the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Wednesday evening.

AACC keeper Edgar Garcia made seven saves in the loss, the first for the Riverhawks since October 6.

Genesee got on the board in the third minute with a penalty kick goal from Unai Cruz Prieto. The goal marked the first penalty kick conceded by the Riverhawks this season.

Spike Pope edged the Cougars ahead in the 11th minute with his eighth goal of the season, deflecting the ball off a diving Garcia.

The Cougars extended the lead to 3-0 in the 19th minute. Marc McCann stumbled as he curled in front of the net but managed to toe the ball back to Cruz Prieto for a one-timer past Garcia.

Cruz Prieto completed the hat trick in the 36th minute with a long loft ball that sailed into the upper 90.

AACC had limited offensive opportunities in the first half. Nehemias Rubio had the two best chances for the Riverhawks, but was whistled offside in the 30th minute and sent the ball just wide in the 42nd minute.

In the 61st minute, Matheus Spina tucked a lofty shot under the crossbar to extend Genesee's lead to 5-0.

The Riverhawks had several solid chances in the second half. In the 54th minute, a shot by Sam Adams from the top of the box was blocked. Raffy Arias sent in a shot off a Juan DeNardo corner in the 71st minute, only to see the shot blocked before getting to the cage.

Connor Pollack had a good look in the 84th minute, but his header went just wide.

The Cougars held a 21-8 advantage in shots, including a 12-2 margin in shots on net. Genesee also led in corners (5-2) and fouls (11-4).

AACC (11-5) will face Raritan Valley (11-4-1) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the consolation round.

Photos by Mason Singer.

img_9481.jpg

img_9571.jpg

img_9632.jpg

img_9749.jpg

img_9766.jpg

img_9775.jpg

img_9816.jpg

Byron-Bergen girls advancing to state tournament in soccer

By Howard B. Owens

Byron-Bergen remains invincible in girls soccer, winning the Far West Regional Championship over Frewsburg today 6-2.

The win sends the Bees to the state semifinals next week.

Goals:

  • Mackenzie Hagen, asisted by Emma Starowitz
  • Emma Starowitz, assisted by Mackenzie Hagen
  • Mackenzie Hagen, assisted by Kendall Phillips
  • Mackenzie Hagen, assisted by Ava Gray
  • Emma Starowitz, assisted by Mackenzie Hagen
  • Mia Gray, assisted by Grace Diquattro.

The Bees are now 22-0 on the season.  The state semifinal is Saturday at Cortland High School at 12:30 p.m.  The Class C state final is the following day in Cortland (location TBD) at 10 a.m.

Byron-Bergen advances to Far West Regionals in girls soccer

By Howard B. Owens

Two undefeated teams but only one winner in the Section V Class C crossover game in Webster on Monday with Byron-Bergen beating Gananda in overtime 3-2.

Mia Gray, with an assist from Elizabeth Starowitz, scored with winning goal at minute 25 in overtime.

During regulation time, Mackenzie Hagen and Emma Starowitz, with an assist from Hagen, scored goals.

Goalie Novalee Pocock blocked 10 shots while giving up two goals for the first time this season.

The Bees are now 21-0 and will play in the Far West Regional Championship for Class C at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Niagara Wheatfield.

Byron-Bergen claim Section V title in Girls Soccer with 18th shutout win of the season

By Howard B. Owens

bbbeessoccer-17.jpg

The 20th win of the season for the Byron-Bergen Girls Soccer team may not have been the team's largest margin of victory but it was still their biggest win.

It gave them the Class C2 title on Section V.

They beat Wheatland-Chili 2-0.

"All the girls played great tonight," Head Coach Wayne Hill said. "We've had a great year, but a huge shout out to Wheatland-Chili. They've given us three fantastic games this year. They are a really, really good team. We earned this one. They put us through our tests. So we're happy to come out on top."

Mia Gray scored the Bees' first goal at 27 minutes in the first half, unassisted.  Gray got the assist on the second goal, a shot by Elizabeth Starowitz at four minutes in the second half.

"I think we'll remember this as an intense game and how much of a relief we had after the two goals," Gray said after the game.

Wheatland-Chili managed only five shots on goal, all saves for goalie Novalee Pocock.  Byron-Bergen took 16 shots. 

The undefeated Bees have outscored opponents this year by 128 points and notched 19 shutouts this season.

"It's been really great and the team has great chemistry," Ava Wagner said. "We have a lot of fun at practice and during games, so it's been great."

