Batavia dealt tough loss in soccer sectionals, 2-0

With only one loss, Batavia went into the postseason with one of its best -- perhaps its best -- seasons ever in Girls Soccer, as the #3 seed in Class A and hoping to advance.

The Blue Devils were 14-1-1 in the regular season, but Coach Roger Hume said he knew Palmyra-Macedon would be tough to beat, even though the Raiders finished up the regular season 10-5-1 and the #6 season in Class A.

The Blue Devils 2-0 on Saturday, then, was clearly disappointing to the Batavia squad.

Hume said he was proud of his team's effort and success over the course of the season.

"We had the best record in my 15 years (as head coach)," Hume said. "This group surprised me by how they weren't worried about anyone.  One game at a time. They came back and won two games in OT to keep their undefeated record.   We had five seniors who were all leaders with no drama. It was fun to come to practice.   They have set the bar high, but last year the bar was set for this group, and they crushed it.  Next year's group will be as strong, too."

Pal-Mac's forward, Lillian Boesel, scored both goals for the visiting team.

Batavia played hard through both halves of the match, firing 15 shots, but Pal-Mac keeper Marianna Hodgins came up with 10 saves against shots-on-goal.

The Blue Devils have had five chances to score on corner kicks.

The Raiders took 13 shots, with five on goal saved by Ava Higgins.

"We had enough to beat them," Hume said, "but they took advantage of their opportunities.

The Batavia soccer program -- boys and girls -- has been on the upswing since the move into Van Detta Stadium. The boys finished the season 8-7-1 with a first-round sectional loss to Pittsford Mendon, 9-1.

Girls Sectional Summary:

• Class B: #8 Le Roy lost to #1 Haverling 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
• Class C1: Oakfield-Alabama beat Letchworth in quarterfinals 3-0. The #3 seed will play #2 Williamsville on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Cal-Mum.
• Class C2: #12 Alexander lost to #5 Dundee/Bradford in the pre-quarterfinals 2-1. #4 Byron-Bergen beat #13 Bolivar-Richburg in the quarterfinals 9-0 and next face #1 seed Ganada on Tuesday at a time and location to be determined.
• Class D: #10 Notre Dame beat #7 Mount Morris 6-2 in the pre-quarterfinals and lost 1-0 to Northstar Christian Academy in the quarterfinals.

Boys Sectional Summary:

• Class B: #7 Le Roy lost to #2 Livona 1-0 in the quarterfinal after beating #10 Attica/Alexander in the pre-quarterfinal 4-0.
• Class C: #13 Pembroke lost #4 Keshequa 8-0 in the pre-quarterfinals.  #5 Pavilion/York lost on penalty kicks to Avon after a 2-2 tie in regulation time in the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, #2 Byron-Bergen beat #10 Holly 5-0. On Wednesday, the Bees face #3 Addison at 5 p.m. at Geneseo High School. 

To view more photos from Batavia's game and to purchase prints, click here.