Albion hosts Greece Odyssey on Tuesday in nonleague opener
Journal-Register
Monday, August 30, 2026

Last fall was a breakthrough season for the Albion girls varsity soccer team, as the Purple Eagles captured their first Niagara-Orleans League championship.

This season, with a large contingent of veterans, the Purple Eagles are taking aim at not only repeating as N-O champions but challenging for the Section VI Class A title.

The Purple Eagles will begin tuning up for their Sept. 7 home N-O opener against Newfane by hosting Greece Odyssey at 1 p.m. Tuesday and Livonia at 1 p.m. Friday.

“This is a special group,” Albion coach Rob Kania said. “We’ve got good experience back, the girls are excited, and we’re looking to build on last year. I expect us to be one of the top teams in Class A. We wanted to challenge ourselves in the nonleague games, and these two games will let us know where we stand.”

Two returning first team N-O All-League honorees, senior forward Kylie Armstrong and junior defender Shardae Hadick, anchor the lineup for Albion. Armstrong, a three-time first team N-O and two-time All-Western New York honoree, netted 26 goals last season to up her career total to 93.

The Purple Eagles also return several other starters including senior midfielder Natalie Bokman, junior midfielder Catherine DiBella and junior forward Lisa Skrypnik. DiBella earned second team All-League honors.

Also returning from last year’s varsity squad are senior defenders Katon McKenna, Jamie Hill, Sarah Brown and Jessica Marek along with senior midfielder/sweeper Kasie Chappius.

Juniors Caitlin Cooley and Madyson Lubba are vying for the starting goalie position.

The Purple Eagles squad also includes juniors Beth Smith and Abby Schuck at midfield along with Liz Palmiotto, Megan Eisermann, Claire Albertson and Liz Lyman on defense.

Rounding out the squad are sophomores Kit Lyman and Chelsea Bokman at midfield and Madeline Bensley at forward.

“On offense and midfield, we have plenty of depth with five three-year players and the kids we have coming up from the JV are solid,” Kania said. “Once we find our goalie, I think we’ll jell. These kids are committed.”

Albion posted a 10-2 N-O record last fall and finished with an overall mark of 15-5.
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