Mathis, Nelson lead Fairport to AAA title

By STEVE BRICKLER

SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — No. 1 seed Fairport defeated No. 2 McQuaid 1-0 for the 2023 Section V Class AAA Boys’ Soccer title behind a Ryan Mathis goal in the 18^th minute and a huge penalty kick save by goalkeeper AJ Nelson with 6:35 left to play. 

It was Fairport’s first title since 2019 and the first for Coach Bill Teasdale.

“We were fortunate to get an early goal,” said Teasdale. “They’ve got a lot of talented players, they’ve got a lot of good attacking players, (Kevin) Miller is very dangerous up top and you’ve got to give credit to our backs because they stopped a very good team.”

The game was a midfield stalemate in the early going with neither team able to generate quality scoring opportunities.  Fairport got a decent look in the 15^th minute when outside back Zachary Buys one-timed a ball that made its way across the box off of a throw in from the far side but his low blast went just wide.

A little over two minutes later, Mathis stepped in front of a McQuaid pass in the middle third of the field, took a touch and unleashed a bomb into the upper left corner of the net from about 35 yards out for the goal that would hold up for the rest of the game.

“I saw it go and I knew it was going in,” said Mathis of his fifth goal in sectional play and 10^th this season. “I ran to my teammates. They’ve been with me all season.  It was awesome.”

Mathis nearly doubled the score for Fairport four minutes later when he received a flick header in space about 30 yards from the goal.  Seeing McQuaid goalkeeper Alex Morey off his line, Mathis tried to pop it over his head but Morey retreated and was able to tip the ball wide.

McQuaid was able to generate some pressure in the second twenty minutes of the first half, earning four corner kicks in that span.  With about 10 minutes left in the half, the Knights won a header off a corner kick which led to a scramble about six yards from the Fairport goal but could not get off a shot that made it to goal.

In the second half, McQuaid started quickly as Tyler Pagano dribbled himself free at the top of the left side of the box, but his near post shot was steered wide by Nelson in the first minute.  McQuaid continued to be first to balls cleared to midfield and would regenerate their attack but the Fairport defensive unit was up to the task. 

In the 60th minute, Miller created an opportunity for the Knights by cutting in from the left side, then cutting back out for a cross that found the hands of Nelson.  In the 65^th minute, Oliver Aguirre had an open look from the right side of the 18 that also went directly to Nelson.  

McQuaid got the break it was looking for when Fairport was called for a handball just outside the 18, straight on to goal.  The ensuing free kick then hit a Fairport player in the hand inside the box for the PK.  The ball was shot low and hard to the right post but Nelson dove correctly to his left and got both hands on the ball to make the save.  McQuaid got to the rebound first but the attempted serve across the goalmouth was cleared away.

“I picked up a couple of things,” said Nelson as to having any indication as to where the shot might go.  “I felt that way and I went that way and I was lucky enough to make the save.  Sectional final, I dreamed of this as a kid and I got my moment and I knew I could do it and I didn’t feel any pressure.  I was just having fun.”

Fairport nearly put the game out of reach two minutes later when forward Daniel Van Aardt laid a ball off to midfielder Jackson Dubose who took the ball end line and played a ball across the goalmouth where Austin Stephany just redirected the ball wide at the far post.  

McQuaid would get a couple more opportunities but was unable to put anything on frame in the waning minutes of the game.

“McQuaid is a very strong opponent, and for the last 10-15 minutes we were able to lock down and defend.  Our goal was a great goal and the PK save was amazing”, said Teasdale.  “They’re a great group of guys, they’re very close, they’re a brotherhood.  They support each other on and off the field.  They’re an outstanding group.”   

Fairport (10-4-2) moves on to play the Section VI representative in the New York State Class AAA Far West Regional next Saturday in Buffalo while McQuaid closes at 9-5-1.