GIRLS’ TENNIS
OWEGO – The stage was set for Norwich to place first or second in the Class B team tournament Monday afternoon at Owego.
In the doubles finals, the Tornado duo of Jenni Borfitz and Breanna Cashman dropped a straight sets clash to top-seeded Kira Thalacker and Coco Heitmann of Owego, 6-4, 6-0. In the third-place singles matchup, the Tornado senior Kristi Orioli fell in a two-setter to Johnson City’s Tiffany Hamden, 6-4, 6-2.
As a consequence of the two losses, Norwich finished in third place behind champion Seton Catholic Central and runner-up Susquehanna Valley. “It wasn’t the storybook ending we were hoping for, but it was still a good run for our kids,” said Norwich coach John Stewart.
Orioli was tied with Hamden at 4-4 in the first set, but lost back-to-back deuce games to end the set. Hamden picked up at least two more deuce game points to close out the victory. “Kristi is the first Norwich girl in over 10 years to reach the sectional semifinals,” Stewart said. “That is a great accomplishment and she had a fantastic year. The other girl just played the big points a little better.”
Borfitz and Cashman’s loss was not nearly as lopsided as the final score indicates as deuce points decided a number of games, Stewart said. “It was by far the best doubles match of the tournament, and my girls really pushed them,” the NHS coach said. “You have to give the Owego kids credit. They’re good ball strikers, and they didn’t make any mistakes in the second set.”
The second-place finish for Borfitz and Cashman earned them a spot in the Section IV state qualifier. The Norwich duo play at the Binghamton Tennis Center Friday morning against the Class C champion.
BOYS SOCCER
Greene 2, Johnson City 1
GREENE - Greene was able to take the sting away from its loss at the end of last week, and can now head into the Section IV tournament with confidence after knocking off STAC representative Johnson City Monday.
Kurt Bartholomew and Alex Leone had goals for the Trojans, Leone’s coming on a set piece when he headed in younger brother Brian Leone’s cornerkick with just over 1 1/2 minutes expired in the second half. “This was a big win, and the reason I arranged this game was to spark us and get us going into sectionals,” said Greene coach Rick Tallman. “We’re happy to walk away with the victory. The kids all rose up, especially after the loss to Cincinnatus last week.”
Greene keeper Connor Moriarity made 12 saves, three of which were of high quality, Tallman said. The Trojans (13-2) are idle until the start of the Class C playoffs next week.
Summary
(1-0 Greene at half)
Goals-assists: (G) Kurt Bartholomew, 1-0; Alex Leone, 1-1; Brian Leone, 0-1. (JC) Clay Smith, 1-0.
Shots-corners: (G) 6-3, (JC) 15-3.
Saves: (G) Connor Moriarity, 12, (JC) Ryan Baileys, 3.
