Kelly Leads Naz
10/31/2009

October 27, 2009

Tuesday afternoon, Bill McKee�s Nazareth Lasers showed that any rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. A rash of injuries and illness forced the Lasers to limp through the end of the regular season. The Blue and Gold�s performance in the opening round of the sectionals demonstrated they have recaptured their stride.

Senior Emily Kelly established a Nazareth Academy record as the Lasers downed the Gananda Panthers, 7-0 in the opening round of the Section Five Class CC playoffs.

Kelly wasted little time opening the scoring. The forward gathered a pass from teammate, Biannca Bullard, beat a pair of Panther defenders and spotted Naz a lead just three minutes into the match. The tally was first of five for Kelly � a Nazareth Academy record. Kelly scored three more times in the first stanza. Anna Brado delivered a cross from the right flank, and Kelly found the back of the net. Harley Cleary, who recently returned from an injured ankle, picked up a pair of assists on Kelly�s third and fourth goals.

Four minutes into the second half, Kelly tallied for the fifth and final time. Maggie Bates earned an assist on the play.

Janine Swanson and Hannah Howell closed the scoring. Stephanie DiCenzo freed Swanson with a lead pass. The senior captain then let fly from 25 yards. Howell took a pass from Emma Stappenback and beat the Panther keeper.

Nazareth outshot Gananda 36 to 2. The Nazareth defensive corps of Haley Swanson, Sara Hart-Predmore, Melissa Ercoli, Brianna Pettinaro, and Lauren Kelly limited the Panthers to few chances. Megan Kane made two saves for the shutout. Kane also returned just recently from injury.

The Lasers advanced to the second round and face a familiar foe � the Bloomfield Bombers. The two teams squared off in last year�s final � a game that ended in a tie with the Blue and Gold advancing on penalty kicks.

Naz lost five of their final six regular season games. While the Blue and Gold won�t spend time and energy making excuses, it is hard to ignore the effects of a depleted lineup.

Greece Odyssey and Mercy both fended off second-half comebacks and defeated the Lasers by a goal. The Lasers struggled on the annual trip to Pittsburgh � falling in both games of the Hampton Tournament. Naz closed the season with a second loss to Odyssey, 3-1.

The one bright spot at the end of the season came as the Lasers downed Sodus, 6-2. Brado notched a pair of goals while Kelly, Stappenback, Howell, and Ercoli all chipped in goals. Ercoli�s was the highlight of the day as the sophomore delivered on a corner kick. From the left flag, Ercoli swung the ball past the Sodus net-minder.

  Nazareth�s second round game against Bloomfield takes place Friday. Time and location are yet to be determined.

Paul Gotham
Pickin' Splinters