FREDONIA, NY — Izzy Audette (Ballston Spa) and Gabby Alston (Niskayuna), both juniors at the State University of New York at Fredonia, have been named to the United Soccer Coaches Region III All Stars following a 10-7-3 season for the Fredonia State women’s soccer team. 

Izzy Audette. Photo provided. 

Audette, named to the Second Team, was also a First Team All SUNYAC selection. She was a Third Team All SUNYAC selection following the 2019 season. 

Alston, named to the Third Team, was also a Second Team All SUNYAC selection. She led the Blue Devils this season with seven goals, three being game-winning scores, and was second with three assists. 

“It is a well-deserved honor for both of them,” said Head Coach Chris Case. “They both had great seasons. Both of them have so much talent and it is great to see them display it each day throughout the Fall season.” 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs Varsity Ice Hockey’s season began this past weekend with the memorial Don Kauth Hockey Tournament. Saratoga fell to St. Mary’s, 2-5, on Saturday, Dec. 4 and fell to Williamsville North, 2-6, on Sunday, Dec. 5. 

Goals for the Blue Streaks versus St. Mary’s were scored by Jake Badar and Huck Patton; Ty Bolster recorded an assist. Goals for the Blue Streaks versus Williamsville North were scored by Payton Borak and
Matt Rissetto.

Between both games, Goalie Ryan McNeil had 51 saves – 24 against St. Mary’s and 27 against Williamsville North. 

Dec. 2 Highlights, Boys Grade 4/5 Division 

Henry Street Taproom: 30 
Points: Gavin Spickler 10, Cole Cefalu 6, Mason Veil 8, Hayden Sutliff 4, Ryland Marvin 2

Rebounds: Cole Cefalu 4, Gavin Spickler 2, James Hancock 2, Mason Veil 2, Hayden Sutliff 1, Ryland Marvin 1

Assists: Mason Veil 4, Cole Cefalu 2, Hayden Sutliff 1, Ryland Marvin 1 

AFSCO Fence: 16 
Points: Thomas Armstrong 6, Henry Root 4, Matthew Franck 2, John Franck 2, Owen DeMarco 2

Rebounds: John Franck 6, Thomas Armstrong 4, Owen DeMarco 4, Henry Root 3, Oscar London 3, Lucas Degonzague 2, Matthew Franck 1 

Assists: Matthew Franck 1, John Franck 1 

Dec. 4 Highlights, Boys Grade 4/5 Division 

AFSCO Fence: 16 
Points: Shiloh Parker 6, Owen DeMarco 6, Thomas Armstrong 2, John Franck 2

Rebounds: Owen DeMarco 5, John Franck 3, Shiloh Parker 2, Thomas Armstrong 2, Lucas Degonzague 2, Henry Root 1, Matthew Franck 1 

Assists: Thomas Armstrong 1 

Henry Street Taproom: 15
Points: Gavin Spickler 6, Cole Cefalu 5, Hayden Sutliff 2, James Hancock 2

Rebounds: Cole Cefalu 5, James Hancock 3, Hayden Sutliff 2, Gavin Spickler 1, Ethan Fournier 1, Nolan Frasier 1 

Assists: Gavin Spickler 1, Cole Cefalu 1, Hayden Sutliff 1 

Saints’ Season Opener 

Saratoga Central Catholic Girls Varsity Basketball Team started their season with a 52-43 win. They tipped off against Waterford on Friday, Dec. 3 in a Wasaren League matchup. 

The Saints had strong second and third quarters, scoring a combined 35 of their 52 points. Allison Motler was the lead scorer of the game with 17 points. Following her for the Saints were Ashley Upson and Katie Cronin both with 14 points. Cronin hit two threes for 6 of her 14 points. 

Leading the scoring for Waterford was Sophia Belonga with 13 points, followed by Maddy Atwood with 10, and Natalie Rich with 9. 

Saratoga Central Catholic v. Corinth 

Corinth defeated the Saints 72-32 in a home game for the Saints on Dec. 6. 

Ashely Upson was the lead scorer for Saratoga Central Catholic with 13 points. Allison Motler followed with 8 points, and Katie Cronin added 6. 

Emily Dingmon was the lead scorer of the game with 20 points. Also, for the Tomahawks, Maddie Delisle scored 17 points, and Alexis Crossman added 8. Each player for the Tomahawks scored at least one basket to contribute to their win. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Nov. 20, the Saratoga Springs Firefighters hosted the Saratoga Springs Police Benevolent Association in the annual Saratoga Springs Fire & Police Holiday Hockey Classic benefiting the Franklin Community Center. The PBA “Finest” was able to hold on to an early lead for a 9-6 win over the “Bravest.” 

