No. 1 McQuaid and No. 14 Hilton to decide Class AA title

By PAUL GOTHAM

The forecast calls for temperatures to dip into the lows 40s. The play should be anything but chilly when the McQuaid Jesuit Knights (18-0-0), ranked No. 1 NYS Class AA, and the Hilton Cadets (14-3-1), No. 14 NYS Class AA, meet on the turf at Spencerport Central Schools, Tuesday night to decide the Section V champion.

At first glance, McQuaid should dominate this match. The Knights have scored 87 goals to 32 for the Cadets. But don’t be fooled. Hilton’s offense has forced 95 corner kicks to McQuaid’s 61. The Cadets can control tempo just as well as the top-seeded Knights.

But those two offenses were limited to a combined three markers in their semi-final wins. Adriano Margiotta converted a free kick in McQuaid’s 1-0 victory over No. 5 seed Webster Thomas while an own goal and Justin Arilotta provided the difference in Hilton’s 2-0 triumph over No. 6 seed Rush-Henrietta.

Neither McQuaid’s Nino Pilato nor Hilton’s Mike Ellicott will submit their semi-final game tapes for top performances.

Thomas consistently clogged the 18-yard box with nine defenders. The Titans defensive transition proved worthy of slowing McQuaid’s prolific offense. Facing Monroe County Division I foe, R-H for the third time this season, Ellicott’s Cadets struggled to find offensive rhythm and frequently looked rushed on offense.

This bodes well for local soccer aficionados. Both squads are due for a good game.

Unlike any other lineup in Section V, Hilton has the individual skill and talent to match McQuaid. The Knights’ defensive backline of Alex Reale, Dylan Duffy, Quinn Minich and Mike Reidman will be tested by the likes of Hilton’s Justin Arilotta, Joshua Ranke and Evan Pirnie.

Which team wins the midfield matchup could decide the outcome. Hilton’s Evan Malta and Adam Wuest bring a combination of skill and physical presence unlike any other McQuaid has seen in Section V this season.  Margiotta and Nick Pierleoni will find tighter spaces in which to work. How the McQuaid duo handles the challenge will be an early indicator.

McQuaid’s Dominic Duncan, Justin LaFountain and Dan Malloy have combined to score 42 goals this season. Duncan has not found the back of the net in the last five games. McQuaid’s senior attacker has been a facilitator late in the season. He could be ready for a breakout. Hilton’s defensive crew of Tom Callery, Aaron Masters, Ryan Petitti and David Stirpe does not get enough credit.

VIEW MORE CHRIS ROACH PHOTOS HERE. 

McQuaid’s Tommy Gallina leads Section V with a goals against average of 0.089. The senior goalkeeper has allowed just one goal – a penalty kick against Canisius (VI). Hilton’s Joey Gombatto ranks ninth in Section V at 0.883.

Bundle up. Bring your mittens and a hat. This one could go a while.

Names to Know: McQuaid – Brennan Brown (five goals, 10 assists), Dylan Duffy (four goals, six assists), Dominic Duncan (16 goals, eight assists), Tommy Gallina (leads Section V with a 0.089 GAA), Justin LaFountain (15 goals, five assists), Dan Malloy (11 goals, eight assists), Adriano Margiotta (11 goals, 14 assists), Quinn Minich (Sr. sweeper), Nick Pierleoni (three goals, five assists) and Alex Reale (Sr. stopper).

Hilton – Justin Arilotta (seven goals, four assists), Tom Callery (one goal, one assist), Joey Gombatto (0.883 GAA), Noah Malta (three goals), Evan Pirnie (10 goals, 11 assists), Joshua Ranke (three goals, three assists), David Stirpe (one goal, one assist) and Adam Wuest (one goal, two assists).

A 7:30 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.

CLASS A REGIONAL QUALIFIER

Brockport (16-2-1/No. 6 NYS Class A) vs. Pittsford Sutherland (11-7-1/No. 13 NYS Class A)

When: Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Where: Spencerport Central Schools

Names to know: Brockport – Tyler Daly (four goals, two assists), Vander Hart (five goals, six assists), Zachary Langelotti (15 goals, six assists), Ben Leach (six goals, 12 assists), Michael Rennie (one goal, six assists), Peyton Young (1.245 GAA), Colby Wharram (eight goals, one assist) and Zach Wharram (16 goals, 10 assists).

VIEW MORE JODI ZUROWSKI PHOTOS HERE.

Pittsford Sutherland – Will Bowen (four goals, four assists), Will Graupman (one goal, four assists), Dylan Kladstrup (four goals, one assist), Ryan Morabito (Sr. defender), John Mozrall (15 goals, eight assists), Alex Oleyourryk (1.143 GAA), Aaron Onoff (three assists) and Liam Wilmot (seven goals, two assists).

CLASS B REGIONAL QUALIFIER

Livonia (16-3-0/No. 6 NYS Class B) vs. School #58/World of Inquiry (13-5-0/No. 11 NYS Class B)

When: Wednesday, 5 p.m.

Where: Avon

Names to know: Livonia – Kyle Feldman (27 goals, 11 assists), Tavian Hino (23 goals, six assists) and Barrett Lowe (0.711 GAA).

School #58/World of Inquiry – Ayub Jelani (21 goals, 12 assists), Emmanuel Nsengiyumva (15 goals, 15 assists) and Suheil Jeylani (eight goals and two assists).

VIEW MORE CHRISTOPHER CECERE PHOTOS HERE.

CLASS C REGIONAL QUALIFIER

Byron-Bergen/Elba (17-1-1/No. 1 NYS Class C) vs. Bishop Kearney (13-5-1/No. 6 NYS Class C)

When: Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Avon

Names to know: Byron-Bergen/Elba – Kylar Chambry (24 goals, 12 assists), Wade Thompson (14 goals, 21 assists) and Brandon Kropf (0.5o6 GAA).

Bishop Kearney – TJ Tytler (13 goals, two assists), Jordan Freed (nine goals, four assists) and David Tierney (1.088 GAA).

CLASS D REGIONAL QUALIFIER

Mount Morris (16-2-2/No. 5 NYS Class D) vs. Belfast (18-1-0/No. 2 NYS Class D) 

When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Where: Houghton College

Names to Know:  Mount Morris – Colin Brickwood (30 goals, six assists), Collin Young (12 goals, 14 assists), Josh Hart (five goals, 12 assists) and Nick Torcello ( 1.218 GAA).

Belfast – Adam Enders (36 goals, 14 assists), McKenzie Cox (nine goals, seven assists) and Hunter Enders (six goals, six assists)