A pair of Livingston County Athletic Association sides will battle for the Section V Class B2 championship. Livonia aims to win a 14th sectional title in program history and third of the decade as Haverling looks to win an 18th title and third of the decade. The top two seeds of Class B2 are set to go head-to-head. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed LIVONIA BULLDOGS
(14-1-1/ Livingston County Division I)
vs.
No. 2 seed HAVERLING RAMS
(13-2/ Livingston County Division II)
How they arrived here: After Livonia earned a first round bye, the top seed (No. 4 NYSSWA) started the playoffs with a 6-0 win over No. 8 Sodus in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Livonia earned its spot in the championship after beating No. 5 Mynderse 5-2. Haverling (No. 11 NYSSWA) started its postseason run with a 6-0 shutout over No. 7 North Rose-Wolcott after receiving a first round bye. Haverling continued to play shutout ball in the semifinals with a 6-nil victory over No. 3 Wayland Cohocton.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Total goals scored: Livonia (61), Haverling (80)
Total goals allowed: Livonia (9), Haverling (12)
Trends: Livonia has won 10 of its last 11 games, seven of which came from a shutout. During that span, Livonia has outscored their opponents 39-6. The Bulldogs have only let up more than three goals in a game once this season and have 13 total shutouts on the year. Livonia averages 3.4 goals per game and has scored more than three goals eight times this year. Haverling has won its past seven games. The Rams have not allowed a goal in five games and have only allowed one goal during their win streak. Haverling has allowed more than two goals just twice on the year and have outscored their opponents 80-12 on the year. Haverling has scored more than three goals in a game 12 times this season.
Players to watch for Livonia: Gavyn Phillips Sr. F (27 G, 7 A); Grant Francis Sr. F (13 G, 10 A); Lincoln Richardson So. M (7 G, 10 A); Lars Kovach Sr. M (1 G, 9 A); Nate Brown Sr. M (1 G, 1 A); Max Roberts Jr. D (1 G, 2 A); Oliver Taylor Jr. GK (75 saves, 8 GA)
Players to watch for Haverling: Connor Binkowski Jr. F (35 G, 9 A); Callum Hill 8th Grade F (12 G, 30 A); Seth Rounds Jr. M (16 G, 6 A); Josh Wheeler Jr. M (7 G, 5 A); Jackson Derick Sr. D (1 G); Lukas Wightman Sr. GK (50 saves, 8 GA); Caleb Lyke Sr. D (11 SO)
Coaches: Ryan Humphrey (Livonia), Matt Hill (Haverling)
History 101: Livonia is back in the Section V championship for the first time in four years under first-year head coach Ryan Humphrey. The Bulldogs beat the top seeded Hornell 1-0 to win the 2022 Class B1 final. Livonia has 14 sectional titles in total (T-5 in Section V history). Haverling returns to the sectional championship for the first time since 2021. That year The Rams beat out No. 6 Wayland-Cohocton 9-2 in the class B2 sectional final and went on to reach the NYS final, falling short to Skaneateles in the final. Haverling is looking to win its 19th sectional title (fourth most in Section V history) and third in the past six years after going back-to-back in 2020 and ’21. This will be the two teams first time facing each other this season.
What’s at stake: A spot in the boys’ soccer Class B state qualifier against the B1 champion either Penn Yan or Aquinas.
Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Dansville High School.
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