Girls’ Soccer NYS Semifinal Preview: Byron-Bergen and Tuckahoe to battle in Class C

One team is looking to win back-to-back state titles while the other seeks a program first. Byron-Bergen and Section I champion Tuckahoe will meet with a spot in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class C championship game on the line. Here’s the breakdown:

BYRON-BERGEN BEES 
(19-2-0 / Genesee Region)
vs.
TUCKAHOE TIGERS
(9-4-4Section I)
Saturday, Homer High School, 2:30 p.m.

How they arrived here: Byron-Bergen (No. 2 NYSSWA) beat Caledonia-Mumford (6-1), Bloomfield (3-0) and top-seeded Kendall (1-0) to claim the Section V Class C2 championship. The Bees then downed Holley 4-0 to reach the Far West Regional and topped Wilson 5-0 to reach the NYS Class C semifinals. Tuckahoe (No. 4 NYSSWA) downed North Salem (4-1) to claim the Section I Class C title. The Tigers topped Groton (4-2) in the quarterfinals to reach the NYS Class C semifinals.

Total goals scored: Byron-Bergen (114), Tuckahoe (61).

Total goals allowed: Byron-Bergen (18), Tuckahoe (46).

Trends: Byron-Bergen has won 13 in a row and posted eight clean sheets during that stretch.

Players to watch for Byron-Bergen: Mia Gray Sr. University of Florida commit (46 goals/leads Section V, 24 assists/Section V leader with 107 points/Section V career active leader with 191 goals); Grace DiQuattro Sr. (30 goals, 26 assists); Elizabeth Starowitz Sr. (14 goals, 21 assists); Anastasia Kuszlyk 8th (15 goals, 7 assists); Rylee Burch Jr. (70 saves, 18 goals allowed, 0.9 GAA); Ava Goff Sr.; Emma Mathews Jr.; Lucy Rea So.; Megan Jarkiewicz.

Players to watch for Tuckahoe: Chloe Angello GK; Isabella Carinci; Julianna Manginelli; Brooke Matarazzo (scored three goals in win over North Salem); Ava Rogliano.

Coaches: Wayne Hill (Byron-Bergen), Stephanie Martino (Tuckahoe)

History 101: Byron-Bergen is looking to win back-to-back state titles after topping Stillwater (2-0) in last year’s final. After winning consecutive Section I championships, the Tigers are in search of their first state crown.

What’s at stake: A spot in the Class C NYS final against the winner of Stillwater (II) and Burke Catholic (IX).