One squad aims to win its 22nd sectional title in program history and first in 12 years. Another is in search of its third title this decade and 12th in school history. It’s a cross-town battle in the Class A final as Pittsford Mendon and Pittsford Sutherland go toe-to-toe for the championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed PITTSFORD MENDON VIKINGS
(15-2 / Monroe County Division III)
vs.
No. 2 seed PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS
(12-5 / Monroe County Division III)
How they arrived here: After earning a first-round bye, top-seeded Pittsford Mendon (No. 4 NYSSWA) kicked off the playoffs with a 3-0 shutout over No. 9 Palmyra-Macedon in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, a late-game goal lifted the Vikings to the championship in a 3-2 victory against No. 4 Honeoye Falls-Lima. Pittsford Sutherland (No. 14 NYSSWA) started its postseason with a 2-1 victory over Aquinas in the quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye. The Knights then shutout Batavia 4-nil in semis to clinch a spot in the finals.
Total goals scored: Pittsford Mendon (48), Pittsford Sutherland (38)
Total goals allowed: Pittsford Mendon (13), Pittsford Sutherland (15)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Trends: Pittsford Mendon rolls into the championship victorious in four of its last five matchups, with three coming via shutout. In that stretch, the Vikings have outscored opponents 11-3. Pittsford Mendon started the season on a 11-game win streak. To go along with that, Mendon has recorded eight shutouts throughout the season and has not allowed more than two goals in a game all year. The Vikings have also netted three goals or more on 10 different occasions. Pittsford Sutherland heads into the finals with eight wins in its last nine outings. During that stretch, the Knights have outscored opponents 19-6 and have five shutouts. On the season, Sutherland has scored three goals or more on seven different occasions while allowing more than two just one time this year.
Regular season meetings: The cross-town rivals spit the season series with both teams getting wins on the road. Mendon won the first matchup on September 18th 2-1 while Sutherland grabbed a 1-nil victory on October 11th.
Players to watch for Pittsford Mendon: Colin Krohn Sr. F (14 G, 4 A); Benjamin Burrows Sr. F (12 G, 5 A); Naveen Sidhu Jr. F (8 G, 6 A); Evan Zavalo Sr. M (3 G, 12 A); Jackson Forney Jr. D (3 G, 1 A); Tyler Hurley Sr. M (2 G, 4 A); Madin Larose Jr. D (1 G, 1 A); Daniel Coyne Jr. D (1 G, 1 A); Sebastian Smith Sr. GK (15 saves, 5 GA); Nolan Rae Sr. GK (21 Saves, 3 GA); Carmen Esposito Jr. GK (20 saves, 5 GA)
Pittsford Sutherland: Max Morgenstern Jr. M (13 G, 5 A); Jack Woods Sr. M (7 G, 6 A); Aiden Hoy Sr. M (5 G, 6 A); Kristopher Mihalitsas Sr. D (4 G, 3 A); Oliver Simmons Sr. M (2 G, 2 A); Zephyr Garigen Jr. M (3 G, 1 A); Frank Mazzarella So. M (1 G, 2 A); Ryan Steeley Sr. D (1 G, 1 A); Joseph Arikkat Sr. D (1 G, 1 A); Joseph Derisi Jr. GK (60 saves, 7 GA)
Coaches: Mark Hurley (Pittsford Mendon), CJ Knapp (Pittsford Sutherland)
History 101: Pittsford Mendon is back in the sectional championship after falling 4-3 to Brockport in the 2024 Class A final. The Vikings are seeking their first sectional title since 2013 when they defeated Sutherland 2-1 in overtime and went on to win the program’s eighth NYS title. The Vikings have 21 sectional titles overall (second only to Red Creek in Section V history). Pittsford Sutherland looks to get revenge not only from 2013, but from 2024 as well after getting eliminated by Mendon on penalty kicks in the semifinals. The Knights are back in the championship for the first time since 2023 when they fell 2-0 to the eventual state champs Aquinas. Sutherland aims to grab a 12th title in school history and third in the last six years after going back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Boys’ Soccer Class A Far West Regional against the Section VI champion.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, October 31st at 5 p.m. at Webster Thomas High School.
Go Sutherland Knights!