By PAUL GOTHAM
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — Lucas Jamesson and Owen Mack finished with a goal and an assist apiece as Section VI champion East Aurora (21-2-0) defeated Rye (18-2-3), 2-0 in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) championship game from Middletown High School on Sunday afternoon.
The state title was the second in three years for the Blue Devils who claimed the Class B crown in 2023.
Jamesson gave East Aurora an early lead with an assist from Mack.
The duo combined again midway through the second half on a give-and-go inside Rye’s 18-yard box with Jamesson freeing Mack for a 1v1 opportunity that he slotted into the side netting.
Charlie Finnerty made nine saves for the shutout. The clean sheet was the third straight for the Blue Devils’ defense and fourth in the past five games.
East Aurora defeated Maine-Endwell (IV), 2-0 in Saturday’s semifinal. The victory was the first for East Aurora at the Class A level in the state final four. Mack and Noah Bernys both had a goal in Saturday’s win.
The Blue Devils have won 18 sectional titles, 15 under current head coach Kevin Beale who became the all-time wins leader for coaches in Section VI Boys’ Soccer history last season. Beale has guided EA to 458 wins in his 29 seasons at the helm.
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