By MIKE DESANTO
The 2019 Class D1 semifinals will see a battle of two Eagles and the rematch of 2018’s Class D state qualifier, featuring both of Section V’s state-ranked teams in the class. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed FILLMORE EAGLES (15-1-1/Allegany County Division I) vs. No. 4 seed KENDALL EAGLES (8-6-2/Genesee Region)
How they got here: Fillmore (No. 5 NYSSWA) defeated No. 9 Arkport/Canaseraga 4-2 in the quarterfinals. Kendall claimed a quarterfinal victory over No. 5 Alfred-Almond 2-1.
Total goals scored: Fillmore (83), Kendall (31)
Total goals allowed: Fillmore (13), Kendall (25)
Last time they met in the postseason: Fillmore and Kendall last met in the first round of the 2017 D1 playoffs. Fillmore took the matchup 4-0.
Trends: Fillmore has won 10 of its last 11 games, with one tie and 11 shutouts. Kendall enters with wins in three of its last four games.
Names to know: Fillmore- Levi Webb (18 goals, eight assists), Tobias Webb (17 goals, six assists), Mitchell Ward (11 goals, five assists), Ethan Peet (10 goals, 20 assists), Dylan Valentine (1,025 minutes in goal, five goals against).
Kendall- Jacob Esposito (nine goals), Hayden VanDusen (four goals), Michael McCue (four goals, three assists), Tory Raufeisen (seven assists), Mason Kuhn (1,080 minutes in goal, 21 goals against)
Coaches: Jamie Mullen (Fillmore), Rich Espisito (Kendall)
History 101: Fillmore fell to eventual champions C.G. Finney in last year’s semifinals and will seek its first title since winning the Class DD tournament in 2007. Kendall last appeared in a semifinals in 2014, losing on penalty kicks to Keshequa in the C2 playoffs. A championship win would be Kendall’s first since the 1998 Class C title.
The match is set for Tuesday at Avon. A 7 PM kickoff is scheduled.
No. 2 seed AVOCA TIGERS (15-2-0/Steuben County Division II) vs. No. 3 seed C.G. FINNEY FALCONS (9-5-2/Private/Parochial)
How they got here: Avoca (No. 12 NYSSWA) beat No. 7 Honeoye 3-0 in the quarterfinals. C.G. Finney shut out No. 6 Jasper-Troupsburg 2-0 in its quarterfinal game.
Total goals scored: Avoca (44), C.G. Finney (64)
Total goals allowed: Avoca (13), C.G. Finney (29)
Last time they met in the postseason: The two teams clashed in last season’s Class D crossover game. Finney won 2-0.
Trends: Avoca has won eight straight games, allowing no more than two goals in any game this season. Finney earned wins in three of its last four games.
Names to know: Avoca- Devin Stowe (14 goals, seven assists), Kade Slayton (nine goals), Cameron Giglio (six goals), Caleb Polmateer (five assists), Pacey Hopkins (five assists), Thomas Derick (954 minutes in goal, eight goals against).
C.G. Finney- Matthew Torrell (23 goals, six assists), Titan Upaphattavanij (nine goals, four assists), Connor Torrell (six goals, 11 assists), Matt Magliato (six goals, five assists), James Sidorishin (six goals).
Coaches: John Stamets (Avoca), Steve Merritt (C.G. Finney)
History 101: Avoca finished last year as the Class D2 champion, falling in the state qualifier. This is the Tigers fourth consecutive semifinal appearance. Finney won last season’s D1 championship, reaching the state semifinals. The Falcons seek their third title since 2016.
The match will take place at Cohocton on Tuesday. A 5:30 PM start is slated.
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