By MIKE ROSE
The Eagles’ empire rolled on Friday as Fillmore defeated the Naples Big Green in overtime 2-1. It marked the third consecutive sectional title and fourth in five years for Fillmore boys’ soccer. Layton Sanasith scored the game-winning goal 4:15 into overtime on a feed from Henry Sardina to propel the Eagles to the win.
“It comes across in the air and you see Layton there and he’s our best header on the team and you just hope that he’s going to get his head on it and get it in the back of the night,” Fillmore head coach Jarrett Vosburg said. “He did and it was just incredible just absolute mayhem over there.”
“As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to put it in,” Sanasith said. “Nothing else would do.”
With the win, the defending state champions remain unbeaten at 19-0 on the season but it wasn’t smooth sailing for them on this night.
Naples struck first when Matthew Lincoln buried his 34th goal of the season in the opening moments of the first half. From there, however, Fillmore took control of the game. The Eagles dictated much of the pace before tying it in the final five minutes of the first half on a perfect ball served up to Sardina. Sardina was able to speed free and beat Caleb Fuller to tie the game.
“When that goal went in I had a smile on my face and I knew we were going to come back,” Sardina said. “When I had that chance I just thought of the advice my coach gave me ‘Go far post.’ That’s what I did and sure enough, it went right in and felt great.”
It seemed the mindset of Sardina trickled through the entire Eagles team as they controlled much of the second half. Despite that, neither side was able to generate consistent or significant offense. On the chances the Eagles did produce Fuller made timely saves to keep the score level and eventually sent the game to overtime. There Sardina and Sanasith worked their magic to get the win.
“All year long they’ve been our go-to guys for scoring,” Vosburg said. “When the going gets tough they put their head down and just find a way to make things happen. They’re unselfish, they’re incredible athletes and they really care about their teammates.”
Sardina finished the night with a goal and an assist and expressed how great it felt to be back atop Class D.
“It’s the most fulfilling feeling,” Sardina said. “Trying to live up to states last year it’s big shoes to fill and we’re on our way and it’s the most fulfilling thing to be here right now.”
Despite the expectations that are ahead the Eagles are living in the moment for right now.
“We’re going to enjoy tonight because we’re incredibly fortunate and incredibly blessed and we just really have to soak this all in and enjoy tonight and then we’ll get better next week,” Vosburg said.
After the celebration settles Fillmore will move forward into its state title defense against either Ellicottville or North Collins, the Section VI representative in the New York State Far West Regionals.
Correction please, Fillmore is 20-0 on the season.
Thank you.