One team is making a third straight trip to regionals and looking for a program-first win while the other has reached the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history. Hornell and Lafayette International will meet with a spot in the NYS Class B semifinals on the line. Here’s the breakdown:
HORNELL RED RAIDERS
(17-0-2 / Livingston County Athletic Association)
vs.
LAFAYETTE INTERNATIONAL GENERALS
(17-2-1 / Buffalo Division I)
How they arrived here: After earning a first-round bye in the Section V sectional playoffs, Hornell (No. 1 NYSSWA) kicked off the playoffs with a 5-0 shutout over Palmyra-Macedon in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Red Raiders again shut out their opponent, winning 2-0 over Livonia. In the championship against Le Roy/Caledonia-Mumford, Hornell won 2-1. Lafayette (No. 4 NYSSWA) began its postseason with a 16-0 win over Salamanca. In the quarterfinals, The Generals took down Tonawanda 3-0 to advance to the semifinals where they beat Medina 2-1. In the championship, they beat Springville 4-1.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Total goals scored: Hornell (69), Lafayette (86)
Total goals allowed: Hornell (5), Lafayette (19)
Trends: Hornell comes into the game winners in each of its last eight contests, outscoring opponents 30-1 in that span. The Red Raiders have only allowed one goal in their last 10 contests, dating back to Sept. 27. Lafayette has outscored its opponents 25-2 in the four sectional games they played and have won nine of their last 10 games.
Players to watch for Hornell: Cody Cardamone Jr. (2 G, 6 A); Anatole Colson Fr. (4 G, 6 A); Demayne Dixon Sr. (6 G, 1 A); Wyatt Evingham Sr. (24 G, 15 A); Ryan Harkenrider Sr. (1 G, 4 A); Marco Picco Sr. (11 G, 6 A); Gabriel Rasephei Sr. (8 G, 5 A); Jayden Rasephei Sr. (9 G, 4 A); Aquiles Souza Jr. (2 G, 2 A). Alfie Whiteley Sr. GK (41 saves, 3 goals allowed in 1,340 minutes played).
Lafayette: Eca Kabeza Jr. F (18 G, 12 A); Fredy Sanclemente Jr. F (14 G, 5 A); Kaleab Kahasay Fr. MF (8 G, 2 A); Nagalele Asende So. MF (7 G, 12 A); Dieu Merci Samuel Jr. F (7 G, 1 A); Bienvenue Donatien Jr. MF (6 G, 2 A); Hassan Maonewa Jr. D (4 G, 13 A)
Coaches: Jim Tobin (Hornell), Brad Brodnicki (Lafayette)
History 101: Making a fourth regional appearance in program history, Hornell is looking for its first win in the state quarterfinals. The Red Raiders have dropped the past two regional matchups to East Aurora (the Blue Devils went on to win the state title in 2023) and fell to Newfane in 2006, 2-1. Lafayette International is making its first regional appearance in program history.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class B semifinals against either Ogdensburg Free Adacemy (X) or Chenango Valley (IV).
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8 at West Seneca West High School.
*Preview has been updated.
Leave a Reply