For the third time in as many postseasons, the boys’ soccer teams of Pittsford Sutherland and Spencerport will face each other. On this occasion, the 2022 Section V Class A championship is on the line Tuesday at Eastridge High School. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 3 seed SPENCERPORT RANGERS (14-4-1/Monroe County Division II)
vs.
No. 4 seed PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS (15-3-1/Monroe County Division III)
How they arrived here: Spencerport started sectionals with a 6-1 win over No. 14 seed Gates Chili. The Rangers then defeated No. 6 Greece Arcadia (4-0) and No. 2 Webster Thomas (1-0) to clinch a spot in the finals. Sutherland (No. 18 NYSSWA Class A) opened with a 2-0 victory over No. 13 Canandaigua. The Knights then defeated No. 5 Churchville-Chili, 2-0 and No. 8 Greece Athena, 3-2.
Total goals scored: Spencerport (54), Sutherland (54)
Total goals allowed: Spencerport (18), Sutherland (14)
Trends: Spencerport has won seven straight games. The Rangers have limited eight of their previous nine opponents to one goal or less. Sutherland has taken six in a row and shut out three opponents during that stretch.
Players to watch for Spencerport: Jack Distaffen Jr. GK 1,510 minutes played, 18 goals allowed; Frank Grad Jr. D two goals, two assists; Justice Hinman Jr. A 12 goals, five assists; Jack Keady Jr. D two assists; Kyle Milburn Jr. A 20 goals, eight assists; Andrew Moss Sr. A three goals, six assists; Zach Tortora Fr. M three goals, three assists; Josiah Warrington Jr. M five goals, one assist; Joey Weaver Sr. M one goal, nine assists.
Sutherland: Ronak Bansal Sr. D one assist; Zach Bennett Jr. M three goals, three assists; Santiago Castillo Jr. M three goals, three assists; Henry Goldstein Sr. D one goal, two assists; Will Hanford Jr. M 12 goals, five assists; John Heatwole Sr. M two goals, three assists; Thomas Kwon Sr. M 12 goals, seven assists; Devon Rashid Sr. F 10 goals, 12 assists; Seth Rozen Jr. GK 1,109 minutes played, 12 goals allowed; Leo Taylor three goals, three assists;
Coaches: Jody Wyant (Spencerport), Sean Hopkins (Sutherland)
History 101: Spencerport is looking to win its 13th title in program history but first since 2012 which is also the last time the Rangers reached the finals. Sutherland is looking to win its fourth straight title and fifth in the past six years. Sutherland knocked off Spencerport in the semifinals the past two seasons. The Knights have won 11 sectional championships overall.
What they’re saying
Wyant: “We need to make sure we stick to the game plan. Sutherland is a very good team that can expose an opponent from a variety of angles, so we need to be sharp when we are defending. We have to finish the chances we get. Can’t let the moment get too big.”
Hopkins: “Spencerport is a very good team with some dynamic players that when I watch on video do many of the same things we try to do at Sutherland. For us to be successful, we need to defend as a team at all 10 field positions and take advantage of our opportunities. We need to bring that energy you see from all teams in a sectional final, but also remain calm and settle in and play our game. It should be a great game, and we are looking forward to it.”
What’s next: The winner will face Niagara-Wheatfield (VI/13-3-1) in the New York State Class A Far West Regional.
Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, 5 p.m. at Eastridge High School.
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