Ithaca is lovely at this time of the year, after the leaves have changed colors to create a beautiful fall foliage, and just before that mid-November chill becomes a late-autumn freeze.
The Arlington girls soccer team visited the upstate town and dined there, then got a brief tour of the Ithaca College campus as coach Kelley Hunt regaled the group with some stories of her playing days there.
“We were able to enjoy the day and relax a little,” said Hunt, whose team is lodging this weekend in nearby Cortland. “We got to do some team bonding, and the girls really enjoyed each other’s company.”
That’s one of the benefits of playing your state semifinal game in the morning and having the afternoon clear. Well, so long as you won. That’s kind of important in this.
But the Admirals took care of that part with a dominant performance Saturday, making quick work of Section 2’s Saratoga Springs in a 5-0 win that advanced them to the Class AAA state final.
Madelyn Dwyer scored twice, Riley Pettigrew had two first-half assists, and the defense stifled their opponent as Arlington took control early and began pulling away before halftime.