Bath-Haverling boys clinch return trip to state semis

By PAUL GOTHAM

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. — Twice prior Matt Hill’s Bath-Haverling Rams faced East Aurora (VI) in the New York State Far West Regional.

On both occasions, the Rams’ season came to an end.

Saturday evening at Williamsville-South High School that trend was halted.

Three players scored a goal apiece, and Bath-Haverling claimed the 2021 New York State Class B Boys’ Regional Championship with a 3-1 win over East Aurora.

“We only see them when we get to this game,” Hill said of East Aurora. “They’re a great program. It’s nice to be able to take a ride back to Middletown.”

D.J Smith started the scoring for Bath-Haverling when he redirected a a Bram Pomplaus free kick for a 1-0 lead with 21:35 remaining in the first half.

22’ BAM! DJ Smith nods home a Bram Pomplas free kick. ⁦@HaverlingRams⁩ 1-0. pic.twitter.com/Ok8h5X35Fb

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021

Little more than two minutes later, Keefer Calkins made it a 2-0 with his 46th goal of the season.

20’ Keefer Calkins converts on the corner. ⁦@HaverlingRams⁩ 2-0 pic.twitter.com/BO0r3HZm64

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021

Brady Dickson capped the Rams’ scoring midway through the second half.

59’ GOAL Brady Dickson gives ⁦@HaverlingRams⁩ a 3-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/nDwq4QlWZA

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021

With the win, Bath-Haverling clinched consecutive trips to the state semis.

“I’m just so happy for the kids,” Hill said. “They worked so hard today. We got two or three guys really banged up out there, but they stuck with it and still wanted to play. The smiles on their faces is the best part of it.”

East Aurora defeated the Rams in the 2008 regional championship (1-0) and again in 2018 (2-0).

Bath-Haverling keeper AJ Brotz made eight saves in the win. Earlier in the day, the senior was on the gridiron helping the school’s football team to a 14-7 victory over Le Roy in the Section V Class B semi-finals. Brotz finished with one touchdown reception.

Euan Reynolds scored the lone East Aurora goal late in the first half.

36’ Euan Reynolds gets East Aurora on the scoreboard ⁦@HaverlingRams⁩ 2-1. pic.twitter.com/ci5A3AgsLM

— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021