Girls’ Soccer NYS Semifinal Preview: Aquinas, New Hartford to battle in Class A

One squad is making its first NYS semifinal appearance since 2017. The other looks to reach the NYS title game for the second year in a row. Aquinas and New Hartford will battle on Saturday for a spot in the state championship. Here’s the breakdown:

AQUINAS LI’L IRISH (19-1-0 / Private/Parochial)
vs.
NEW HARTFORD SPARTANS (17-1-1 / VL Colonial)
Saturday, Cortland HS, 2:30 p.m.

How they arrived here: Aquinas opened the postseason with a win over Bishop Kearney/Chesterton/HAC (6-0), before beating Batavia (6-1) and Pittsford Sutherland (1-0) to claim the Section V Class A championship. The Li’l Irish then beat Starpoint (3-0) to reach the NYS Semifinal. New Hartford took down Indian River (7-2), Chittenango (8-2) and Jamesville-DeWitt to win the Section III title. The Spartans then took down Maine-Endwell (4-0), setting up their second straight semifinal appearance.

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.

Total goals scored: Aquinas (86), New Hartford (135)

Total goals allowed: Aquinas (8), New Hartford (15)

Aquinas enters the matchup on a seven-game winning streak. The Li’l Irish have collected five shutouts and outscored their opponents 28-2 during that span. New Hartford has won four in a row, outscoring the opposition 24-4 in that span.

Players to watch for Aquinas: Sienna Fallone Jr. (32 G, 17 A); Jaden Deming Jr. (15 G, 12 A); Savannah Sweet Sr. (15 G, 4 A); Julianna Shannon Sr. (13 G, 1 A); Bella Muratore Sr. (3 G, 14 A); Samantha Marmo So. D (2 G, 10 A); Talia Norton Sr. CB; Vivi Oliveri Sr. CB (1 A); Briar Hinds So. GK (108 saves, 7 goals allowed).

New Hartford: Raiyah Patterson So. (29 G, 12 A); Elizabeth Rayhill Jr. (22 G, 12 A); Maddie Traux (20 G, 26 A); Mikayla Jaros Sr. (9 G, 8 A), Bria Nackley So. (9 G, 7 A); Evie Ruggiero Sr. (56 saves, 11 goals allowed).

Coaches: Adam Schwartz (Aquinas), Bethany Traux (New Hartford)

History 101: Aquinas is in the NYS semifinal for the first time since 2017. That year, the Li’l Irish shared the Class B championship with Westhill (III). New Hartford is facing a Section V team in the NYS tournament for the second-straight year. Last year, the Spartans reached the title game, but fell to Pittsford Mendon 4-1.

What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Championship against the winner of Schalmont (II) and Rye (I).