Friday, Oct. 16, 2015: Poland's Blumenstock scores 200th career goal

   Leading off today: Entering this season, only two players in the history of New York girls high school soccer had reached 200 career goals. On Thursday, the milestone was reached for the third time in little more than a month.

   Mikayla Blumenstock connected three times to lift Poland to a 6-1 victory over Remsen in a Center State Conference game, raising her total to exactly 200. The fifth-year varsity player has 39 goals for the season. Her career high was 49 a year ago.

   Buffalo City Honors senior Molly Petrucci became the state's all-time leader in goals last month when she scored her 209th goal. Two weeks ago, Queensbury senior Brittany La Plant joined her in the 200 club.

   The 2015 trio joins Kaitlin Robbins (208 goals for Watertown IHC through 2007) and Stephanie Karst (201 for Hinsdale through 2003) in the 200 club.

   Thursday turned out to be quite a day for milestone achievements in the sport.

   Williamsville East junior Marissa Birzon struck three times in a 6-1 win over Lake Shore to hit 100 for her career. Gretta Dry of Lockport tallied five times in a 7-3 win over Niagara Falls while also reaching 100 for her career.

   Streak intact: The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake girls volleyball team strung together 17 points in each game en route to sweeping Mohonasen and wrapping up its 28th consecutive Suburban Council division championship.

   Natalie Schurman, Natalie Albright and Kiera Walsh served during the 17-point runs that highlighted the Spartans' 24-4, 25-3, 25-11 victory.

   Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake improved to 14-0 in the league and 24-1 overall. They have won 375 straight league matches going back to 1990.

   MRSA case reported: One member of the Marlboro JV football team has an antibiotic-resistant skin infection and a second player has symptoms, according to a letter the superintendent sent to parents.

   The Times Herald-Record reported the letter said the infection confirmed in the one player is a case methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The germ is resistant to some antibiotics, but can be treated with others, according to Superintendent Michael Brooks. The second player's illness has yet to be confirmed as MRSA.

   The school has done additional cleaning in response to the reported illnesses.

   "We want to assure you we are doing all that is necessary to provide a safe and healthy school environment for our students and staff. We are working proactively across the entire district to address this issue in a preventive manner," Brooks wrote.

   Injury doesn't end QB's work: The present abruptly gave way to the future last month at Beaver River, where two-

RoadToSyracuse.com football site

year starting quarterback Reed Murphy tore up a knee. The ligament damage -- three tears -- will require surgery later this month, but the senior hasn't stepped away from football.

   The Daily Times reports Murphy remains active by mentoring eighth-grader QB Matthew Middleton, who has helped the Beavers to a 4-2 record in Section 3's National Football Foundation division.

   "I'm helping him with footwork, pretty much teaching him everything I've been taught over the years, really taking him under my wing," Murphy said. "He's got a bright future ahead of him."

   Middleton's first start was a 32-0 victory vs. Hannibal, and the team followed that up with a 36-21 win over New York Mills. Across those two games, Middleton threw for four touchdowns and only one interception.

   "It's surreal," said Middleton. "It was nerve-wracking at first, but the support of the guys has really helped me a lot."

   Said Murphy: "He's lacking arm strength, but he's in eighth grade so that's going to come in time when he gets bigger and taller. He's a smart kid, a smart quarterback. He's starting to get the offense, feel it out. Obviously, we're not doing as many runs with the quarterback; he's not pulling the ball in read options as much, but he's really stepping up, getting to know the guys and getting a lot more comfortable out there."