North girls soccer knocks off top-seeded OP

Williamsville North's Suzanne Jacobs tries to head a ball during the Lady Spartans' 2-0 prequarterfinal win last Tuesday at Frontier. North beat Orchard Park, 1-0, in the quarterfinals to advance them into the semifinals. Photo by John Normile Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Williamsville North Lady Spartans advanced to the semifinals of the Section VI Class AA tournament after a 2-0 win at Frontier last Tuesday and a 1-0 victory at Orchard Park last Friday.

In a pre-quarterfinal match-up with ECIC I rival Frontier, North as the number nine seed, had to travel to Frontier, who due to league victories, ended up as an eight seed. North split their two regular season contests with a 4-0 victory and a 1-0 loss.

Five minutes into the game, Shannon Algoe placed a ball into the upper corner of the goal on a 25-yard direct kick.

"It was a very smart play," said North coach Dan Greiner. "The Frontier goalie and defenders were setting up for the kick and Shannon knew that the whistle did not need to be blown again to start the play, so she hit the ball before they were set up. She has played a lot of soccer at a very high level, so when she sees an opportunity, she has the green light."

North's second goal came with 18 minutes left in the first half. Algoe played a ball outside to half-back Molly Mitchell, who chipped a ball into the middle where Kristi Putzig finished with a volley over the goalie's head.

"It was a really nice goal," Greiner said. "Kristi has played well all season long, so it was nice to see her get a goal in such a big game."

North's defense, led by Kelsey Mulvihill, Kristin Boreanaz, Jenny Piaggione and Danielle Charboneau held Frontier to five shots for the entire game.

"The entire team played extremely well all day long," said Greiner. "Frontier is a very physical team who has some players that never stop working. Danielle Charboneau had a battle all day long with Frontier's leading scorer and the rest of the defense was outstanding. I also thought Kristin Neese at center midfield had her best game of the season. She challenged every ball and was making great decisions."

North traveled to No. 1 seed Orchard Park on Friday and ended OP's season. North played Orchard Park twice during the season. Their first meeting was disappointing 1-0 loss that was called at halftime due to lightning. In their second contest, the two teams played to a 0-0 tie.

"Goals have been difficult in the game and a half that we have played them this year," said Greiner. "In both encounters, I felt like we dominated parts of the game, but just couldn't finish. I knew if we could just get one, we would have a great chance to win."

North got its wish 19 minutes into the first half. Hannah Bachwitz scored her second goal of the season on an assist from Meredith Kirby.

"Meredith made a fantastic run with the ball and found Hannah who was all alone on the outside left, and she buried it," said Greiner. "OP had left the outside midfield open in the two other games we played them, so we knew it would be there again. It was a really nice goal with a really nice set up."

North's defense was solid again, only allowing four shots for the entire game.

North traveled to fourth-seed Kenmore West on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press.

"They are a talented team who we got to play in a non-league game at the end of the season," said Greiner. "They handed us our worst defeat of the season with a 2-0 score. We have not lost to a team by more that one goal, so it was a little disappointing. It should be a good game."