There are 7 titles on the line in Section V girls soccer: Here's who made the finals

SPENCERPORT — As Pittsford Sutherland celebrated clinching a finals berth Wednesday night, the Knights stressed how this year's run is "personal".

Knights coach Adam Palumbo expects to compete for titles every season. Sutherland's last finals appearance was a loss to Pittsford Mendon in the 2021 Class A2 championship. The Knights (12-3-3) will play No. 1 Aquinas (15-1-2) this time around. Both teams produced clean sheets to advance.

Second-seeded Sutherland's 1-0 win over No. 6 Palmyra-Macedon in the Section V Class A semifinals was masterful showing by goalkeeper Madison Littlefield's defense — a theme throughout the tournament. The Knights will join a parade of reigning champions appearing in the Section V championship games, which begin Thursday.

"Every year going into the summer, our goal is to reach the section finals," Palumbo said. "We'll try to make things different this year. But our goals are to compete, work hard and be in the finals every year."

Section V girls soccer finals berths clinched with defense

Class A

An own goal decided the defensive chess match between Pittsford Sutherland and Palmyra-Macedon. Alexandra Bova got the credit. She was ready to receive a cross in the box when Pal-Mac keeper Marianna Hodgins, who otherwise played outstanding, mistimed her dive as her teammate unintentionally knocked the ball through the net in the 31st minute.

As Callie Johnson and the Knights' offense dominated possession, Cecily Kaul, Skyler Fliss, Anna Young and Genevieve Moore were physical in defending lethal scorer Maya Ikewood. Their force limited possessions and clean touches for Pal-Mac's all-time leading scorer. Ikewood and Bova will be teammates at the University at Buffalo next year.

In Aquinas' 3-0 win, keeper Liz Tantal, Molly O'Toole and their defense did the same in limiting touches for No. 5 Greece Olympia's Kayla Mattice. Aquinas freshman Sienna Fallone appeared to be a star in the making after the shifty midfielder's two-goal performance. She's an "extremely technical" player who's comfortable on the ball and while marked.

Juliana Sevio had a powerful left foot on her 30-yard goal. Hard drives to the endline and crisp crosses to the box created many more chances the Irish couldn't cash in.

"We're a very young team, but throughout the year we've found ways to compete and win close matches," Aquinas coach Adam Schwartz said. "They've shown resiliency. I'm proud. This wasn't necessarily our best match, but we found a way to win. That's a really healthy sign."

Class C2

Byron-Bergen (16-3-0) seeks consecutive titles after an 4-1 "upset" over top-seeded and undefeated Gananda (18-1-0) in Tuesday's semifinal. In 2022, the Bees beat Gananda in the Class C crossover.

Sophomore Mia Gray, already with 100 goals, dropped back from center midfield to help Ava Gray and keepers Novalee Pocock and Natalie Prinzi after Natalia Martyniuk's goal gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. Megan Jarkiewicz and Elizabeth Starowitz each netted 30-yard goals in the Bees' win.

"We played so well and finished our chances. Just got to do what you got to do," Mia Gray said.

Byron-Bergen will need a similar defensive effort to defeat Ava Thayer's Keshequa (16-2-0) team that won Class D last season. Both teams made the state final four in 2022. The Bees' program from modified on up has prepared their defense for matches like these.

"The same message is given at every level so when they come up they're already know what's expected," Bees coach Wayne Hill said. "They have the skills. They just got to step in. And the older players trust them to fill in for the graduates."

Section V girls soccer playoff schedule: 2023 finals

Thursday at Webster Schroeder

Class AAA: No. 1 Fairport vs. No. 3 Rush-Henrietta, 7 p.m.

Friday

Class B: No. 1 Haverling vs. No. 3 Mynderse, 6:30 p.m. at Penn Yan

Class C1: No. 1 Holley vs. No. 2 Williamson, 5 p.m. at Gates Chili.

Class C2: No. 3 Keshequa vs. No. 4 Byron-Bergen, 7:30 p.m. at Gates Chili.

Saturday

Class AA: No. 1 Spencerport vs. No. 2 Webster Schroeder, 5 p.m. at Canandaigua.

Class A: No. 1 Aquinas vs. No. 2 Pittsford Sutherland, 2 p.m. at Canandaigua.

Class D: No. 1 Fillmore vs. No. 2 Northstar Christian, TBD.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V girls soccer tournament finals 2023: Schedule, what to know