With sectionals in the rearview mirror, six squads set their sights on a state title. First stop is the New York State Far West Regionals. Section V Boys’ Soccer has a record of 136-40-7 against Section VI since the Far West Regionals started in 1979. Since 2012, Section V is 35-11-4 in these matchups including two sweeps in 2013 and 2019. Here’s what you need to know:
CLASS AAA
FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS (10-4-2/Monroe County Division I)
vs.
LANCASTER LEGENDS (11-4-3/ECIC I)
West Seneca HS, Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Fairport (No. 9 NYSSWA Class AA) defeated World Of Inquiry/Edison Tech/Franklin/School Of The Arts, 8-0, to clinch a spot in the finals. The Red Raiders then downed McQuaid 1-0 for their first sectional title since 2019. Lancaster (No. 8 NYSSWA Class AA) defeated West Seneca (6-0) and Jamestown (4-0) to capture the Section VI AAA title.
Total goals scored: Fairport (46), Lancaster (38)
Total goals allowed: Fairport (18), Lancaster (13)
Trends: Fairport has not lost in four of its last five matches. Lancaster enters unbeaten in its last six contests. The Legends pitched four shutouts in that span.
Players to watch for Fairport: Zachary Buys Jr. D Six assists, five goals; Alexander Grejda So. D four goals; Ryan Mathis Jr. MF eight assists, 10 goals; Aiden Nelson Sr. GK 54 saves, 1,171 minutes in goal; Austin Stephany Jr. A four goals, three assists; Daniel Van Aardt Sr. MF 10 goals, two assists.
Lancaster: Roland Wenk So. F 14 goals, three assists; Luciano Gallo Sr. M five goals, eight assists; Alek Pederson Sr. D four goals, two assists; Mikey Defelice Sr. F two goals, three assists; Gavin Jell Sr. D two goals three assists; Noah Okeke So. F two goals, three assists.
Coaches: Bill Teasdale (Fairport), Luciano Gallo (Lancaster)
History 101: This is a rematch of the 2019 Class AA Far West Regional, in which Fairport came out on top 4-0. The Red Raiders advanced to the NYS final that year. Fairport is 7-1-0 all-time in regional play with wins over Clarence in 2016 (1-0/Class AA), Orchard Park (1-0/2014/AA), Clarence (1-0/2013/AA), Clarence (2-1/1998 Class A), Sweet Home (1-0, 1997/A) and Lakeshore (3-0, 1996/A). Fairport lost in overtime to Clarence (1-0, 2009). Lancaster is coming off its eighth Section VI title in program history.
What’s at stake: Winner advances to the NYS Class AAA semifinal against either Shaker (II) or Baldwinsville (III).
CLASS AA
CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (14-3-2/Monroe County Division II)
vs.
CLARENCE RED DEVILS (15-2-2/ECIC I)
West Seneca HS, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Churchville-Chili (No. 13 NYSSWA AA) started the postseason with a 2-1 win over Victor beating No. 7 Canandaigua (4-0). The Saints then faced Hilton and advanced to the finals on PKs (7-6) and downed Spencerport 3-2 to capture the Section V AA title. Clarence (No. 10 NYSSWA AA) beat Hamburg (4-0), Niagara Wheatfield (2-1) and Williamsville North (1-0) to win the Section VI AA crown.
Total goals scored: Churchville-Chili (35), Clarence (52)
Total goals allowed: Churchville-Chili (12), Clarence (15)
Trends: Churchville-Chili enters the Far West Regional unbeaten in 11 of its last 12, including seven shutouts. Clarence has won 11 of its last 12 games and has not allowed more than one goal in its last six contests.
Players to watch for Churchville-Chili: Elijah Bailey Sr. M seven goals, one assist; Cam Bean Sr. D five goals, one assist; Andrew Berardicurti Sr. F eight goals, four assists; Noah Berg Jr. M four goals, three assists; Andrew Burke Sr. D two goals, one assist; Colin Guilfoyle Jr. M five assists; Chris Keller So. M two goals, five assists; Aidan Ozkaynak Sr. F four goals, four assists; Josh Smith Sr. GK 1026 minutes played, 47 saves.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM CHRISTOPHER CECERE.
