By PAUL GOTHAM
When Section V announced the combining of A1 and A2 into a single class earlier this season, the coordinators could have only hoped for a matchup among two of the top seeds. That’s what they will get when top-seeded Churchville-Chili (17-2-0/NYSSWA No. 3) and third-seeded Brighton (15-4-0/No. 15 NYSSWA) meet Tuesday night with the Class A crown up for grabs.
Both squads won league titles (Churchville-Chili took Monroe County Division II, Brighton claimed the Monroe County Division III title). Both finished the regular season shutting out their last three opponents. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS vs. No. 3 seed BRIGHTON BARONS 5 PM Spencerport Central Schools
How they got here: Churchville (No. 6 NYSSWA) opened with a 13-0 win over No. 16 seed East before beating ninth-seeded Pittsford-Mendon, 3-1. The Saints outlasted fourth-seeded Wayne in the semifinals, 3-2.
Brighton (No. 14 NYSSWA) beat No. 14 Aquinas, 4-0 and knocked off divisional rival Pittsford Sutherland, 3-1. The Barons then edged second-seeded Spencerport, 1-0 in the semifinals.
Total goals scored: Churchville (77), Brighton (51).
Total goals allowed: Churchville (14), Brighton (20).
Last time they met in the postseason: Churchville beat Brighton, 3-0 in the 2014 A1 quarterfinals.
VIEW MORE MIKE GENTILE PHOTOS HERE.
Trends: Churchville has won eight straight by a combined score of 42-6. Of their two losses this season, one came to Hilton (currently No. 8 NYSSWA Class AA) in their season opener, 2-0. Brighton has won seven straight. Their last loss was at the hands of that same Hilton squad, 3-2. All four of Brighton’s setbacks have been by one goal – two of which occurred on penalty kicks in overtime.
Names to know: Churchville-Chili – Mario Cozzo (12 goals, nine assists), Colby Egan (13 goals, 10 assists), Vinnie Mathias (five goals, one assist), Seamus Parker (four goals, 13 assists), Chase Richardson (975 minutes played, 12 goals allowed), Dylan Rippe (19 goals, 10 assists) and Andrew Vannest (12 goals, 11 assists).
Brighton – Gabriel Barraclough-Tan (eight goals, three assists), Christian Burkhart (four goals scored, 65 saves, 18 goals allowed), Caio De Medeiros (eight goals, 10 assists), Nico Leone (two goals, four assists), Connor McQuillan (10 goals, seven assists), Mat Ochs (two goals, eight assists), Sam O’Connor (10 goals, three assists) and Theo Viggiani-Cole (one goal, two assists).
VIEW MORE SUE KANE PHOTOS HERE.
Coaches: John Mahoney (Churchville-Chili), Adam Hiller (Brighton).
History 101: Churchville is looking for its first sectional title since taking the Class BB crown in 1990. The Saints last reached the finals in 2013 when they lost to Fairport in the AA championship game, 2-0. Brighton fell to Brockport, 2-1 in the 2017 A1 title game. The Barons most recent sectional championship came in 2012 when they won Class A1.
VIEW MORE MIKE GENTILE PHOTOS HERE.
What they’re saying: John Mahoney – “I’m looking forward to it because they’re an excellent soccer team. We’re both going to move the ball around. They’ve had a great season. We’ve had a great season.
Adam Hiller – “Should be a great game. They are well coached, physical and deserved the No. 1 seed. We are excited for the chance.”
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