The top two seeds in Class C1 have found their way to the championship round. Byron-Bergen/Elba will play for its first title since winning Class C1 in 2017. The Bees played last season in Class C2 where they fell in the semifinals. After a pair of early exits the last two seasons, the 2019 and 2020 Class C1 champions East Rochester are back in the finals. Here is what you need to know:
No. 1 seed EAST ROCHESTER BOMBERS (16-1-1/Monroe County Division II)
vs.
No. 2 seed BYRON-BERGEN/ELBA BEES (15-2-1/Genesee Region)
How they arrived here: After a bye through the pre-quarterfinals East Rochester (No. 3 NYSSWA Class C) began with a 5-0 victory over No. 8 Sodus in the quarterfinals before knocking off No. 4 Avon 2-1 in the semifinals to earn its spot in the finals. Byron-Bergen/Elba (No. 8 NYSSWA Class C) also had a bye in the pre-quarterfinals before knocking off No. 10 Holley 5-0. They defeated No. 3 Addison 6-1 to claim a spot in the championship round.
Total goals scored: East Rochester (68), Byron-Bergen/Elba (73)
Total goals allowed: East Rochester (14), Byron-Bergen/Elba (16)
Trends: East Rochester has won six consecutive games. Four of those wins have been shutout efforts, allowing just two goals total during the streak. Byron-Bergen/Elba enters on a six-game winning streak with three shutouts in that stretch.
Players to watch for East Rochester: Perry Francis So. A 17 goals, 14 assists, Besart Hajderi Jr. A 17 goals, nine assists, Jalen McCoy Sr. A 16 goals, 10 assists, Alexander Entz Jr. GK 860 minutes played, 62 saves, 11 goals against, Liam Kenney Jr. M four goals, seven assists, Sean Hogan So. M six goals, three assists, Elijah Tanner Jr. M five goals, four assists
Byron-Bergen/Elba: Jack Farner Jr. A 30 goals, six assists, Colin Martin Sr. M 23 goals, 20 assists, Martin MacConnell Jr. Gk 1164 minutes played, 10 goals against, Braedyn Chambry Sr. D eight goals, 10 assists, Carter Prinzi Sr. M three goals, three assists, Joel Lamb So. D three assists, Adam Piper Jr. M three goals
Coaches: Mike Yacuzzo (East Rochester), Ken Rogoyski (Byron-Bergen/Elba)
History 101: East Rochester is seeking its sixth sectional title in program history and first since 2020 which was also the last time they made the finals. The Bombers won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. The Byron-Bergen/Elba combined program is seeking its second sectional championship. Byron-Bergen has nine titles overall while Elba just the 2017 combined victory which was also the last trip for the program to the finals.
What’s next: The winner of this matchup will face either Geneseo or Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale in the Class C regional qualifier.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, 2 p.m. at Avon High School.
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