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Photos: Empire Cup at Batavia Sports Park

By Howard B. Owens

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Thousands of people -- high school soccer players, coaches, officials, and parents -- are in Batavia this weekend for the Empire Cup, a soccer showcase that gives high school players from throughout the Northeast a chance to play against other top players and display their skills for college recruiters.  

In the parking lot were license plates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ontario, Canada, and, of course, New York.

Players were at both the Batavia Sports Park on State Street Road and at Genesee Community College.

The event brings an estimated $500,000 into the local economy. The Empire Cup is supposed to go for two weeks, but the boys' event was rained out last weekend.

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First weekend of big soccer showcase washed out

By Howard B. Owens

The 2017 Empire Cup College Showcase is a two-weekend event a big financial boost to the local tourism industry, but a week of rain, some of it heavy at times, has saturated playing fields and forced the cancellation of this weekend's games.

As for next weekend's games, that depends on the weather.

"We've got to hope for a couple of dry days this week," said Kelly Rapone, director of tourism for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

Over two weekends, more than 3,000 soccer players from all over the Northeast were expected to fill up local hotels and eat at local restaurants, but that $1.1 million of expected economic impact has been cut in half.

Everybody, from the hoteliers to the event's hosts to the participants are hugely disappointed by the rainout, Rapone said.

The event is a chance for top high school players to showcase their talent for college recruiters and give them a chance to play against some of the other top players in the Northeast and Canada.

This weekend, the boys' championship games were scheduled to be played. Next weekend, girls' games are scheduled.

Batavia soccer standout signs with Kutztown University

By Howard B. Owens

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Maggie Cecere, who set a school record in her senior year in soccer, made it official yesterday by signing her letter of intent to attend Kutztown University in Pennsylvania.

Kutztown is coming off a season where the soccer team was ranked #4 among Division II schools.

Photo: Zach, Kathy, Maggie and Peter Cecere; back row, Victor VanVliet and Roger Hume.

Batavia's Leach, Ray, Reinhart, Cecere make All Greater Rochester teams

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia running back and linebacker Ray Leach is the only sophomore to be named to the All Greater Rochester First Team in football.

Leach finished the season with 1,888 yards rushing. He scored 28 touchdowns. He made 62 tackles as a linebacker.

Leach isn't alone on the first team. Also named from Batavia Anthony Ray, a junior, who was Section V Class B Defensive Player of the Year and has been on all three of Batavia's Section V championship teams. He made 82 tackles and nine sacks.

Named to the second team was quarterback Jerry Reinhart.

The other top honor for a Genesee County athlete went to Maggie Cecere, Batavia, who was named to second team in girls soccer.

Maggie Cecere named to All-State First Team in soccer

By Howard B. Owens

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Batavia's Maggie Cecere has been named to the First Team, All-State Class A girls soccer team for 2016.

Of the 11 girls named to the team, only two were from Section V.

Cecere has committed to Kutztown University where she will be a pre-med major and play for the Golden Bears, a team coming off its most successful season in program history, making it to the final four of the Division II NCAA playoffs. The team will be ranked #4 to start the 2017 season.

Her sister, Samantha, just completed her first college season as goalie for Wilkes University. She is a pre-pharmacy major.

Photo courtesy of Steve Ognibene.

Pembroke making run at sectional title in soccer

By Rick D. Franclemont

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For the first time in program history, Pembroke's soccer team has advanced in sectional play, beating Cal-Mum on Wednesday night 4-0. The Dragons entered the tournament as the #2 seed. Jamil Marable had two goals while Spencer Cowell and Ryan Curtis each added a goal and an assist.

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More photos can be seen at : http://francletography.photoshelter.com/gallery/2016-10-19-Cal-Mum-Boys-Varsity-at-Pembroke/G00008SZ5ALDrX.o/C0000ONQk3dqJ1PM

 

Batavia girls soccer on a good run even with Senior Night loss to Eastridge

By Howard B. Owens

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The Batavia High School Girls Soccer Team will likely head into sectional play after three more regular season games with a double-digit win total for the first time in the program's history, despite a 1-0 loss to Eastridge last night at Van Detta Stadium, which dropped the team's record to 9-4.

Eastridge is now 8-4.

The game at Van Detta was a rare night game for the Lady Devils, and even rarer for a soccer game on Woodward Field.

Typically, the senior game is played under the lights at Genesee Community College, but the game was moved to Batavia's track and football complex because of ongoing construction at the college.