Clarence: Evan Webster Sr. F 12 goals, nine assists; Jaden Ganga Sr. F seven goals, four assists; Patrick Krough Jr. D five goals, seven assists; Colin Bigham Sr. M three goals, five assists; Dylan Stellrecht Jr. D four goals, three assists; Ethan Dempsey Sr. F five goals, two assists; Carson Holden So. F four goals, two assists; Gabe Gerbetz Fr. F two goals, three assists.
Coaches: John Mahoney (Churchville-Chili), Andrew Gates (Clarence)
History 101: Churchville-Chili is making its first regional appearance since 1990 when the Saints made their only regional appearance, a loss to Lewiston-Porter, 3-1. Clarence is coming off its 17th Section VI title and 10th in the last 16 years. The Red Devils appeared in the 2018 NYS Class AA final and made the semifinal in 2010.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class AA semifinal against the winner of Guilderland (II) and Christian Brothers Academy (III).
CLASS A
AQUINAS LI’L IRISH (17-0-2/Private-Parochial)
vs.
WILLIAMSVILLE SOUTH BILLIES (16-3-0/ECIC III)
West Seneca HS, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Aquinas (No. 1 NYSSWA Class A) started sectionals with a 6-1 win over No. 8 seed Pittsford Mendon. The Li’l Irish then defeated No. 4 Wayne, 4-1 and Pittsford Sutherland 2-0 to win the Class A title. Williamsville South (No. 4 NYSSWA Class A) downed Amherst, Grand Island and Williamsville East all by 2-1 scores to win the Class A1 Section VI title. The Billies then beat Lewiston Porter 3-2 to advance to the Far West Regional.
Total goals scored: Aquinas (73), Williamsville South (77)
Total goals allowed: Aquinas (13), Williamsville South (14)
Trends: Aquinas enters having won four straight. Williamsville South has not lost in its past seven contests.
Players to watch for Aquinas: Micaiah Benjamin-Castle Jr. M Eight assists, two goals; Nicola Costa Sr. F Six assists, five goals; LJ Gleason Jr. GK 101 saves, 1,554 minutes in goal; JB Leary Sr. F Nine goals, five assists; Ryan Lewin So. F Seven goals, one assist; Tin Tin Pasia So. F 11 goals, seven assists; Ali Shabani Sr. MF 19 assists, eight goals; Charlie Sorensen Sr. M Six goals, three assists; Alfonso Vito Sr. F 20 goals, 11 assists; Carter Wegman Sr. D two goals, three assists.
Williamsville South: Logan Diebold Sr. F 30 goals, 12 assists; Niko Magaris Sr. F 12 goals, 10 assists; Jake Lochocki Sr. M five goals, 14 assists; Jonah Diebold Fr. F eight goals, 16 assists; Chase Klimczak Jr. M 10 goals, four assists; Nate LaMendola Sr. D three goals, four assists; Adam Mohsin Jr. F three goals.
Coaches: Josh Gleason (Aquinas), Trevor Lawler (Williamsville South)
History 101: Aquinas enters having won its eighth sectional title in program history. Before this season, the Li’l Irish last won the Section V Class A title in 2006 and captured the state title that season. The Li’l Irish are 3-1-1 all-time in regional matchups with wins over Kenmore East (3-2, 2006/Class A), Grand Island (5-0, 2003/Class B) and Lewiston-Porter (2-1 OT/Class B). Aquinas lost to Iroquois (1-0, 2002/Class B) and advanced on penalty kicks in 2000 against East Aurora (Class B). Williamsville South is coming off its seventh Section VI title and fourth in the last five years. The Billies last made the state final four in 2021.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYSPHSAA Class A semifinal against the winner of Plattsburgh (VII) and Westhill (III).
CLASS B
HORNELL RED RAIDERS (14-3-1/Livingston County Division I)
vs.
EAST AURORA BLUE DEVILS (19-0-1/ECIC III)
West Seneca HS, Saturday, 12 p.m.
