Girls’ Soccer NYS Semifinal Preview: Fillmore takes on Cincinnatus for spot in Class D final

One team is making its third final four appearance in five years while the other will appear in its fourth straight state semifinal. Fillmore and Cincinnatus will meet with a spot in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) in the Class D championship game on the line. Here’s the breakdown:

FILLMORE EAGLES 
(19-1-0 / Allegany County I)
vs.
CINCINNATUS LIONS 
(18-2-0/Central Counties/Section III)
Saturday, Homer High School, 9:30 a.m.

How they arrived here: Fillmore (No. 2 NYSSWA) downed Notre Dame Batavia (2-1) and Avoca-Prattsburgh (5-0) to reach the Section V Class D final. The Eagles then beat Northstar Christian (2-0) to capture the Section V title and Franklinville (10-0) in the quarterfinals to advance to the Class D NYS semifinal. Cincinnatus (No. 1 NYSSWA) topped La Fargeville (5-0) to claim the Section III Class D title. The Lions topped Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young (2-0) to reach the Class D NYS semifinal.

Total goals scored: Fillmore (97), Cincinnatus (121)

Total goals allowed: Fillmore (13), Cincinnatus (8)

Trends: Fillmore enters the matchup on a 15-game winning streak. The Eagles have shut out opponents 12 times during that span. Cincinnatus has won eight in a row and outscored opponents by a combined total of 48-1 during that stretch.

Players to watch for Fillmore: Morghyn Ross Sr. MF/F (19 G, 9 A); Tenlee Miller So. F (18 G, 9 A); Kallie Pastorius So. F/D (17 G, 29 A); Abby Earley So. F/MF (12 G, 6 A); Mylee Miller Jr. MF/D (12 G, 14 A); Kelsie Songster Jr. GK (28 saves, 13 goals against).

Players to watch for Cincinnatus: Navaeh Billings Jr. F (6 G, 5 A); Hannah Ellerson Jr. GK (54 saves, 7 GA); Lucy Finch Sr. F (8 G, 4 A); Payton Gerrard Sr. D (5 G, 7 A); Payton Landers Jr. F (27 G, 11 A); Jelsie Stafford Jr. Mid (8 G, 14 A); Kendall Sustad So. Mid (21 G, 5 A); Jocelyn Turshman Jr. Mid (25 G, 21 A).

CINCINNATUS PLAYER DATA COURTESY OF HIGHSCHOOLSPORTSSTATS.COM.

Coaches: Jon Beardsley (Fillmore) Lisa Sustad (Cincinnatus)

History 101: Cincinnatus defeated Fillmore, 3-0 in the 2023 NYS Class D final. Fillmore is making its third state semifinal appearance since 2021. Cincinnatus is appearing in its fourth straight final four.

What’s at stake: A spot in Sunday’s NYS Class D final against the winner of Chazy (VII) and Fort Ann (II).