By PAUL GOTHAM
WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y — Four different players scored two goals apiece, and the Fillmore boys used a strong second half to claim the 2021 New York State Class D Far West Regional championship with a 9-0 victory over Ellicottville (VI).
Nooradeen Muziad-Omar’s second goal of the game sparked a second-half barrage that saw the Eagles pull away from a 3-0 halftime lead.
“We’re a second-half team,” Fillmore head coach Jamie Mullen said. “We always take a while to get going. The reality is they (Ellicottville) were fighting hard. They were battling. They were working, then you get down three-nothing and it’s starts to feel like you’re parting the Red Sea.”
Leading scorer, Mitchell Ward followed Muziad-Omer with a pair of tallies before Jack Cool, Brent Zubikowski and Zach Sisson finished off the scoring for the day.
Fillmore took a pair of decisions with Ellicottville during the regular season, but 20 minutes into the game the two teams were deadlocked in a scoreless tie.
51’ Mitchell Ward connects on his 31st goal of the season. Fillmore 5-0. pic.twitter.com/rtnusv7OIu
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021
“There’s nerves,” Mullen stated. “I don’t care who you’re playing. You come in here and nobody knows it, but the pressure that’s on these kids because if they lose it’s the greatest upset in history and that pressure just works on you. That makes you miss. That makes you make mistakes. There’s a different kind of pressure that was on there.”
Jack Cool started the scoring in the 22nd minute with an assist from Carter Sisson. Zach Sisson doubled the advantage 10 minutes later.
33’ GOAL Zach Sisson catches the bar to give Fillmore a 2-nil lead. pic.twitter.com/8oA0Zsawfj
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021
Muziad-Omer increased the lead to 3-0 when he connected on an Olimpico from the left corner flag.
‘38 OLIMPICO Nooraden Muziad-Omar from the left corner flag gives Fillmore a 3-nil lead. pic.twitter.com/rnYVNolDlL
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 6, 2021
Fillmore advances to the state semis for the second time in two attempts having reached the final four in 2019. The Eagles will face Chazy next Saturday.
The 2020 New York State tournament was cancelled due to Covid-19 precautions.
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