How they arrived here: Hornell (No. 7 NYSSWA Class B) opened its sectional run with a win over Waterloo, 5-0. The Red Raiders downed No. 6 Haverling, 4-1, Livonia in overtime, 3-2 and Bishop Kearney/Chesterton 3-1 to capture its second sectional title in three years. East Aurora (No. 3 NYSSWA Class B) defeated Tonawanda (14-1), Medina, (5-0) and Lackawanna (3-2) to win the Class B1 Section VI crown. The Blue Devils then beat Southwestern 3-1 in the regional qualifier.
Total goals scored: Hornell (65), East Aurora (100)
Total goals allowed: Hornell (23), East Aurora (13)
Trends: Hornell has not lost in its last nine matches, going 8-0-1 in that stretch. The Blue Devils enter on a four-game win streak and have recorded 10 clean sheets this season.
Players to watch for Hornell: Jack Emo Sr. F 37 goals, 11 assists; Wyatt Evingham So. M 12 goals, 20 assists; Davin Oyer Sr. GK 855 minutes played, 49 saves; Eric Ross Sr. F six goals, three assists; PJ Picco Jr. M 14 assists, Gennaro Picco Sr. D four goals, two assists; Alfie Whiteley So. F two goals, four assists; Demayne Dixon So. D three assists; Marco Picco So. M two goals.
East Aurora: Amar Culov Sr. F 29 goals, 17 assists; Sam Evans Sr. F nine goals, 16 assists; Owen Mack So. F 15 goals, four assists; Gavin Salerno Sr. F seven goals, two assists; Kai Sendziak So. D five goals, eight assists; Chuck Meyer Sr. D six goals, four assists; Lincoln Ellis Sr. D eight goals, three assists; Lucas Jamesson Fr. M four goals, four assists; Bronson Bessant Fr. F four goals, five assists.
Coaches: Jim Tobin (Hornell), Kevin Beale (East Aurora)
History 101: Hornell is coming off its sixth sectional title in program history and second in three years. The Red Raiders have made one regional in 2006 – a 2-1 loss to Newfane in Class B. East Aurora claimed its 17th Section VI title and is looking to make its third state semifinal appearance in the last eight years. The Blue Devils appeared in the NYS final in both 2008 and 2015.
What’s at stake: The winner will advance to the NYS Class B semifinal to take on either Marcellus (III) or Chenango Forks (IV).
CLASS C
BYRON-BERGEN/ELBA BEES (16-2-1/Genesee Region)
vs.
WILSON LAKEMEN (15-2-2/NO)
West Seneca HS, Friday, 5 p.m.
How they arrived here: Byron-Bergen/Elba (No. 4 NYSSWA Class C) took down Holley 5-0, Addison 3-0 and East Rochester 1-0 to capture the Class C1 title. The Bees then downed Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale 4-0 to advance to the Far West Regional. Wilson (No. 5 NYSSWA Class C) conquered Silver Creek (13-0), Westfield-Brocton (4-2) and Maple Grove (3-2) to hoist the Section VI Class C trophy.
Total goals scored: Byron-Bergen/Elba (78), Wilson (73)
Total goals allowed: Byron-Bergen/Elba (16), Wilson (17)
Trends: Byron-Bergen/Elba enters on an eight-game win streak and has not conceded a goal this postseason. Wilson has won 10 straight and has not been beaten in the last 16 matches.
Players to watch for Byron-Bergen/Elba: Jack Farner Jr. A 35 goals, six assists, Colin Martin Sr. M 23 goals, 22 assists, Martin MacConnell Jr. GK 1244 minutes played, 10 goals against, Braedyn Chambry Sr. D eight goals, 11 assists, Carter Prinzi Sr. M four goals, three assists, Joel Lamb So. D three assists, Adam Piper Jr. M three goals.
