By PAUL GOTHAM
Aquinas (A), Fairport (AAA), and Spencerport (AA) were among those ranked in the top ten when the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSA) released its Large-School polls earlier this week.
Fairport (3-0-1 entering the week) comes in at No. 5 in the AAA poll (it’s been a while, but, yes, New York State now has a triple-A class). The Red Raiders opened the season with wins over Brighton (3-0), Rush-Henrietta (3-0) and Penfield (2-1) along with a 2-2 stalemate at Churchville-Chili before dropping a 1-nil decision to Hilton (more about the Cadets in the next paragraph) on Tuesday. Daniel Van Aardt leads the Red Raiders with four goals. Zach Buys has two goals and three assists while Ryan Mathis has found the back of the net twice while getting the helper on two other goals. Fairport travels to Victor (1-3) on Thursday for a Monroe County Division I matchup. A 7 PM start time is scheduled.
Reigning Class A champ, Spencerport (4-0-0) is No. 6 Class AA. The 2022 Monroe County Division II Player of the Year Kyle Milburn has five goals and two assists for the Rangers who have beaten Irondequoit (2-1) in a weather-shortened game, Gates Chili (1-0), Orchard Park of Section VI (4-3) and Brighton (2-0). Cam Kuhns has a goal and three assists for Spencerport. The Rangers are without Justice Hinman because of an injury for at least another week. Hinman finished with 13 goals and five assists in 2022 when Spencerport ended a decade-old sectional drought and reached the NYS semifinals for the first time since 1979. The Rangers host Churchville-Chili for a 7 PM kickoff, Thursday night.
Hilton (4-0-0) grabbed No. 12 in AA. With Shawn Cavey and Joe Giuliano sharing keeper responsibilities, the Cadets have outscored opponents by a combined total of 13-1. Johnny Bianchi leads the offense with six goals. Hilton has wins over Webster Schroeder (4-0), Victor (4-0), Rush-Henrietta (4-1) and Fairport (1-0). The Cadets travel to Webster Thomas (2-1-0) for a 5 PM start on Thursday.
Winner of seven sectional titles, it’s been more than a decade since Aquinas reached a championship final. It’s been at least that long since the Li’l Irish appeared in the state’s Top 10. That changed with Aquinas (3-0-1) coming in at No. 8 in Class A. Led by the senior midfield tandem of Ali Shabani and Charlie Sorensen, Aquinas has wins over Brighton (2-1), Canisius of Section VI (1-0) and Bishop Kearney (9-0) along with a 1-1 tie against McQuaid. Alfonso Vito has four goals and four assists. LJ Gleason’s work as keeper accounts for 17 saves. Sorensen recently announced his commitment to continue his career at Bucknell University. Aquinas will play at East on Friday. A 5 PM is slated.
Wayne (2-0) is ranked No. 13 Class A. Nevin Crane leads the Eagle offense with two goals while Peter Treasure, Jr. has a goal and two assists. With wins over Pittsford Mendon (1-0) and Newark (3-0), Matthew Chelini has registered the clean sheets with 12 saves. Wayne travels to Mynderse for a Finger Lakes East matchup on Thursday. A 7 PM start is scheduled.
Reigning NYS Class AA Scarsdale (I) currently sits atop the state AA rankings. Brentwood (XI), the 2019 AA state champs, is No. 1 AAA. Both teams are ranked nationally with Scarsdale coming in at No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. Brentwood ranks No. 18.
Continuing the No. 9 tradition
This past Tuesday, Pittsford Mendon honored the memory of former Viking Todd Pelino when junior captain, Colden Forney was selected to wear the No. 9 jersey. Pelino, a three-year starter on then-head coach Joe Borrosh’s 1983-85 squads, lost his life in the tragic events of September 11th, 2011. Borrosh started the tradition the following year choosing a player on his team each year who best represented the work ethic Pelino showed during his time on the pitch. Current head coach Mark Hurley has continued the tradition since taking over the reins. Forney, a three-year starter, will wear the same number Pelino donned for the remainder of the season.
One for the record books
On September 8th, Perry’s Holden Kelly matched a 55-year old state record when the junior midfielder finished with eight goals in a 10-2 Yellowjackets victory over Hammondsport. Coming out of halftime clinging to a 3-1 lead, Kelly connected from 25 yards out to start the scoring and continued from there. He tied the record set by Dennis Mills (Friendship) in 1968.
Father and son duo to be inducted
On October 6th, Churchville-Chili hosts Spencerport for a Monroe County Division II clash. At halftime, the rival programs will celebrate as one when Section V Boys’ Soccer adds a father and son tandem to its Hall of Fame. Spencerport alum Frank Ciliberto (1978) and former Churchville-Chili Saint Frankie Ciliberto (2014) will be honored. The elder Ciliberto, a member of the Spencerport Wall of Fame, went on to SUNY Cortland where he was a three-year starter and two-time All-American selection with the Red Dragons. Frankie Ciliberto, a two-time All-State selection as well as Monroe County Player of the Year and Academic All-American went on to play at Worcester Polytechic Institute.
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