The event was once again a great success as hundreds of toys were collected and will go directly to local families this Christmas season. 

As in years past, representatives from both the Fire and Police Departments loaded up a fire engine and multiple police patrol cars and paraded through Downtown Saratoga Springs spreading Christmas joy and delivering the toys to the Franklin Community Center. 

The toy delivery took place on Monday, Dec. 6 with an approximate delivery time of 11:30 a.m. at the Franklin Community Center. The fire engine and patrol cars were loaded with toys at the PBA Range on Weibel Avenue, from there they traveled down Lake Avenue to Broadway and from there to the Franklin Community Center. 

Welcome Dottie Pepper!

Thursday, December 9th, 1:00pm.

Book Reading and Signing “Letters to a Future Champion”

Dottie Pepper is a native Saratogian and is coming to visit us at the Senior Center. She is the lead walking reporter for CBS Sports’ coverage of the PGA Tour, Masters, and PGA Championship.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Coach Rich Johns recently visited with the Saratoga Recreation “Future Hoopers,” a group of 5- and 6-year-old beginners. Sharing the beautiful Starfish Story about making a difference, Coach presented two young hoopers with an AWRA Starfish Trophy. Giving back is the major focus for the AWRA Foundation. To learn more about AWRA go to www.actwithrespectalways.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Youth Hockey is in full swing here in Saratoga Springs, as players rush in and out of the Weibel Ave. Rink on Saturday morning. The sound of sticks mashing together and pucks hitting the back of the net can be heard echoing throughout the rink. The colors of White and Blue streak across the ice, as youth skaters are warming up.

Another session of the Junior Rangers Youth Hockey is underway and today players will get to interact and learn from Rangers Alumni, Brian Mullen. It’s one thing to see a professional hockey game, but to have the chance to work 1 on 1 and in groups with a former professional hockey player is an incredible experience.

The Junior Rangers Program was created by nonprofit and volunteer run Saratoga Youth Hockey to get more kids skating and involved in the next level of play. By partnering with the New York Rangers, kids get professional instruction alongside Rangers staff and even get to meet Rangers alumni. The program spans for 10 weeks, where your child will learn the basic skills of skating, stick-handling, passing, and shooting. Learn to skate numbers in the last two years have continued to grow at a steady rate making the Junior Rangers vital for skaters wanting to get into the sport of hockey after learning how to skate. It is also the perfect place to start if you have a daughter who’s interested in trying the sport of hockey. Saratoga Youth Hockey President, Rodney Eddy, expressed that the number of girls enrolling in the program continues to grow every year and that the goal is to form as many girls teams as possible.

Oftentimes parents can feel overwhelmed when wanting to get their child gear and skates to begin playing hockey. Saratoga Youth Hockey wanted to make getting the right gear as easy as possible, so they partnered with Pure Hockey to help parents out. When you pay the $250 registration fee, it includes a brand new set of head to toe CCM hockey gear that’s custom fitted, ordered, and shipped to your door by Pure Hockey. The jerseys and gear alone will have your child feeling like they are a part of the New York Rangers.

Safety continues to be a top priority for Saratoga Youth Hockey, as they continue to follow all protocols put together by the “Intent to Play’’ committee, which was created Spring 2020 to ensure the safety of all players, parents, and coaches. This way all kids can still play with the lowest risk possible.

The next 10 week session begins January 8 and sign ups are going on right now.

To register, or if you have questions, go to www.nhl.com/rangers/community/junior-rangers-rookie-series or email learntoskatelearntoplaysyhi@gmail.com

TROY — After a one-year hiatus due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 5,471 runners from 30 states returned to the streets of Troy on Thanksgiving morning to celebrate the 105th anniversary (74th running) of the Troy Turkey Trot, presented by Pioneer. 

Under partly sunny skies and with temperatures hovering in the low 30s, America’s 12th oldest road race kicked off with the Capital Region’s only 10K. James Anderson (of Rochester, NY) outpaced 1,100 rivals on the flat, out-and-back course to win the prestigious crown and earn a $300 first place check. Former University at Albany distance runner Cara Sherman, 24, the event’s 2019 champion, was the first female finisher. Sherman, who also took home $300, had been red hot this fall. She finished second at the Freihofer’s Run for Women 5K (17:14), first overall at the Boilermaker 5K (17:05), and won the women’s title Nov. 14 at the Stockade-athon 15K (54:24). 

