One squad looks to win its fourth sectional title since 2019. Another is in pursuit of its second title in the past 12 years. It’s a battle of Wayne Count powers when East Rochester and Williamson clash for the championship. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed EAST ROCHESTER BOMBERS
(17-0-1 / Wayne County)
vs.
No. 6 seed WILLIAMSON MARAUDERS
(13-5-1 / Wayne County)
How they arrived here: After earning a first-round bye, top-seeded East Rochester (No. 5 NYSSWA) defeated No. 8 Addison Central 4-0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Bombers once again shut out their opponent, taking down No. 4 Avon 2-0. Williamson did not earn a bye, beginning its postseason with a 3-0 victory over No. 11 Pavilion/York in the first round. The Marauders then defeated the 2024 Class C1 runner-up No. 3 Byron-Bergen/Elba 2-0 in the quarterfinals. An overtime goal from Joey VanLare propelled Williamson past No. 2 Sodus in the semifinals, giving them a 1-0 win.
Total goals scored: East Rochester (86), Williamson (65)
Total goals allowed: East Rochester (8), Williamson (19)
Trends: East Rochester comes into the championship winning its past 16 games. The only game that the Bombers didn’t win was a 1-1 tie against Charles G. Finney on Sept. 5. East Rochester hasn’t allowed more than one goal in a game all season, shutting out their opponents in 10 of the 18 games they’ve played. in their last nine games, they’ve outscored opponents 49-1. Williamson rolls into the championship with a 10-1-1 record in its last 12 games. The Marauders have shut out the last four teams they’ve played and six of their last seven.
Regular season meetings: East Rochester went 2-0 against Williamson in the regular season, taking down the Marauders 3-1 on Sept. 22 and again on Oct. 15 by a score of 2-1.
Players to watch for East Rochester: Sean Hogan Sr. MF (21 G, 21 A); Judah Tanner Sr. F (19 G, 11 A); Perry Francis Sr. MF (12 G, 12 A); Sean Lewis Jr. F (12 G, 7 A); Xander Boldt Jr. F (4 G, 8 A); Joseph Rountree So. F (5 G, 2 A); Tristan Wollschleger So. MF (3 G, 4 A); Alexis Diaz Sr. F (4 G); Steven McCann Sr. GK (56 saves, 7 GA)
Williamson: Ben Burns Sr. F (28 G, 11 A); Cohen Burggraaff Sr. F (10 G, 9 A); Brendon Burns So. F (8 G, 12 A); Andrew Petrosky Jr. MF (7 G, 3 A); Eli Hillegeer Fr. MF (4 G, 4 A); Caleb Zuniga Sr. GK (144 saves, 17 GA); Ryan Wagner Jr. GK (20 saves, 1 GA)
Coaches: Matt Lafontaine (East Rochester), Albert Ferland (Williamson)
History 101: East Rochester is back in the Class C1 championship, looking to defend its title after beating Byron-Bergen/Elba 3-2 in the 2024 championship game. The Bombers eventually fell to Kendall 3-0 in the regional qualifier. East Rochester won the Class C1 championship in back-to-back years in 2019 and 2020. The Bombers are looking for their seventh title in program history. Williamson is looking for its second title since 2014. The Marauders won the Class C1 title in 2021, defeating Geneseo 3-1 in the title game. They also beat East Rochester in the quarterfinals that year, defeating them in overtime 2-1. The Marauders eventually lost to Keshequa 4-0 in the Class C state qualifier. Williamson is searching for its 11th title in program history.
What’s at stake: A spot in the Boys’ Soccer Class C regional qualifier against the Class C2 champion.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m. at Honeoye Falls-Lima Central High School.
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