Batavia falls in season opener

By: Jonpaul D'Agostino

BATAVIA, N.Y. --- The Batavia Blue Devils varsity boys' soccer team hosted the Avon Braves in their season opener. The young Blue Devils team got off to a slow start, as they fell to the Braves 3-0.

Avon (White) and Batavia (Blue) pregame. Photo Credits: Jonpaul D'Agostino/89.1 the Point

"Last season, we lost a lot of seniors. I think we had, like 10, so for a lot of these guys it's their first varsity game," Batavia defender Will Fulton said. "So, we're just looking for them to gain experience, and once they get used to the game, then they'll start doing great."

Down 1-0 after a corner kick by Avon the Blue Devils tried to keep the game close, but the Braves had other plans. Avon wing Joshua Harter was able to get his feet on the ball and sent a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal making it a 2-0 lead, 23:05 into the game and made it an uphill battle for Batavia.

The first half was the most eventful scoring wise. Avon scored two of their three goals within the first 40. Batavia tried to keep up with multiple shots on goal but were unable to get a score in the first and swing momentum their way.

"We just came together and said we had to go hard," Fulton said, "A lot in the first half, we were kind of asleep out there. So, we just said we have to get out to every ball, and it started to look better for us in the second half."

Batavia regaining possession. Photo Credits: Jonpaul D'Agostino/89.1 the Point

The second half was much of the same. The Blue Devils kept their effort offensively and were tough defensively but were unable to get any points on the board. Avon midfielder Trevor Stroud put the game away with a shot that hit the crossbar and down into the goal, increasing the lead to three-nil with 28 minutes left to go.

"We're always looking to improve," Batavia midfielder Gavynn Trippany said. "It was the first game, and we're getting into it. We got a long season ahead of us, so there's always a lot of room for improvement."

Avon's Joshua Harter breaking free from Batavia's defense on 9/4/24. Photo Credits: Jonpaul D'Agostino/89.1 the Point

The Blue Devils fall to 0-1 on the season and look to right their wrongs as a unit against their next opponent, as they host the Pittsford Mendon Vikings. First kick is scheduled for Saturday, September 7 at 11:30 a.m.