Wilson: Keegan Herrman Jr. F 19 goals, 12 assists; Aiden Neumann So. F 17 goals, eight assists; David Gurski So. M 11 goals, nine assists; Blake Simpson Sr. M eight goals, nine assists; Cole Herrman Fr. M three goals, six assists; Logan Kulak Jr. M two goals, five assists; Austin Woodward Jr. M three goals, two assists;
Coaches: Ken Rogoyski (Byron-Bergen/Elba) Paul Hermann (Wilson)
History 101: Byron-Bergen/Elba is looking to make its second trip to the state final four since the merger. The Bees captured the Far West Regional in 2017 and made it to the NYS final. The Byron-Bergen program made three regional appearances with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss in those games. The 2005 Bees beat Holland 3-1 in Class B and the ’02 version defeated Silver Creek, 1-0 in Class C. The ’02 team reached the finals before falling to Keio Academy (I), 1-0. Byron-Bergen lost in overtime to Holland, 3-2 in 1986. Wilson has not made it to the NYS semifinal since 2001 and is coming off its third sectional title in program history.
What’s at stake: Winner faces either Fabius Pompey (III) or Seton Catholic (IV) in the Class C state semifinal.
CLASS D
FILLMORE EAGLES (20-0-0/Allegany County)
vs.
ELLICOTTVILLE EAGLES (12-3-1/Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division I East)
West Seneca HS, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
How they arrived here: Fillmore (No. 1 NYSSWA Class D) opened with a 5-1 victory over Marion. The Eagles then defeated Northstar Christian, 2-0 and Naples 2-1 in overtime to capture their third-straight title. Ellicottville (No. 9 NYSSWA Class D) topped North Collins 6-0 for its fifth sectional title in program history and third straight.
Total goals scored: Fillmore (114), Ellicottville (94)
Total goals allowed: Fillmore (7), Ellicottville (15)
Trends: Fillmore has allowed more than one goal in a game once and has won 14 of 20 via shutout. Ellicottville is unbeaten in nine of its last 10 matches and allowed more than two goals in a match once.
Players to watch for 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 22 goals, six assists; Henry Sardina Sr. F/MF 33 goals, 14 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.
Ellicottville: Owen Doherty Jr. F 30 goals, seven assists; Sam Edwards Sr. M 25 goals, 18 assists; Kyle Robinson Jr. D three goals, 11 assists; Maddox Johnson Jr. M nine goals, three assists; EJ Doherty Sr. M five goals, six assists; Tosh Klein Fr. M three goals, six assists; Toby Coburn Jr. M three goals, three assists.
Coaches: Jarrett Vosburg (Fillmore), Matt Finn (Ellicottville).
History 101: For the third straight year, Fillmore and Ellicottville matchup in the Class D Far West Regional. Fillmore has taken the last two matchups by scores of 9-0 and 2-0. The defending NYS Class D champions are 5-0 all-time in regional matchups with wins over North Collins (4-0) in 2005, Maple Grove (3-0) in 2000 and Cattaraugus (6-0) in 1999. Ellicottville is looking for its first state semifinal appearance in program history.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYSPHSAA Class D semifinal against the winner of Poland (III) and South Kortright (IV).
More history: Since the inception of the NYSPHSAA Boys’ Soccer Tournament in 1978, Section V sides have won more state titles (44) than any other region. Local sides have claimed 23.7 percent of the 185 championships. Of those, 32 have been outright. Pittsford Mendon leads the way with six such NYS titles followed by Red Creek (4) and Aquinas (3). Holley, Naples, Penfield and Pittsford Sutherland have all won two titles apiece with another 12 schools bringing home one outright state crown: Bath-Haverling, Bloomfield, Cardinal Mooney, Fillmore, Gates-Chili, Greece Arcadia, Greece Athena, Hilton, Jasper-Troupsburg, Marion, McQuaid Jesuit and Northstar Christian (Livonia shared the 2012 Class B championship).
Cornell University hosted the first NYS tournament that was competed at three classifications (A, B and C). Class D was added in 1980 and AA in 2004. Two Section V teams (Penfield ’04 and McQuaid ’17) have won outright Class AA titles while Section V teams have combined to win 10 Class A championships, 14 Class B, 11 Class C and seven Class D titles. This is the first year of competition at the Class AAA level.
Section Vl won 4 of the 6 matches this weekend. Is this their best showing against Section V?