One program is looking for its eighth title and second in three years. The other aims to win its first title since 2020 and 21st in school history. Churchville-Chili and Penfield will decide a winner this Friday, October 31 in the Section V Class AA Boys’ championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS
(15-1-2 / Monroe County Division II)
vs.
No. 6 seed PENFIELD PATRIOTS
(10-5-2 / Monroe County Division I)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
How they arrived here: Top-seeded Churchville-Chili (No. 12 NYSSWA) kicked off its postseason with a 6-nil victory over No. 16 Victor. In the quarterfinals, the Saints edged out No. 8 Webster Schroeder 2-1 to advance to the semis where Churchville shutout No. 5 Brockport 6-0. Sixth seeded Penfield started the playoffs with a 2-1 win over No. 11 Canandaigua. The Patriots shutout No. 3 Greece Arcadia 3-0 in the quarterfinals and pulled off the upset against No. 2 Spencerport 2-1 to advance to the finals.
Totals goals scored: Churchville-Chili (62), Penfield (31)
Total goals allowed: Churchville-Chili (8), Penfield (15)
Trends: Churchville-Chili enters the championship on a three-game win streak with two shutout victories, outscoring opponents 14-1 in that stretch. On the season, the Saints have 12 shutout victories and have allowed two goals or more twice. Churchville’s only loss on the season came at the hands of Class AAA No. 1 NYSSWA Fairport, 2-0. Penfield heads into the finals on a three-game win streak as well outscoring opponents 8-2 in the postseason. Penfield has not sacrificed more than three goals in a game all season and have recorded seven shutouts on the year.
Regular season meeting: The two teams battled to a two-all draw on October 16th at Penfield.
Players to watch for Churchville-Chili: Lucas Cariola Jr. F (14 G, 11 A); Braeden Naujokas Sr. M (10 G, 11 A); Chris Keller Sr. M (11 G, 8 A); Eli Klewicki Sr. F (9 G, 3 A); Bryce Wolf Jr. F (6 G, 11 A); Avery Ewell Jr. M (5 G, 4 A); Mason Simmons Sr. GK (75 saves, 8 GA); Isaac Bailey Sr. D; Ryan Vujanovic Sr. D (1 G, 2 A).
Penfield: Dylan Finnocchario Jr. M (5 G, 4 A); John Lampe Sr. F (6 G, 1 A); Mason Vallow Sr. M (3 G, 3 A); Dallas Crawford Sr. F (3 G, 2 A); Dylan Zimmermann Sr. D (2 G, 2 A); Davis Easton Fr. F (2 G, 1 A); Adam Sokolowski Jr. M (2 G, 1 A); Ryder Lucas Sr. GK (93 saves, 14 GA); Caden Shager Sr. D (3 G, 2 A).
Coaches: John Mahoney (Churchville-Chili), John Cotsonas (Penfield)
History 101: Churchville-Chili is looking to grab its second title in three years after defeating Spencerport in overtime 3-2 in 2023. It can be the second time in school history the Saints have won two titles in three years with the last time coming when Churchville went back-to-back in 1972 and 1973. The Saints have won seven sectional titles in program history. Penfield is back in the finals for the first time since 2020 when the Patriots edged out Fairport 1-0 and finished the season with a 13-0-0 record. Penfield is aiming to win its 21st title in program history with its first dating back to 1949. The Patriots have three NYS titles in program history with its last coming in 2004.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Class AA regional against the Section VI champion either Clarence or Williamsville East.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, Halloween night, 8 p.m. at Webster Thomas High School.
Leave a Reply