By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Dante Colaprete’s first-half goal proved to be the difference as No. 7 Harley-Allendale-Columbia (7-8-0) defeated No. 10 Bloomfield (3-14-0), 1-0 in Section V Class C2 first-round action on Wednesday.
With the win over its Finger Lakes West rival, the Wolves advance to face another league foe in second-seeded Naples.
“It’s not easy beating a team three times in one season,” said head coach Darek Whitcomb. “We knew they would be coming for us. We had to make sure we were ready to push ourselves.
“We were fighting hard from the start, and I’m happy we came out with a good result.”
Colaprete converted off a free kick from teammate Parker Weiss.
“That’s Dante’s eighth (goal) on the season,” Whitcomb said. “He’s a workhorse. He’s always pushing himself.”
HAC came away with a 3-2 win when the two teams met in mid-September at Bloomfield and swept the regular season series with a 4-nil victory a week ago.
“They played us really close when we were out there earlier in the season,” Whitcomb said. “When they came here last week, it was our senior night. We had a lot to play for. We played with a lot of intensity and heart. That pushed us through and gave us a lot of momentum.
“They know what we’re capable of doing. Where we’re dangerous and where we’re not dangerous. They know our weaknesses. They came out and fought hard.”
Wednesday’s win was the fourth straight for HAC which dropped five straight at one point and fell to 3-8-0 on September 29th.
“We know our guys. We know what we’re capable of doing. We know how well we can play when we reach our potential.
“It’s been a long season. We had some injuries early on that kinda put us on a tough streak. But we picked it up. We’re putting the ball in the back of the net and keeping it out of ours. This is the best time of the season to get hot.”
The shutout was the fourth straight and fifth of the season for HAC. The backline of Wesson Riveros, Leo Drew, Liam Mitchell and Antonio Ramos held Bloomfield without a shot on goal over the final 40 minutes of play.
“They’re out here working their butts off all game long, all season long. We wouldn’t have the success we’ve had if they weren’t back there.”
Naples beat HAC twice during the regular season.
A 3 p.m. kickoff is scheduled Saturday at Naples Community Park.
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