By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A spot in the New York State Class A Far West Regional is up for grabs when Monroe County Division III rivals Greece Athena and Pittsford Sutherland meet for the third time this season. Athena is looking to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2016. Sutherland last reached the Elite Eight in 2017. Here’s the breakdown:
Class A1 champions GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (15-2-2/Monroe County Division III) vs. Class A2 champions PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS (17-1-1/Monroe County Division III)
How they got here: Greece Athena (No. 12 NYSSWA) shut out No. 7 seed Irondequoit, 5-0 in the quarterfinals and followed that with a 3-nil win over Churchville-Chili in the semifinals. The Trojans outlasted crosstown rival Greece Arcadia, 3-2 to win their fourth sectional title in six years.
Pittsford Sutherland (No. 6 NYSSWA) opened sectionals with a 9-nil win in the quarterfinals over No. 8 seed Midlakes/Red Jacket before downing Honeoye Falls-Lima in the semifinals. The Knights beat Wayne, 1-0 to hoist a sectional block for the second time in three seasons.
Total goals scored: Greece Athena (58), Sutherland (59)
Total goals allowed: Greece Athena (20), Sutherland (17)
Season Series: Athena and Sutherland split the season series with both sides winning at home . Sutherland took the first meeting on September 17th, 3-2. Athena avenged that loss on October 15th, 5-1. Sutherland’s Ordiway Field is turf similar to Tuesday’s surface.
Trends: Athena has won nine straight and is unbeaten in their past 13. Sutherland has won 10 of 11 and has not allowed a goal in its past four matches.
Names to know: Greece Athena – Victor Alongi (Jr. attacker 6 goals/4 assists), Othman Belhseine (Sr. attacker 18 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 16 goals/13 assists), Gavin Rice (So. outside back 4 assists), Michael Tracey (Jr. center back 1 goal/4 assists).
Sutherland – Will Bowen (Sr. midfielder 12 goals/9 assists), Will Field (So. midfielder 1 goal/9 assists), John Holland (Sr. attacker 4 goals/1 assist), Dylan Kladstrup (19 goals/12 assists), Drew Kull (So. center back 3 assists), Henry Leahy (So. midfielder 1 goal), Tyler Merrick (Sr. attacker 4 goals/1 assist), Matthew Nixon (Jr. goalkeeper), Aidan Pellegrino (Sr. attacker 7 goals/3 assists), Eric Wang (Jr. attacker 2 goals/1 assist).
Coaches: Mike Butler (Greece Athena), Sean Hopkins (Sutherland)
History 101: Tuesday’s tilt will be the first postseason meeting between the two sides in at least the past 18 years.
What’s a stake: A spot in the NYS Class A Far West Regional against the Section VI representative either Niagara-Wheatfield (A1) or Williamsville South (A2).
A 5 PM kickoff is scheduled Tuesday at Spencerport Central Schools.
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