Section V's upcoming girls soccer tournaments offer plenty of intrigue, as a few extensive title streaks are again put to the test.
Here's a look at the large school tournament brackets:
Class AAA
- Defending champion: Fairport
- Top seed: Penfield
- Championship: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at Webster Schroeder
This four-team tournament seems up for grabs. No. 1-seeded Penfield (6-4-4) makes the leap to Class AAA for the first time since the classification's inaugural season in 2023. The Patriots enter sectional play with two losses and two draws in their last four matches. Penfield proved during the regular season it can hang with any team, finishing 2-1-2 against current state-ranked teams.
The season has been a slog for three-time defending champion Fairport (4-7-3), which scored only 11 total goals in its 14 matches.
Don't expect that trend to change should the Red
Raiders meet Penfield in the final. The teams played to two scoreless draws during the regular season.
Class AA
- Defending champion: Churchville-Chili, Spencerport
- Top seed: Aquinas
- Championship: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Webster Thomas
There might not be a better tournament than Class AA, with six teams boasting 10-plus wins during the regular season. That strength is only reinforced by the addition of Aquinas, last year's Class A state finalist.
The Lil Irish (16-0-0) are one of only a few teams in the NYSPHSAA without a loss or tie. No team in the section has scored more than Aquinas' 84 goals, but the Lil Irish are deft on the defensive end too (seven goals allowed in 16 matches). Senior Sienna Fallone leads Section V in goals (34) and total points (84), while freshman Ava Barbone ranks among the leaders in assists (16).
Is Spencerport's 10-year section title streak in jeopardy? Despite a midseason lull — back-to-back losses and a rare absence from the state rankings in late September — the Rangers (12-2-2) managed the second seed in the bracket. It's been scoring by committee for Spencerport this season, while goalkeeper Addison Lynch has solidified the back end.
Greece Athena (13-3-0) hopes to make amends for last season, when the Trojans were ousted in the quarterfinals despite their No. 2 seed. Seeded third this year, Athena leans on Haley Drake (33 goals) and Lauren Grasley (19 assists) for an offensive spark.
Class A
- Defending champion: Aquinas
- Top seed: Pittsford Sutherland
- Championship: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 at Webster Thomas
This could be the year for Pittsford Sutherland (12-1-3), as the Knights pursue their first section title since 1994, a stat that's surely grown old for a team that's lost three consecutive Class A finals. The door is open, though, as recent champions Aquinas and Pittsford Mendon are both in AA this season.
One thing that's plagued the Knights in recent finals appearances: Offense. While the defense has held up its end of the bargain, Sutherland hasn't scored in its last three championship game appearances. Senior Lizzie Riley (43 points) and sophomore Sarah Fields (21 points) hope to reverse that trend.
Offense hasn't been an issue for second-seeded Wayne. The Eagles are averaging 3 1/2 goals per game, more than any other team in the bracket. Amaya Glessing's 17 goals drive the bus for one of the Finger Lakes league's top teams.
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V large school girls soccer tournaments are loaded with intrigue
