By STEVE BRICKLER
WEST SENECA, N.Y. — To win the gauntlet that was the Section V Class AA sectional bracket, Churchville-Chili boys’ soccer needed some lucky bounces to go its way. In the state qualifier against Clarence of Section VI, two unlucky bounces led directly to first-half goals as the Red Devils advanced with a 3-0 victory in the Far West State Regional at West Seneca West High School on Saturday.
From the start, Clarence’s offensive playmakers put pressure on the Saints’ defense, but C-C was able to prevent any dangerous opportunities from making way towards goalkeeper Josh Smith early on. The Saints defenders were winning aerial entries into the box and were able to step into tackles to disrupt the buildup that Clarence was creating in the Saints’ defensive third.
In the seventh minute, the first unlucky bounce came after a cross from the right flank was headed away by Churchville defender Cam Bean towards the sideline. The clearance attempt ricocheted off the back of another Churchville defender and bounced directly to Clarence’s Evan Webster who turned and volleyed a left-footed shot past Smith from about six yards out, Webster’s 13th of the year.
Following the Red Devil goal, both teams were able to create some decent opportunities for themselves. For the Saints, Noah Berg had a rip from about 35 yards out that required Clarence goalkeeper Will Bykowicz to make a leaping save. Minutes later, Andrew Berardicurti took a bouncing ball just outside the box on the right flank and sent a high arcing ball towards the back post that missed just wide. Colin Guilfoyle also got a look from the top left of the 18-yard box that was deflected and covered up by Bykowicz.
The Red Devils created opportunities with quick combination passing or by taking on Churchville defenders with speed on the dribble. Their second goal, however, was the result of another unlikely bounce in the 26th minute. A clearance attempt by a Churchville defender near the top right of the 18 glanced off a second Saint defender and went directly to Clarence’s Carson Holden who found himself alone in the box. His right footed shot hit the left post and rolled in for a 2-0 Clarence edge.
“They were so fast and dynamic on offense”, said Churchville-Chili Coach John Mahoney afterword. “I have never seen movement like that offensively from a high school team. But with that said, they got two free goals on unlucky bounces that fell to their players six yards out. They were both clearances that bounced off guys backs and went backwards 10 yards to their players. Very unfortunate there.”
Churchville came out in the second half and dictated the tempo early on and seemed poised to cut Clarence’s lead in half. The best opportunity came in the 46th minute after Bykowicz steered a Guilfoyle shot wide for a corner kick. The in-swinging corner kick to the back post found Elijah Bailey whose header was cleared off the line by a Clarence defender.
“If we had scored there, I think it would have been a 2-2 game at some point,” said Mahoney.
Both teams continued to play at a fast pace, generating potential scoring chances. Alessio Battaglia of Clarence hit the crossbar in the 66th minute while Berardicurti had a shot from the top of the 18th covered up on a diving stop by Bykowocz in the 73rd minute.
The final goal came with 1:16 to play as Churchville sent nearly everyone up to challenge a free kick in the Clarence box. Clarence was able to clear the ball to Patrick Krough who went in on a breakaway in transition, sliding the ball to the left post past a sliding Smith.
“In my opinion, not a 3-0 game but at the same time they were better than us. They were by far the best team we played all year. But a great run and happy with my boys. Happy all around. To be the best team in Section V Class AA is a feat. Such a tough class and we deserved that sectional patch. To win a brick after 33 years and with my mom passing is just amazing. She was with me and us that night at HFL. I really can’t ask for much more than what these guys gave me.”
Clarence improves to 16-2-2 and will play the winner of Guilderland (Section II) and Christian Brothers Academy (Section III) in Middletown. The Saints finished with a 14-4-2 record.
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