Between them, they have combined for 27 regional appearances since the state tournament began in 1979. Pittsford Mendon and East Aurora meet for the third time in the elite eight. Here’s the breakdown:
PITTSFORD MENDON VIKINGS
(16-2-0 / Monroe County Division III)
vs.
EAST AURORA BLUE DEVILS
(18-2-0 / ECIC Conference 2 Red Division)
How they arrived here: After earning a first-round bye in the Section V sectional playoffs, Pittsford Mendon (No. 2 NYSSWA) kicked off the playoffs with a 3-0 shutout over Palmyra-Macedon in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, a late-game goal lifted the Vikings to the championship in a 3-2 victory against Honeoye Falls-Lima. In the championship against Pittsford Sutherland, Colin Krohn scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win. East Aurora (No. 6 NYSSWA) began its postseason with a 12-0 win over Maryvale in the Class A2 quarterfinals. In the semifinals, The Blue Devils took down Lackawanna 4-1 to advance to the championship where they shutout Lewiston Porter 3-0. In the regional qualifier, their game against Grand Island was postponed due to lightning on Tuesday, resuming Wednesday with East Aurora taking home a 2-1 win.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Total goals scored: Pittsford Mendon (49), East Aurora (93)
Total goals allowed: Pittsford Mendon (13), East Aurora (12)
Trends: Pittsford Mendon comes into the game winners in five of its last six contests, outscoring opponents 12-3 in that span. The Vikings started the season on a 11-game win streak. To go along with that, Mendon has recorded nine 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. After dropping the first game of the season, East Aurora has gone 18-1, outscoring opponents 92-10 in that span. The Blue Devils also haven’t allowed more than two goals in a game all year and have shut out their opponent in 12 of the 20 games they’ve played.
Last time they met in the postseason: Mendon beat East Aurora, 1-0 in the 2013 NYS Class A Far West Regional.
Players to watch for Pittsford Mendon: Colin Krohn Sr. F (15 G, 4 A); Benjamin Burrows Sr. F (12 G, 6 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 (24 saves, 5 GA)
East Aurora: Owen Mack Sr. F (16 G, 9 A); Lucas Jamesson Jr. MF (12 G, 12 A); Noah Bernys Jr. MF (9 G, 3 A); Kai Sendziak Sr. D (8 G, 15 A); Bronson Besant Jr. F (8 G, 6 A); Archer Green Sr. F (7 G, 5 A); Nicky Carl Jr. F (5 G, 3 A)
Coaches: Mark Hurley (Pittsford Mendon), Kevin Beale (East Aurora)
History 101: Pittsford Mendon won its 22nd sectional title in program history but first since 2013 when the Vikings went on to share the NYS Class A championship. The Vikings are 10-2-2 all-time in state quarterfinal matchups with the two losses coming in 1994 (Williamsville East 0-1) and 1984 (Clarence 0-2). Mendon is 2-and-O in regional matchups with East Aurora having beaten the Blue Devils, as previously mentioned, in 2013 (1-0) and then in 1979 (2-0).
East Aurora, winners of 23 Section VI championships, is making its 14th regional appearance with an overall record of 5-6-2 in the state quarterfinals. The Blue Devils are looking to clinch a sixth trip in 11 years to state semis having advanced to the final four in 2014, ’15, ’18, ’23 and ’24. East Aurora defeated Hornell in the Class B regional the past two seasons.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class A semifinals against either New Hartford (III) or Maine-Endwell (IV).
Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at West Seneca West High School.
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