On back-to-back nights in suburban Buffalo, the Bears got their wish.

Despite a 3-1 loss on Thursday night against Clarence, which followed a 3-0 defeat Wednesday against Grand Island, Stone remained upbeat.

“That was some good soccer,” Stone said. “Those are two of the toughest teams we’ve ever seen at the high school level.”

Clarence got on the scoreboard first Thursday when Abigail Bishara’s through-ball glanced off a Frewsburg defender and found the foot of Payton Payne.

Frewsburg’s Sam Annis plays a ball away from Clarence’s Laina Bockus during Thursday’s nonleague girls soccer game in Clarence. P-J photo by Matt Spielman

The Red Devils’ senior captain got loose for a mini breakaway and tucked a shot into the far side of the goal past Cadence Rodgers for a 1-0 lead at the 13:31 mark.

Clarence could’ve already had a lead by that point if not for the Bears’ senior keeper, who stopped a header off a corner kick in the 14th minute and also made a save on her near post in the 22nd minute.

Before the half was out, Rodgers was called upon again to make a save on a drive from the top of the 18-yard box in the 30th minute.

Down 1-0 at halftime, the Bears did not fold.

“We went in at halftime and we felt like we played a great first half. We felt like we were in the game,” Stone said. “We know all it takes is one set piece or one good run and we can get right back in it.”

In fact, they tied the game up with their first goal of the season very early in the second half.

Awarded a corner kick, last year’s Post-Journal Player of the Year, Alexandra Hultberg, curled a ball into the 6-yard box that eluded Clarence’s keeper and everybody else, eventually coming to rest in the far corner of the goal to tie the game.

“We win a corner, Alex steps up and curls it in, and we’re right back in the game,” Stone said. “You are trying to throw a dangerous ball. Is she necessarily trying to score? Probably not, but if you throw a dangerous ball, anything can happen. There was a bunch of traffic and she squeaked it in.”

With more than 38 minutes remaining, Frewsburg had life.

But the Red Devils almost immediately took the play to their offensive end of the field.

In the next eight minutes following the goal, Clarence unleased at least four shots that flew high of the goal above keeper Jacey Cappa, who took over for Rodgers at the break.

“Cadence had an injury. … At halftime it was to a point where she couldn’t go. Credit to Jacey Cappa. I didn’t have a plan for who was going to go in. … She’s not necessarily our backup goalie, but a lot of times I coach with my gut and my heart,” Stone said. ” … She stepped up big. We told the team it couldn’t be just on her. … She stepped up against a team that’s won eight straight AA championships.”

Eventually, with the Red Devils carrying much of the play, they broke through. With less than 26 minutes remaining, Kailey O’Brien — who had been putting pressure on the Frewsburg defense all night with her speed — got loose inside the 18-yard box and rolled one through a maze of players into the corner of the goal past a diving Cappa.

“I thought my defense stood tall and played one of the best games they’ve ever played. O’Brien, Shea Daigler and (Payton) Payne are three top-notch soccer players,” Stone said. “There is no speed that can match that down in the Southern Tier.”

With the Bears pushing for the equalizer late, Clarence found its final tally when Allison Greene sent a cross along the turf through the 6-yard box that found the foot of Gabrielle Irwin, who powered the ball home.

Losing to the Red Devils is nothing to be ashamed of for Frewsburg. Clarence has won eight straight Section VI Class AA titles, and during that time has appeared in four New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Fours.

And their 3-0 loss Wednesday was also respectable. Grand Island lost just two games in 2020 and outscored opponents, 71-13, in the process. The Vikings picked up their second win in Thursday’s 5 p.m. game when they beat Nichols, 7-1.

“I could not be more proud of my girls,” Stone said. “We stood tall and went toe-to-toe with them.”

If Frewsburg’s performance in its first two games is any indication, the Bears will likely be fine as they make their way through the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Central Division.

“We are excited to go back home and get into our local games,” Stone said. “I’m expecting a lot of goals from our offense very, very soon.”