By PAUL GOTHAM
A pair of inter-divisional matchups highlight the semifinal round of Section V Class A1 boys’ soccer. Top-seeded Spencerport and third-seeded Churchville-Chili represent Monroe County Division II taking on Division III representatives second-seeded Greece Athena and fourth-seeded Greece Arcadia. Brockport Central Schools provide the setting for the contests scheduled to kick off Tuesday evening at 5:30 PM. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed SPENCERPORT RANGERS (14-2-1/Monroe County Division II) vs. No. 4 seed GREECE ARCADIA TITANS (11-6-0/Monroe County Division III)
How they got here: Spencerport opened sectional play with a 7-nil win over ninth-seeded Canandaigua in the quarterfinals. Greece Arcadia beat fifth-seeded Wilson Magnet, 4-1.
Total goals scored: Spencerport (59), Greece Arcadia (43)
Total goals allowed: Spencerport (7), Greece Arcadia (21)
Last time they met: Cooper LaValley converted a penalty kick, and Arcadia snapped the Rangers’ 10-game win streak with a 1-nil win on October 5th in the championship game of Spencerport’s annual Broadbent-Selander Tournament.
Trends: Spencerport has won won back-to-back games and is undefeated in their past five. Arcadia has won three of four.
Names to know: Spencerport – Max LaRosa (Sr. midfielder 17 goals/4 assists), Jacob Lenhard (So. midfielder 13 goals/11 assists), Gianni Pellett (Jr. attack 7 goals), Sujan Rajamohan (So. outside back), Greg Ranieri (Sr. midfielder 7 goals/12 assists), Jadon Schlierf (Sr. goalkeeper 1,336 minutes played/4 goals allowed/59 saves), Patrick Uebelacker (Jr. center back) and Frants Valodzka (Sr. outside back 4 goals/8 assists).
Greece Arcadia – Dino Begovic (Jr. midfielder 3 goals/1 assist), Camden Englert (Sr. midfielder 3 goals/8 assists), Adam Hurlbutt (Jr. center back 1 goal/1 assist), Cooper LaValley (Sr. attacker 14 goals/2 assists), Aidan Lewandowski (So. midfielder 5 goals/8assists), Taber Monks (Sr. attacker 3 goals/2 assists), Elvir Odzakovic (Fr. back 2 goals/2 assists), Lorenzo Ramos-Chavez (So. outside back) and Gabe Taylor (So. goalkeeper).
Coaches: Jody Wyant (Spencerport), Matt Vergamini (Greece Arcadia).
History 101: Spencerport (No. 13 NYSSWA Class A) is looking to reach the finals for the first time since 2012. The Rangers won the Class AA2 title that year, their third straight title. Arcadia last reached the championship in 2016.
A 5:30 PM kickoff is scheduled at Brockport Central Schools.
No. 2 seed GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (13-2-2/Monroe County Division III) vs. No. 3 seed CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (12-5-0/Monroe County Division II)
How they got here: Greece Athena (No. 19 NYSSWA Class A) shut out No. 7 seed Irondequoit, 5-0 in the quarterfinals. Churchville-Chili knocked off reigning champion Brighton in Pks, 4-2.
Total goals scored: Greece Athena (52), Churchville-Chili (34)
Total goals allowed: Greece Athena (18), Churchville-Chili (22)
Last time they met in the postseason: Athena downed Churchville 2-0 in the semifinals of the 2014 Class A1 tournament. Athena went on to win the A1 title that year and eventually the NYS Class A crown.
Trends: Athena has won seven straight and is unbeaten in their past 11. Churchville has won four straight, a stretch in which the Saints have held opponents to one goal (penalty kicks in quarterfinal withstanding).
Names to know: Greece Athena – Victor Alongi (Jr. attacker 6 goals/4 assists), Othman Belhseine (Sr. attacker 14 goals/4 assists), Jared Burns (Jr. goalkeeper), Ryan Fitzgerald (Jr. midfielder 2 goals/5 assists), Michael Loiacono (Sr. outside back 2 goals, 1 assist), Nate Masucci (Jr. attacker 2 goals/3 assists), Brian Piendel (Jr. back 4 goals/1 assists), Dylan Rice (Jr. center midfielder 14 goals/10 assists), Gavin Rice (So. outside back 2 assists), Michael Tracey (Jr. center back 1 goal/3 assists).
Churchville-Chili – Jacob Anthony (Sr. midfielder 6 goals/2 assists), Alex Blondale (Jr. attacker 3 goals/4 assists), Mario Cozzo (Sr. attacker 9 goals/7 assists), Zach Main (Sr. goalkeeper), Colton McCane (Jr. outside back 1 assist), Nick Millard (Sr. midfielder 2 goals/3 assists), Marcus Postell (Sr. attacker 2 goals/3 assists), Nick Rippe (Jr. attacker 2 goals), Gaven Egan (So. midfielder 4 goals/3 assists).
Coaches: Mike Butler (Greece Athena), John Mahoney (Churchville-Chili)
History 101: Athena is looking to return to the finals for the first time since winning the A1 title in 2016. Top-seeded a year ago, Churchville-Chili lost in double overtime to eventual NYS semifinalist Brighton. Those Saints had won eight straight and were ranked No. 6 in the state.
A 7:30 PM kickoff is scheduled at Brockport Central Schools.
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