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Photos: Cecere breaks school record, Lady Devils win 2-0 over HFL

By Steve Ognibene

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In the photo above, senior Maggie Cecere is kicking in her second goal of the afternoon at Batavia High School, breaking a girls and boys soccer school record that was held since 1996 by Julie Redband Varland with 37 goals in a high school career.

Her 38th goal was recorded in the second half of the game with 14 minutes left and assisted by Junior Sophia Dinehart. Batavia won 2-0 over Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Maggie tied the school record scoring 20 minutes into the first half off a pass from senior Ali Moore. Shots on goal after the half were 9-1 Batavia.

Batavia came out a little sluggish in the second half but their defense held tough. Second-half shots were 7-5 Batavia.

Maggie's father, Assistant Coach Peter Cecere, embraced his daughter at the completion of the game along with teammates who celebrated their first home win; their record increases to 5-1. Batavia Head Coach Roger Hume is very proud of his team starting off strong and hope it continues into their next game -- away vs. Eastridge, Friday night at 7.

To view more photos and to purchase prints click here.

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GCC soccer forward named WNY Athletic Conference Freshman Male Athlete of the Year

By Billie Owens

Press release:

GCC freshman men's soccer forward William Stone (Little Hampton, United Kingdom) added to his list of accolades during his first season at Genesee, earning Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) Freshman Male Athlete of the Year honors for 2015-2016. The announcement was made by the conference on Thursday.

Stone, also named the Region III Division III Player of the Year last fall, was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-American First Team, All-Region III First Team and All-WNYAC First Team. He helped lead Genesee to the No. 1 ranking in the country and second regional title in school history. Stone played in and started 18 games for the Cougars and led the country in assists with 18 and was fifth in goals with 25. He totaled 68 points, the third highest mark in the country.

Genesee held the No. 1 ranking in the country for five consecutive weeks and won the Region III District A championship, advancing to the second NJCAA Men's Soccer National Tournament in school history. The 2015 team set the national record for most goals in a season with 141 and its 20 wins is the new school record for most victories in a single season. 

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

Empire Cup College Showcase brings in more than 1,600 visitor to Genesee County,

By Billie Owens

Press release from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce:

Genesee County will host over 1,600 soccer players, coaches, families and fans at the Empire Cup College Showcase. The tournament will feature some of the Northeast United States and Canada’s top high school and early-college level soccer talent. Boys played on May 7-8 and girls will compete on May 14-15.

The influx of visitors is expected to create over a $250,000 economic impact during the span of both tournaments through staying in hotels and visiting local restaurants and shops. The tournament will generate more than 600 room nights at area hotels. The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce will assist visitors in finding local destinations by providing the new dining guide, maps, visitors guide and area coupons from participating merchants. 

Numerous college coaches attend and scout out potential recruits for their soccer programs. The games will be played at Batavia Sports Park and Genesee Community College.

Genesee United scores 2 more tourney wins

By Chris Chilano

The Genesee United Varsity Girls soccer team took home two more tourney wins this weekend, taking first place at the Attica Tourney on Saturday and the 9th annual Amanda Mabon Oakfield Tounament on Sunday.

United defeated Warsaw 8-1 in the championship game at the Attica tourney on Saturday. Maddie Farrell led the way with 4 goals. On Sunday the team defeated Byron-Bergen 2-0 in the Oakfield tournament final behind Destiny Satkowski's 2 goals and Carlyn Niver's 6 saves for the shutout.

This gives United 6 Tourney wins this indoor season, in addition to 6 second place finishes. Team members are:

Carlyn Niver (Spencerport), Destiny Satkowski (Medina), Maddie Farrell (Dansville), Katline Cartwright (Leroy), Jenny Yuhnke (Pavilion), Maddie Shoemaker (Cal-Mum), Leah Whiteman (Dansville), Autumn Jeffery (Cal-Mum), Gabi Dellapenna (Notre Dame), Mariah Elsenhemier (Albion), Olivia Brumfield (Cal-Mum), Elyse Snow (Batavia), and Addysen Dimatteo (Notre Dame). The team is coached by Chris Chilano and Jessie Rapone.

Next up for the ladies are the Byron-Bergen and Batavia Indoor tourney's this upcoming weekend.

