SECTION IV GIRLS SOCCER: OWEGO HOPING THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM (2023-10-21)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — They say the third time is the charm. If that is true, then this is the year the Owego girls soccer team goes all the way to the state playoffs.

After near misses the past two seasons, the River Hawks are hoping to capture a Section IV championship this fall.

“Going back to sectionals has been the focus since day one,” said Owego coach Laurel Neira. “This is a determined group of girls who want it after being so close the last two years.”

After tying Chenango Valley and losing out on a trip to states in 2021 via a shootout, Owego took second to the Warriors in 2022.

This season, following the addition of another classification to the state ranks, the Hawks come in as the second seed in Class A behind Maine-Endwell (8-6).

There are only three teams in Class A with Norwich (3-10) being the other team. Owego hosts the Purple Tornado in the semifinals today.

The Hawks won their first meeting, 7-0, behind a 5-goal performance from all-state senior Erin McDonald.

McDonald is the team’s top scorer, followed by Ashlyn Dalton, but the Hawks have multiple players who have scored five or more goals.

Owego has posted eight shutout victories and won its first 13 games before falling to Horseheads, 2-0, in the STAC semifinals last week.

While the offense has pounded the back of opposing nets for 68 goals, the defense has been equally impressive. Spearheaded by goalkeeper Olivia Dodge the Hawks have surrendered just 10 goals.

The Owego roster boasts seven seniors. In addition to McDonald, a two-time All-Tioga County Player of the Year, Alex Aubel, Taylor Dalton, Cassie Doane, Brooklyn Gaurnier, Jillian Lewis, Ebba Lindhout, Alexis Nelson and Zoey Schneider.

Juniors include Kayla Coppage, Dodge, Cadia Fain, Anna Hodges, Maekayla Overacker, Liz Reigle, Bella Silvestri and Bella Sirotkin.

There are no sophomores and Ashlyn Dalton is the only freshman.

Neira, who is assisted by Jess Rocco and Katelyn Simpson, likes this team’s odds of capturing a sectional title.

“I think we have a pretty good chance, as long as we keep focused and work as hard throughout the sectional tournament as we’ve done all year!” she said.

The game begins at 3:30 p.m.

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