Youth soccer
Amherst girls U-9 Fire turn up the heat in Brockport

The Amherst girls U-9 Fire won a soccer tournament in Brockport. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Kelsey Kramer, Callista Athans, Cara Manzella, Shannon Gilbert and Leah Bookbinder; second row - coach Kelsie Moran, Sarah Scolnick, Julia Helfman, Emma Poveromo, Isabelle Gidwitz, Alea Manzella, Lexi Skibitsky and coach Paul Kramer.

The Amherst girls U-9 Fire outdoor travel soccer team was crowned champs this weekend in Brockport.

The Fire tied Greece, 3-3, on Saturday morning. Sarah Scolnick scored twice for Amherst followed by a goal from Lexi Skibtsky to tie things up.

Goalie Emma Poveroma made some great saves in the first half. Kelsey Kramer took over as keeper in the second half and held Greece scoreless.

Defenders Isabelle Gidwitz, Alea Manzella and Leah Bookbinder were solid in the backfield.

In the second game on Saturday, the Fire turned up the flame early in the first half with center forward Scolnick scoring on a beautiful breakaway goal. Attackers Kelsey Kramer and Callista Athans each scored, widening the lead. Goalkeeper Shannon Gilbert was outstanding in net, making one great save after another. Gidwitz and Alea Manzella were invaluable defenders. Scolnick scored again, making the score 4-1 in the first half.

The second half was much of the same, this time with Cara Manzella as goaltender. She made some great saves, stopping Brockport from getting ahead. Poveromo scored for Amherst assisted by Skibitsky. Scolnick had two more goals, assisted by Gilbert and Bookbinder. The final score was 7-2.

The final game against Chilie for the title ended with a 4-1 win for Amherst. Athans started the scoring with a high ball that couldn't be stopped. Scolnick picked up the ball after Fire keeper Gilbert kicked it high and close to the Chilie net. Scolnick centered it and made the goal.

Midfielders Alea Manzella and Kramer were great, beating Chilie for every ball. Attacker Skibitsky had many shots on net but the Chilie goalkeeper was tough. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for the Fire highlighted by Gilbert turning away shot after shot.

The Fire secured the win early in the second half. Athans took off down field and buried one in the net. The strong defensive skills of Gidwitz, Kramer and Alea Manzella in the backfield really helped the Fire keep their lead. Keeper Cara Manzella was determined to win, making some unbelievable saves.

Bookbinder scored the final goal for Amherst from a nice feed from Gilbert.