No. 1 GCC men's soccer on to regional finals

By Andrew Crofts

For the fifth straight season the Genesee Community College men's soccer team will play for a Region III title after the No. 1 nationally-ranked Cougars rolled Mohawk Valley CC in the regional semifinals on Tuesday night, 8-0.

A pair of hat tricks sparked the No. 1 seed, which is now just three goals away from tying the all-time National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) single season mark for goals in a season (134).

Ricard Fernandez-Sarro and William Stone each scored three times for Genesee, with Fernandez-Sarro getting tallies in the 2nd, 5th and 49th minutes and Stone scoring in the 32nd, 41st and 48th minutes.

The Cougars' defense provided another strong effort, holding the Hawks to just two shots on goal. Connor Halsted and Lee Payne split time in net and made one save apiece.

Victor Obetta-Chinenye added two second half goals for the Cougars, in the 75th and 77th minutes respectively.

Stone also had two assists in the game and Fernandez-Sarro, Rafael Godoi, Sam King and Joao Falco each had an assist apiece.

The win, Genesee's 18th of the season, is the new school record for most wins in a single season. The Cougars will play the winner of No. 4 SUNY Broome and No. 12 Niagara County CC (Oct. 28) in the regional finals on Saturday at noon at Herkimer College.

GCC women's soccer out of regional tournament

By Andrew Crofts

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team bowed out of the Region III Championships, falling to Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Tuesday night, 2-1.

TC3, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, scored less than four minutes into the first half to take a 1-0 lead.

Genesee, the No. 4 seed, dominated time of possession for the majority of the opening period and sent three shots on net but could not get the equalizer.

The Panthers extended their lead in the 54th minute when Kristin Dake scored to make it 2-0.

The Cougars finally broke through in the 68th minute when Carly Stefani finished a pass from Brianna VanAmeron to cut the TC3 lead down to one.

Genesee had a chance to tie in the 72nd minute when a red card assessed to TC3 resulted in a penalty kick. Kayla Doyle's shot was turned aside by the Panthers' goalkeeper and the score remained 2-1.

GCC managed four shots down the stretch during the final 10-minutes of play, but could not find the back of the net and ends the season with an 11-6 record.

TC3 advances to the Region III Finals, which will take place at Herkimer College on Sunday.

Nationally-ranked Cougars sweep Cayuga CC in soccer

By Andrew Crofts

The No. 5 nationally-ranked GCC women's soccer team bounced back after a road loss at SUNY Broome on Monday with a 5-2 win over Cayuga Community College at home on Wednesday afternoon.

Kayla Doyle put the Cougars in front in the 14th minute with her eighth goal of the season. Shawna Adams earned the assist.

Adams scored herself just six minutes later and Gabriella Garcea gave GCC a 3-0 going into halftime with a goal in the 40th minute.

The Spartans cut the Genesee lead to one with back-to-back goals in the 45th and 50th minutes to make a 3-2 game.

Nikki Mauro gave the Cougars an insurance goal and a 4-2 lead with a tally in the 59th  minute after a failed clear in the Cayuga end.

Doyle added her second goal of the game off of a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and GCC held Cayuga scoreless the rest of the way to improve to 8-2 on the season.

Mauro and Garcea also added an assist apiece and Katlynne Tubo made three saves in net. The Cougars outshot the Spartans 25-5 (shots on goal) in the game.

Genesee will return to action at home on Saturday when it hosts Erie CC for a 1 P.M. start.

 

The second-ranked Cougars made it 10 wins in a row to start the season, beating visiting Cayuga Community College 6-3 on Wednesday afternoon.

Genesee took the lead just over four minutes into the game after Austin Richardson scored unassisted. William Stone followed just two minutes after with his first of three goals in the game, scoring off of an assist from Jack Speakman to make it 2-0 GCC.

Cayuga answered with a goal in the 18th minute to cut the GCC lead down to one, but Stone responded a minute later finding the back of the net to put Genesee on top 3-1.

After a Spartans goal in the 25th minute to make it a 3-2 game, Rafael Godoi sent Genesee into the half with a 4-2 lead, scoring unassisted in the 40th minute.

GCC scored the first two goals of the second half as Stone and Richardson struck in the 45th and 61st minutes respectively. 

Cayuga netted its final goal on a penalty kick in the 62nd minute and Genesee controlled possession the rest of the half to put away the visitors.

Godoi also added an assist and Connor Halstead and Lee Payne split time in net, combining to make six saves.

Genesee (10-0) will return to action at home on Saturday against Erie CC at 3 P.M.

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