Now the Bees face what may be their biggest challenge of the season, the Class C crossover game against Gananda.  

Gananda is also 20-0.

The game will be played at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Webster Schroeder.

Photos by Kristin Smith. To view more photos, click here.

bbbeessoccer13.jpg

bbbeessoccer-2.jpg

bbbeessoccer-37.jpg

bbbeessoccer-66.jpg

bbbeessoccer-52.jpg

bbbeessoccer-56.jpg

bbbeessoccer-88.jpg

Byron-Bergen rolling through opposition on its way to Section V title match in Girls Soccer

By Howard B. Owens

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022.jpg

With a 6-0 Section V semi-final win at Cal-Mum on Tuesday over Warsaw, the Byron Bergen Bees continued the team's Class C2 dominance in Girls Soccer.

The 19-0 Bees have outscored opponents this year by 126 points and notched 17 shutouts.

Scoring Summary against Warsaw (14-4):

  • Mackenzie Hagen (Emma Starowitz)
  • Mia Gray (Elizabeth Starowitz )
  • Emma Starowitz (Mackenzie Hagen)
  • Mia Gray (Emma Starowitz)
  • Grace Capostagno (Ava Gray)
  • Mackenzie Hagen (Emma Starowitz)

Warsaw managed only five shots on goal, all blocked by Novalee Pocock.

The Class C2 championship will pit Byron-Bergen against Wheatland (15-2-2) at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Cal-Mum.

Photos by Howard Owens. Top photo: Mia Gray after a kick that hit the back of the net for the team's second goal of the game.

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-2.jpg

MacKenzie Hagen battles for the ball.

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-3.jpg

Elizabeth Starowitz

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-4.jpg

Elizabeth Starowitz

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-5.jpg

Julia Will

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-6.jpg

MacKenzie Hagen

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-7.jpg

MacKenzie Hagen

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-8.jpg

Mia Gray

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-9.jpg

Elizabeth Starowitz

byronbergengirlssocceroct2022-10.jpg

MacKenzie Hagen

Batavia ends a “hard finish to a fantastic season” vs. Aquinas

By Steve Ognibene

a76y0914.jpg

The Batavia Lady Devils soccer team ended its sectional run Tuesday evening in Brockport against Aquinas in a semi-final matchup with a 3-0 loss. 

Aquinas had 15 shots on goal, Batavia five. 

Julia Petry had 15 saves for Batavia.  Aquinas had 3 corners, with goals scored twice by Emily Silverstein and one by Mya Kotsch.

Batavia finishes the year 11-3-4.

"This team worked for each other and played with their hearts," said Head Coach Roger Hume. "It was a hard finish to a fantastic season.  We congratulate our seniors on a job well done and are looking forward to the future."

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

a76y0909.jpg

a76y0859.jpg

a76y0884.jpg

a76y0889.jpg

a76y0880.jpg

a76y0856.jpg

Batavia boys soccer team wins first-round sectional game

By Howard B. Owens

bataviaboyssocceroct20.jpg

The Batavia Blue Devils boys soccer team won its first-round sectional game in Class B on Tuesday, beating Geneva 2-0.

Batavia came into the game as the #9 seed and Geneva was the #8 seed.

Goals were scored by Alex Bartz, assisted by Owen Halpin, and by Quintin Cummings, unassisted.

Submitted photo.

Next up: #1 seeded Hornell at Hornell on Saturday. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

BHS boys soccer shutout by Greece Olympia, 2-0

By Press Release

Game report from Coach Graham Halpin:

Batavia Boys Varsity Soccer lost a close game to Greece Olympia, 2-0, at VanDetta stadium last night. There was no score in the game until well into the second half when Olympia scored on a lucky breakaway followed soon after with a PK. The Batavia players played hard all game in the rainy conditions and had some good opportunities but were unable to score. 

Pembroke girls knot up at 1-1 against Kendal

By Howard B. Owens

A girls soccer game between Pembroke and Kendall ended in a 1-1 tie on Friday.

Karli Houseknecht scored early in the fourth minute of play. Putting the dragons up 1-0 in the first half. Kendall netted one in the middle of the second quarter scored by Ava Quintern

The Dragons played a great defensive game. Senior goalkeeper Arianna Hale recovered 19 saves. Her defensive line consisting of Ameilia Berghorn, Emma Groff, Izzy Breeden and Molly Chittenden held strong against a fast Kendall offense.

Submitted by Coach April Meier

Authentically Local