Which defense will crack first?
The Schenevus and McGraw girls soccer teams have each allowed two goals this season _ and each have 17 shutouts.
So, when the two meet in a Class D state quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Saturday at the National Soccer Hall of Fame fields, something has to give. Maybe.
"What I was looking at _ this is the outside looking in and just watching 80 minutes _ I told my girls if we take a snapshot of ourselves and flip it over to the other page, that's who we're playing," said McGraw coach Dave Law, whose 19-0 Eagles are ranked first in the state in Class D. "We have a pretty good defense and we played some pretty good teams."
Law said he saw the Dragons play once this season _ their 2-0 victory over then top-ranked Davenport in the Section Four Class D final last Saturday at the Soccer Hall fields. Davenport reached the final by knocking off 2008 Class D co-state champion Edmeston, upping the Wildcats' unbeaten streak to 39 games. Schenevus split with Edmeston this season, following a 2-1 Tri-Valley League loss with a 1-0 victory over the Panthers in the crossover championship.
Schenevus coach Stephanie Banks said she watched McGraw beat Remsen, 3-0, in the Section Three final.
"The way they play defense is a lot different," said Banks, whose sixth-ranked team is 17-1. "It also could have been the style of Remsen. It looked to me that (McGraw) plays a double sweeper, which leaves your front line open. It's hard to tell with one game. Remsen didn't seem to give them much trouble. (Remsen) really didn't have many opportunities."
McGraw won its first Section Three title since 2006, when it went on to beat Milford, 2-1, in a state quarterfinal. The Eagles won the Class D state championship in 2004, a run fueled by a 5-3 quarterfinal victory over Davenport.
Schenevus is in the state tournament for the first time since 2000, a season that ended for the Dragons with a 1-0 loss to St. Johnsville in the Class D state final.
Law said both teams have strong offensive players, but the outcome probably won't hinge on which takes the most shots.
"I think it's going to be not how many shots on goal but the quality shots on goal," Law said. "We have some real heavy-duty scorers up front. All three have good left and right feet. ... I know that Schenevus has a couple of key players who can shoot left or right, so we will have to push them outside.
"It will come down to quality shots," he continued. "It's not speed because we both have speed. People will be marked. It will be fun to watch. Even though we are D schools, it will be fun to watch."
McGraw seems to be the complete package as its stifling defense is complemented by an offense that has scored 108 goals. Senior Kierra Mack leads the team with 28 goals and nine assists, followed by senior Nicole Law (Dave's daughter) with 27 goals and 15 assists. Sophomore Kaitelyn Leonard has 19 goals and 19 assists.
Schenevus has outscored its opponents, 49-2, this season.
"I really don't feel like we're facing a Kori Hamm (Edmeston), Jackie Gilley (Davenport) or Laura Potter (Gilboa), where we have to key on one player," Banks said. "Were not looking for a defensive strategy rather than just play good defense. We had plans for them."
Senior Jessica Bentley leads the Dragons with 14 goals and eight assists. Brina Herr has 11 goals and seven assists. Herr scored one goal in the sectional final against Davenport and both in a 2-0 sectional semifinal victory over Gilboa.
Cassandra Brown has eight goals and five assists for Schenevus, which has received seven goals and two assists from Bentley’s sister Sierra, an eighth-grader.
"We are anticipating to win states," Herr said following Schenevus' victory over Davenport. "We think we are capable. We just have to stay positive and keep finishing. I think all we have to do is keep scoring and work on the little stuff on the field."
Both teams have quality senior sweepers in Schenevus' Jayme Bentley _ Jessica's twin _ and McGraw's Jenna Tobias, as well as solid junior goalies in the Dragons' Catherine Hernandez and the Eagles' Hayley MacLean.
"We're going to have to play our game and play at the level we played at against Davenport and against Gilboa and against Edmeston in the (T-V) crossover," Banks said. "We have to play at the level we're playing. ... It has to be placement and power on Saturday when it comes to shooting."
In the end, this game could come down to which team settles in the fastest.
"I do predict a lot of play at half field," Banks said. "Usually my kids know girls on the other team and what their skill set is. It's going to be one of those where they'll get tested and we'll test them.
"Your offense is generated from defense," she continued. "It will probably come down to whose defensive game is better and that will generate your offense."
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P.J. Harmer can be reached at pharmer@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 229.
