One team is seeking its second sectional title in the last four years. The other is looking to three-peat. Naples and Fillmore will meet Friday for the 2023 Section V Class D championship. Here’s what you need to know:
No. 1 seed NAPLES BIG GREEN (18-0-0/Finger Lakes West Division)
vs.
No. 2 seed FILLMORE EAGLES (18-0-0/Allegany County Division I)
How they arrived here: Naples started sectionals with a 3-0 win over No. 8 seed Charles G. Finney. The Big Green then defeated No. 5 seed Arkport-Canaseraga, 3-2, in overtime to clinch a spot in the finals. Fillmore opened with a 5-1 victory over No. 7 seed Marion. The Eagles then defeated No. 3 seed Northstar Christian, 2-0.
Total goals scored: Naples (78), Fillmore (112)
Total goals allowed: Naples (6), Fillmore (6)
Trends: Both teams have allowed more than one goal in a game only once, occurring WITH the same opponent (Arkport-Canaseraga). Naples has recorded 13 shutouts. Fillmore has pitched 14 shutouts.
Players to Watch for Naples: Oscar Austin So. 11 assists, eight goals; Jacob Betrus Jr. 11 goals, 10 assists; CJ Fuller Jr. GK 63 saves, 1,454 minutes in goal; Landon Gleichauf Jr. Five assists, three goals; Matthew Lincoln Jr. 33 goals, six assists; Sean Morehead Jr. Eight assists, six goals; Traugott Uhlen Sr. Seven assists, two goals; Isaac Ward So. 11 assists, five goals
Fillmore: Jackson Cool Sr. MF/D Nine assists, seven goals; Brayden Hennard Jr. GK 64 saves, 1,077 minutes in goal; Layton Sanasith Sr. F/MF 21 goals, six assists; Henry Sardina Sr. F/MF 32 goals, 13 assists; Eben Schilke Sr. MF 26 assists, 16 goals; Isaiah Sisson So. MF Eight goals, five assists; Zach Sisson Sr. MF/D 15 goals, nine assists; Noah Strickland Sr. MF/D Seven assists, five goals
Coaches: Ryan Betrus (Naples), Jarrett Vosburg (Fillmore)
History 101: Naples is seeking its 13th sectional title in program history and second in the last four years. In 2020, the top-seeded Big Green limited their three sectional opponents (Bradford/Dundee, Kendall and Geneseo) to one goal combined en route to the Class C2 championship. Fillmore, the reigning state champion, is making its fifth consecutive sectional finals appearance. The Eagles are seeking their fourth block in that span, including third straight and 10th overall. Fillmore claimed the 2019, 2021 and 2022 Class D1 championships. The Eagles have made back-to-back state finals appearances as well, defeating Chazy (VII) last year and coming up short to Mount Academy (IX) in 2021.
What’s next: The winner will face the Section VI champion in the New York State Class D Far West Regional.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at Avon High School.
Leave a Reply