MASSENA — The Seton Catholic and Plattsburgh High girls' soccer teams will find some familiarity today in NYSPHAA regional soccer action at Massena High School.
For the second straight year, the Knights will square off against Brushton-Moira (10-7) at 4 p.m. Last season, Seton Catholic defeated the Panthers, 3-0.
The Hornets, for the third year in a row, will take on Section X's Potsdam (15-3) at 6 p.m. Plattsburgh High won both prior contests, with last year's game being decided on penalty kicks.
Recent history sides with Section VII in girls' soccer regional play. Since 2006, Section VII holds an 8-2 record against Section X teams, with the Section X wins both coming in 2006.
CLASS B
Plattsburgh High's opponent in the regional game may not have changed in three years, but the team's mindset may have.
"Our goal now is to get to that final four," Plattsburgh High coach Tim Mulligan said, adding that three years ago the goal was more to win a few sectional games. "The way of thinking has changed."
The Hornets came out on top in the Section VII Class B playoffs as the second seed. They are led by the school's all-time leader in goals and points, Sarah Carter.
Carter, who has 25 goals and 10 assists this season to lead her team in both categories, has 71 goals and 165 career points.
Mulligan said it will be Carter's third game back from injury, and while she may not be 100 percent, he expects to see her best effort.
Potsdam, the top seed out of Section X Class B, defeated Canton, 1-0, in the championship game to advance to the state playoffs for the third straight year. The Sandstoners have been strong defensively, giving up just 15 goals over 18 games this season.
Cassie Grace leads the team with 38 points (11-16), while Tess Curry has a team-high 12 goals.
Mulligan said Potsdam is an athletic team that plays hard, but he doesn't plan on changing anything going into the game.
"We're definitely looking to be the aggressor in the game, not sit back and let them decide the tempo of the game," Mulligan said. "We're going to stick to our game-plan."
Class C
Seton Catholic faced adversity before the season started.
On top of losing key players to graduation, senior forward Kate Murnane was lost for the season with an injury. Midway through the schedule, the Knights suffered another blow when defender Mary Brigid Cannon was lost for the season.
But Seton Catholic was resilient. Kerry Cannon stepped into her sister's spot and Seton Catholic coach Jason Fenner said he couldn't have asked anything more from her on the job she has done. The Knights captured the top seed and eventual won their second straight Section VII Class C crown.
"That's why you fall, so you can pick yourself back up and go back at it," Fenner said.
The Knights have a formidable offensive attack led by Bushey sisters Lindsey and Alexis, who have combined for 83 points. Kaile Bushey isn't far behind with 27 points, fourth on the team behind Rhea Breyette (11-5-27).
"The big story has to be the eighth-grader, Lindsay. I even hate saying eighth-grader out loud because she is certainly beyond that and I wouldn't be surprised if they mark her," Fenner said.
Alexis, along with Eliza Salis, are battling illness. Alexis didn't start in the Class C title game over the weekend because of her bug, but still came in to assist on the winning goal.
Fenner's team will take on a Panther squad peaking at just the right time.
Brushton-Moira made it to the state playoffs after taking the Section X Class C crown as the No. 3 seed. The Panthers dispatched No. 2 seed Tupper Lake in the semifinals before taking top-seeded Norwood-Norfolk to four overtime periods and then winning in a shootout.
The Panthers are led by striker Kelsey Manchester (9-5-23).
Fenner has done his scouting, but he also points out that at this point in the season planning doesn't equal success.
"You can compile all the stats you want, but hey, it's playoff time and girls you might have saw once or twice a year can break out and be that X-factor, so to speak," he said. "And I think that is what playoffs are all about, is really applying everything you've learned."
Team statistics
Class B
Plattsburgh High Hornets
Coach: Tim Mulligan
Overall record: 16-2-1
Goals for: 57 goals against: 19
Playergapts
Sarah Carter251058
Marle Curle7519
Meagan Gadzuk-Shea3511
Leah Villeneuve339
Madison Trombley259
Ashley Menard157
Charisse Abellard157
Hillary Miller204
Cieara Duquette204
Brooke Callioras113
Megan Jubert022
Molly LeClair011
Brittany LaRue011
Anna Pavone011
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Emily Schultz19810818
Chelsie Reil1180
Note: Sarah Carter has 72 goals, 23 assists for 167 career points.
Potsdam Sandstoners
Coach: Joe Stark
Overall record: 15-3
Goals for: 45 goals against: 15
Playergapts
Cassie Grace111638
Tess Curry12630
Keeley Rice11729
Lia Davis5111
Kaycee Maguire328
Allie Fayette113
Tess Hazen113
Natalie Caranza102
Kanika Misra022
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Monique Cornett15—9214
Class C
Seton Catholic Knights
Coach: Jason Fenner
Overall record: 13-4-0
Goals for: 60 goals against: 17
Playergapts
Lindsey Bushey211153
Alexis Bushey71630
Rhea Breyette11527
Kaile Bushey7418
Lyndale Nephew419
Stephanie Egan215
Samantha Mulcahy215
Rachel Daly204
Kelsey Doorey113
Mary Brigid Cannon102
Alexa Cosgro102
Abigail Lawrence011
Eliza Zalis011
Megan Tedford011
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Shannon Olsen1759217
Brushton-Moira Panthers
Coach: Charles Phippen
Overall record: 10-7
Goals for: 30 goals against: 26
Playergapts
Kelsey Manchester9523
Meghan Follett6416
Taylor Kleck5414
Jessica Jacques419
Shayna Russell237
Kristyn Trimm306
Sandra Martin011
Brooke Boyea011
Autumn Kenney011
Priscilla Parent011
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Emily LaPage16—12123
