IAC GIRLS SOCCER: UNDERSTAFFED NEWARK VALLEY FALLS TO GROTON IN SEASON OPENER (2025-09-03)

Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — The Newark Valley girls’ soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision to Groton on Tuesday in a hard-fought matchup.

The Cardinals, whose roster has just 12 girls, played their home opener without any substitutes as IAC all-star Kam Short is sidelined with an injury.

Groton, the defending IAC Small School champions, broke through with 22 minutes left in the first half when Devin Blasz buried a perfectly struck free kick from 30 yards out, driving the ball over the keeper’s hands and under the crossbar. Just two minutes later, Blasz added her second tally, heading home a corner kick served into the box by Jill Zigenfus to give the Red Hawks a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The visitors extended their lead 12 minutes into the second half on a tough-luck play, when a Newark Valley clearance attempt near the goal line deflected off a defender and into the net. Despite the deficit, Newark Valley battled back with a late surge, creating several scoring chances down the stretch.

“I am proud of how hard our young team worked today,” said coach Chuck Schneider. “We made our halftime adjustments and had a better second half, creating scoring opportunities. It wasn’t easy on a hot day without subs, but they showed great character with their effort.”

Groton took 10 shots to NV’s 6 and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Cardinals’ Layla Brind and Groton’s Stella Holl stopped four shots apiece in goal.

NV (0-1) hosts Tioga (0-2) Tuesday.

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IN PHOTO 1: NV’s Anika Smith. IN TOP PHOTO: NV’s Layla Brind. … PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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