SECTION IV FIELD HOCKEY: YOUNGSTERS SPARK TIOGA IN SEASON-OPENING, 5-0, WIN OVER MARATHON (24 PHOTOS) (September 2, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
TIOGA CENTER — Eighth-grader Ayla Gage and freshman Joslyn Brobst scored their first varsity goals in the 2 1/2 minutes of Tioga's season-opener to propel the Tigers to a 5-0 win over Marathon here Wednesday afternoon in Section IV, Division 3 field hockey action.

Tioga coach Aubrey Worthing said a practice with Owego help laid the groundworks for the win.

"We had a practice with Owego that helped us get our jitters out," she said. "We also made some positioning changes that helped us be successful today."

Worthing also said it was a good "team win."

"We had some great passing between our forwards today to keep the momentum and keep Marathon on their heels. 

"Our 8th-graders stepped up and gave us a solid mid field line," said Worthing. "They were aggressive and gave our forwards the chance to score.

"Cora Szymanski led the backfield," noted Worthing. "She is the eyes of the field, seeing the spaces and delivering great passes. 

"It was an all-around great game," added Worthing. "We played as a team, kept each other motivated, and wanted this win."

Tioga, which closed out last season with a 1-0 win over Newark Valley, has now won two in a row.

Gage scored just 64 seconds into her varsity career to give Tioga a 1-0 lead, and Brobst scored with 12:29 remaining in the first quarter to make it 2-0.

Sophomore Taylor Sindoni, off a feed from Kaylene Sindoni, scored with 2:28 remaining in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead heading into the halftime intermission.

Taylor Sindoni scored again, this time off a feed from Gage, about two minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 4-0.

Junior Aubrey Bennett, of Gage's second assist of the game, capped the scoring with 6:34 remaining in the contest.

Tioga had a 14-0 advantage in shots-on-goal, and a 13-0 edge in penalty corners.

Sophomore Vangie Decker did not face a shot-in-goal in net for the Tigers.

Tioga will return to action Friday in the opening round of the Tioga County Tournament at 11:30 a.m. SVEC will square off with Newark Valley at 10 a.m.

The consolation game is at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the championship game set for 11:30 a.m.

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IN TOP PHOTO: Tioga 8th-grader Ayla Gage. IN BOTTOM PHOTO: Tioga sophomore Taylor Sindoni. ... PHOTOS BY MICHAEL BELLIS.

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