One squad looks to make a second straight regional appearance while the other seeks to end a decade-plus drought. It’s Finger Lakes West versus Wayne County for a spot in the New York State Class C Far West Regional. Here’s the breakdown:
NAPLES BIG GREEN MACHINES
(17-0-0 / Finger Lakes West)
vs.
WILLIAMSON MARAUDERS
(14-5-1 / Wayne County)
How they arrived here: Naples (No. 1 NYSSWA) began its postseason with a 4-0 victory over No. 7 HAC in the quarterfinals. The Big Green Machines then defeated No. 3 Geneseo 4-0 in the semifinals and Kendall (2-0) for its 14th sectional championship in program history.
Williamson opened sectionals 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 before knocking off league rival East Rochester in overtime to take the C1 title.
Total goals scored: Williamson (67), Naples (103)
Total goals allowed: Williamson (20), Naples (6)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.
Trends: Naples has also only allowed more than one goal once this season and shut out its opponent in 12 of the 17 games they’ve played, including all three sectional games they have already played. The Big Green Machines have scored six or more goals in 10 different games.
Williamson has an 11-1-1 record in its past 13 games. The Marauders have shut out six of their last eight opponents.
Players to watch for Williamson: Ben Burns Sr. F (28 G, 12 A); Cohen Burggraaff Sr. F (10 G, 9 A); Brendon Burns So. F (8 G, 12 A); Andrew Petrosky Jr. M (8 G, 3 A); Eli Hillegeer Fr. M (4 G, 4 A); Caiden Watson So. D (2 G, 1 A); Caleb Zuniga Sr. GK (144 saves, 17 GA); Ryan Wagner Jr. GK (20 saves, 1 GA)
Naples: Connor Betrus Jr. (29 G, 12 A); Maddox Mannella Jr. (17 G, 15 A); Riccardo Izzo Sr. (16 G, 5 A); Oscar Austin Sr. (13 G, 24 A); Isaac Ward Sr. (10 G, 9 A); Joseph Christmas Sr. GK (39 saves, 6 GA); Oliver Stuck So. GK (1 save, 0 GA)
Coaches: Jon Betrus (Naples), Albert Ferland (Williamson)
History 101: Naples, which advanced to the Class D state semifinals a year ago is looking to clinch a fifth trip to a NYS Far West Regional. Williamson is looking to clinch a state quarterfinals appearance for the first time since 2013 when the Marauders made its third of three straight regional trips. In 2012 and 2013, Williamson reached the state semifinals.
What’s at stake: A spot in the state quarterfinal against Section VI champion, Wilson (19-0-0).
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm, Tuesday at Geneseo High School.
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