A little more than a month later, on the afternoon of Nov. 14, both won sectional championships.

But that’s where their seasons came to an end.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association had long before canceled any competition outside of Section VI, including Far West Regionals, state semifinals and state finals due to the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

Frewsburg had to settle for its second straight Section VI Class C title and Class B Southwestern basked in the glory of the program’s first sectional title.

Tyra Clark will be one of 11 seniors playing for Frewsburg this fall. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

Now, nine months later, both programs have their eyes on a greater prize.

The Bears will run out 17 returning players, including 11 seniors, next Wednesday when they take on Class A1 Grand Island in a season-opening showcase at Clarence. The next night, Frewsburg coach Scott Stone’s team will take on the host Red Devils, winners of eight straight Class AA championships.

“We’ve always said we’ve wanted to play the best, and (Clarence is) the best. We are not shying away from it. We’re extremely excited to go up there and see how we match up with the best of Section VI,” Stone said Tuesday evening. “A team like that, I wouldn’t say you necessarily have to beat them to be successful, but make no mistake about it, we are absolutely going up there to win that game.

“I don’t think there will be a team, no matter how far we go, that can match up with Clarence,” Stone added. ” … There is no debate, that is the best team in Section VI.”

The Trojans will open next Thursday at home against Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association West Division rival Falconer/Cassadaga Valley at 7 p.m. under the lights at Charles A. Lawson Field.

2020 Post-Journal Girls Soccer Player of the Year Alex Hultberg works with teammate Tyra Clark during Frewsburg girls soccer practice Tuesday in Frewsburg. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

Two nights later, Southwestern and Frewsburg will match up for the first of two nonleague battles.

“We feel like we are a stronger team this year than last year,” Stone said.

While the Bears lost Ava Hultberg, Madison Voty and Madison Caflisch to graduation, they return the nucleus of their 17-0-0 team that outscored opponents 66-6, including a 3-0 shutout of Chautauqua Lake in the Class C title game.

Post-Journal Player of the Year Alex Hultberg, now a junior, led the team with 16 goals while Tyra Clark, now a senior, added 13. Nine of the 12 Frewsburg girls who found the back of the net last season return.

“From the day Alex got that award, we’ve talked about that being last year’s award. … This is a new year. She’s looking to have an even better season,” Stone said, adding about Clark, who transferred from Randolph prior to last season, “She is smiling and talking. She is absolutely a different kid from the day she stepped out here last year.”

Southwestern teammates Kaylyn Carnes and Brynne Conley battle for possession during practice Tuesday at Charles A. Lawson Field. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

Also back in front of senior goalkeeper Cadence Rodgers is a starting four defensive backfield of Peyton Yost, Jacey Cappa, Reagan Chitester and Rachael Kehrli, who at one point last season were part of 10 straight shutouts.

“This is their third year together and there is a sense of familiarity, but we have some young defensive backs — Gracie Conlan and Addison Hultberg — who are hungry to play, too,” Stone said. “We have a lot of flexibility. We don’t have to keep those four on the field for 80 minutes anymore.”

Southwestern also returns a majority of its sectional championship team.

Gone are leading-scorer Allison Lundmark and center-forward Cora Casselman as well as starting defenders Sydney Segrue and Kylee Dibble.

“Allison gets a lot of the notoriety and deservingly so,” Trojans head coach Derek Houser said Tuesday, ” … but we have a lot of quality players back.”

The cupboard is by no means bare. Brynne Conley led the Trojans in scoring last season as a junior with 13 goals.

“Brynne was able to do a lot of things. She has an incredible shot,” Houser said. “You are really starting to see her turn the corner. She’s very capable of having another year like that, if not building upon that.”

Sophia Segrue also had seven goals while Emily Kimball, Lexi Lundmark, Mia Turnbull and Ellie Lawton each added multiple tallies.

“Melissa DeVore is going to get an opportunity to help our attack this year,” Houser said. “(Sophia) Segure came on late as a freshman last year. She’s poised to have a big year.”

Returning in net for her second year on the pitch is sophomore goalkeeper Reece Beaver, who allowed just 11 goals and made 66 saves last fall.

“When you think about what she was able to do with minimal training last year … now she’s been getting coached up on the finer traits of goaltending,” Houser said. “She’s so amazing to work with, so driven, so focused and asks unbelievably intelligent questions.”

Frewsburg got a taste of regional play in 2019 when it lost to Chloe DeLyser-led Marion of Section V at Williamsville East High School.

Southwestern didn’t get that taste last fall.

Now, both are hoping to get to the next level.

“For the returning group, they want to prove it wasn’t one and done,” Houser said. “It’s not a one-hit wonder. This program is here to stay.”

“We are looking to get to a state championship,” Stone said. ” … If we are afforded that opportunity this year, we are going to take full advantage.”