Sports Briefs: September 21, 2023

Hotaling, Jensen Lead Win

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown girls soccer is 4-0 for the season after a Center State Conference home win against Dolgeville on Wednesday, September 13. Senior Sophia Hotaling and junior Annelise Jensen each scored twice in the 4-1 victory. Jensen scored in the first minute of the game on an assist from Senior Rory Nelen. Brenna Seamon made six saves in the win.

Oneonta Girls Beat Norwich

NORWICH—Oneonta girls soccer defeated rival Norwich in an exciting, back-and-forth Southern Tier Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, September 13. Josey Ryan scored for Norwich four minutes into the match, but Oneonta’s Grace Slesinsky scored twice in succession. Veronika Madej scored for Oneonta, followed by Slesinsky’s third goal late in the first half. However, Norwich scored twice more in under a minute right before halftime. The Purple Tornadoes tied the game at 4-4 halfway through the second half, but Slesinsky rounded out the day’s scoring with her fourth goal of the match with 20 minutes left in regulation time. The Yellowjackets held on for a 5-4 victory. In addition to Slesinsky’s and Madej’s performances, Carly Stamas and Josie Scanlon each contributed two assists.

Bierman, Francoeur Honored

ONEONTA—Following their first-place finishes at the home Annual Oneonta Airfield Invitational, SUNY Oneonta athletes Jonthomas Bierman and Megan Francoeur were named the SUNY Athletic Conference cross-country athletes of the week on Monday, September 11. Bierman led the 6K men’s race for most of the course on a sweltering, humid day and finished with a personal best time of 19:55, 14 seconds ahead of the second place runner. Francoeur also hit a personal best of 15:22 in the 4K race, 22 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Both Oneonta teams finished second in the team standings.

Two Teams Shut Out in TVL

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Tri-Valley League saw two shutouts in girls soccer on Thursday, September 14. Edmeston/Morris defeated Sharon Springs 5-0 at home, led by a three-goal performance by Hannah Wist. Jaidon Brodie scored three times and made an assist for Laurens as the Leopards beat Gilbertsville-Mount Upton 7-0 at home.

X-Country Has Top Finishers

WATERVILLE—The Cooperstown cross-country teams raced against Canastota, Clinton and Waterville in their first Center State Conference meet on Wednesday, September 13. Margaret Raffo finished third in the girls varsity race with a 5K time of 23:14; Cate Bohler was ninth at 25:34 and Nora Craig finished 12th with a time of 26:33. The Hawkeyes did not field a full team in this race and were not scored.

The boys varsity team defeated Waterville, which had an incomplete team, and Canastota, and lost to Clinton. Carter Stevens led the Cooperstown team, finishing second overall in 18:32. Junior Jonah Hitchcock finished eighth with a time of 21:34. Brendan Heaver, Jack Yorke and freshman Owen Capozza Flannigan rounded out the scoring part of Cooperstown’s team in 12th, 15th and 17th places, respectively.

Milford Defeats Richfield

MILFORD—Milford girls soccer beat Richfield Springs 5-1 in a Tri-Valley League victory on Saturday, September 16. Kara Mertz made two goals and added an assist, while Delaney Maison scored one goal and made one assist. Cam Marshall scored for Richfield.

Run/Walk Breaks Record

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—A record 118 participants took part in the Richfield Springs Community Center’s annual Sundae Run/Walk Fundraiser on Sunday, July 16. The event featured five-kilometer (3.1 miles) and 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) races and a two-mile untimed walk. All races started and finished near the intersection of Bronner and Lake streets in the Village of Richfield Springs. Jordan Hoffman of Rome won the men’s 5K with a time of 15:31. Erin Ludwig of Frankfort won the women’s 5K at 21:29. Amanda Conklin of Edmeston finished first in the women’s 10K with a time of 52:02. Charles Hollister of Oneonta won the won the men’s 10K at 40:05.

The Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department provided assistance on the race course. American Legion Post 616 donated the use of its facility to host registration and the awards ceremony. Stewart’s Shops was the exclusive corporate sponsor and the Richfield Springs location donated ice cream sundae kits for participants to enjoy after the event.
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