Published: October 26, 2009 10:24 pm      

GIRLS SOCCER: NT, KW ready for big playoff runs

North Tonawanda competed for a Section VI girls soccer championship in 2006 and 2007. Last year, the Lady Jacks had to settle for a semifinal loss to Clarence. This year’s NT squad is ready to relive the joy of playing in the sectional finals.

’They were ready to play today,’ Lady Jacks coach Steve Sabo said Monday. ’They know what it’s like to be (in the finals), and they want to get back to that part.’

NT’s quest begins today with a Class AA prequarterfinal match against visiting Sweet Home, which drew the No. 12 seed in the AA bracket.

The fifth-seeded Lady Jacks aren’t taking Sweet Home’s lower seeding lightly. ’We prepared for them just as though we’d prepare for Kenmore West or Grand Island,’ Sabo said. ’Any team can win on any given day.’

Senior Amanda Smyth has keyed the Lady Jacks lately with her goal-scoring ability. She has 16 goals and 10 assists on the season. Meghan Lipinoga has led the defense, along with sophomore goalkeeper Christina Sarokon. Forward Colleen Wiechec also has been playing well.

’This year she has a much more difficult task because more teams are putting two players on her, so she can’t do some of the things she wants,’ Sabo said. ’They’ve worked together to play as one unit,’ he said of his team. ’Every one has their role and has done their job to get us to where we are.’

The winner of today’s match advances to Friday’s quarterfinal round. The most likely scenario is an NT-Orchard Park quarterfinal.

Both teams are quite familiar with one another. NT defeated Orchard Park last fall in advancing to the semifinals. Prior to that, the Lady Jacks had lost to OP four straight years in the playoffs.

Class AA Quarterfinals

Kenmore West earned a first-round bye. The third-seeded Blue Devils on Friday will host the winner of the West Seneca West-Hamburg prequarterfinal.

Backstopped by sensational senior goalie Kirsty Webb, Ken West is hoping to return to its sectional winning ways. The Blue Devils won the AA title in 2007.

Webb will be a key presence in West’s playoff run. She’s made 73 saves and given up 15 goals in 1,220 minutes of action this fall. She has the fifth-lowest goals allowed per game (.984) average among Class AA goalkeepers in the state.

Sophomore captain Lexi Panepinto has 19 goals and eight assists for the Blue Devils, while sister Jenna has eight goals and 18 assists.

Class B Prequarterfinals

The seventh-seeded Tonawanda Warriors will host Alden at 7 p.m. Wednesday under the lights at Clint Small Stadium, with the winner advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinal round.

The Warriors (11-4-1) closed out the regular season strong, winning six of their last eight games. Junior Kaitlynn Moore leads THS with 19 goals, while senior captain Tara Radkiewicz has 14.

Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.



SECTION VI GIRLS SOCCER PLAYOFFS

’ Class AA Prequarterfinals ’ 12-Sweet Home at 5-NT, 3:30 p.m. today; quarterfinals ’ SH/NT vs. Nia. Falls/OP, 3:30 p.m. Friday; W. Sen. West/Hamburg at 3-Ken West, 3:30 p.m. Friday.

’ Class A prequarters ’ 11-Ken East at 6-Starpoint, 3:30 p.m. today.

’ Class B prequarters ’ 10-Alden at 7-Tonawanda, 7 p.m. Wednesday