“The Turkey Trot has become much more than just a foot race,” said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden. “It’s a celebration of our City’s history and holiday traditions, a way to support local charities that help local families in need, and an opportunity for residents and visitors to once again make Troy part of their annual holiday traditions. I was delighted to welcome everyone back to the Collar City this Thanksgiving for another safe, fun. family-filled event and look forward to another successful event in 2022.” 

Following the conclusion of the 10K, 422 children slapped on their own race numbers for the Grade School Mile, a fun chip-timed event for children in the 8th grade and below. They were followed to the start line by 415 participants in the one-mile Turkey Walk, a leisurely stroll past some of the finest 19th century architecture in the country. 

As ovens began warming in kitchens across the region, 3,163 runners toed the line for the 5K, the Trot’s most popular race. Many wore colorful costumes as part of the event’s costume contest, which offered prizes for Best Thanksgiving Day Costume and the Most Unique Costume. Alex Hislop (of Clifton Park, NY) was the first male to cross the finish line at Monument Square. Female bragging rights went to Danielle Jordan (of Seattle, WA). Each won $300. 

Giving back to the less fortunate remains central to the Trot’s mission. Supported by a $2,500 donation from the Pioneer Foundation, Trotters gave more than $18,500 to the event’s two primary charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter, a Troy-based not-for-profit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Both charities have experienced 40-50% increase in people seeking assistance since the start of the pandemic. 

“I really didn’t know what to expect today in terms of our turnout,” said Event Director George Regan, noting that 300 participants took part in the Trot’s virtual options. “Some races have been doing really well and others less so in terms participation. To welcome 83% percent of our 2019 field (6,405) shows me that this event is very much alive and well. People still want to come together to get exercise and burn off some calories before their big meal later in the day!” 

For results, finisher certificates, and photos, visit www.TroyTurkeyTrot.com. 

Troy Turkey Trot sponsors include Pioneer Bank, Wm. J. Fagan & Sons, Capital Region Honda Dealers, Lamar Advertising, and Choice Physical Therapy. 

SCHUYLERVILLE — Schuylerville had a 42-15 win over Dobbs Ferry in the state semifinals on Nov. 27. The Black Horses will head to the Class C state championship superbowl on Friday, Dec. 3, 6pm at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, where they will face Section 4’s Chenango Forks. 

Schuylerville kept Dobbs Ferry off the board in the first quarter, while also managing to score three TDs. R. Dow scored on a 15 yd. TD run (kick failed) and a 36 yd. TD run (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman to Ollie Bolduc), and O. Sherman connected with Ollie Bolduc on a 44 yd. TD pass (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman). 

Dobbs Ferry got the scoring started in the second quarter with a 71 TD pass from J. Williams to J. Almaras (kick good). L. Sherman scored twice on TD runs for the Black Horses, one for 7 yds. (2 pt. conversion completed by Dow) and one for 2 yds. (2 pt. conversion completed by L. Sherman to Otto Bolduc). 

 Schuylerville added to their lead in the second half after L. Sherman’s 9 yd. TD run in the third quarter (2 pt. conversion completed by O. Sherman to Otto Bolduc), and Ollie Bolduc’s 1 yd. TD run in the fourth quarter (2 pt. conversion unsuccessful). Dobbs scored once more, in the fourth quarter, off R. Sanzo’s 64 yd. TD run (kick good). 

Schuylerville had 491 total yds.; 422 rushing. Lead rushers for the Black Horses were L. Sherman with 15 carries for 143 yds. and 3 TDs, O. Sherman with 7 carries for 94 yds., and Dow with 10 carries for 91 yds. and 2 TDs. Ollie Bolduc had 1 rushing TD. 

Passing, QB O. Sherman was 4 for 4 for 69 yds. Receiving, Ollie Bolduc caught 1 pass for 44 yds, Dow caught 2 passes for 14 yds., and L. Sherman caught 1 pass for 11 yds. 

On defense, C. Patrick, J. McGarrahan, and A. Prouty combined for 2 sacs. S. Stiassney had an interception. 

Dobbs Ferry had 366 total yds.; 188 rushing. Top rushers for Dobbs were Sanzo with 16 carries for 109 yds. and 1 TD, and B. Holman with 8 carries for 33 yds. 

QB Williams was 8 for 15 for 178 yds, 1 interception, and 1 TD. Sanzo had 4 receptions for 79 yds., Almaras had 1 reception for 71 yds. and 1 TD, and Holman had 3 receptions for 28 yds.