One side is seeking its fourth straight Section V title and 14th all time. The other side looks for its fifth championship and to break a streak of three consecutive finals appearances without a win. For the fourth consecutive season, it’s Fairport vs. McQuaid in the Class AAA finals. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 3 seed FAIRPORT RED RAIDERS
(9-5-2/ Monroe County Division I)
No. 4 seed MCQUAID JESUIT KNIGHTS
(10-5-2/Rochester City Athletic Conference)
How they arrived here: Coming into sectionals as the No. 3 seed, Fairport defeated No. 6 WOIS/Edison/Padilla/SOTS 4-0 behind a hat trick from Brock Stephany. In the semi-finals, the Red Raiders knocked off No. 2 East/Monroe/SWW 4-0 as Drew Burton and Trevor Scoppa both scored twice. As for McQuaid, the Knights entered sectionals as the No. 4 seed and took down No. 5 Rush-Henrietta 4-1 in the opening round with Adam McLaren netting two. In the semis, McQuaid knocked off No. 1 Penfield 1-0 in overtime off a goal from TJ Parr, avenging a 1-0 loss at Penfield in the first game of the season.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Total goals scored: Fairport (28), McQuaid (38)
Total goals allowed: Fairport (12), McQuaid (15)
Trends: Fairport enters undefeated in five of its last six games, only giving up one goal in that stretch. The Red Raiders have earned eight shutouts this season, including both of their sectional matches, and with a win, would record its first three-game win streak of the year. Offensively, Fairport has scored at least three goals six times. McQuaid comes into the matchup victorious in seven of its last eight and undefeated in nine of the last ten. The Knights have recorded five shutouts and have netted at least three goals on six occasions.
Players to watch:
Fairport: Brock Stephany Jr. M (6 G, 7 A); Trevor Scoppa Sr. F(7 G, 2 A); Francesco Maniscalco Sr. F (5 G, 5 A); Ethan Torres Sr. D (2 A); Drew Burton Jr. D (1 G); Ryan Balsamo Jr. D; Jared Mulley Sr. G (.778 SV percentage)
McQuaid: Adam McLaren Jr. M (4 G, 3 A); TJ Parr Jr. M (4 G, 3 A); Chase Kurz Sr. F (4 G, 2 A); Dom Astuto Sr. M (2 G); Sawyer Damon Jr. G (1.22 GAA, 3 shutouts); Pierre Baraka Sr. F (2 G, 1 A)
Coaches: Bill Teasdale (Fairport), Jeff Oliver (McQuaid)
History 101: These two sides have met in each of the last three Class AAA finals, with Fairport winning on every occasion; 1-0 in ’23, 3-2 in ’24, and 4-1 in ’25. The two teams met in the 2019 Class AA final in which both teams were named co-sectional champions after tying 1-1 through regulation and overtime. Fairport though, did advance to the state tournament after winning the penalty shootout 6-5. Fairport also took down McQuaid in both the 2020 and 2021 Class AA semi-finals meaning this matchup has been played in six of the last seven sectionals, with the Red Raiders advancing each time. Fairport won its first ever state title in 2024 and last season returned to the state title game where they fell short, their only loss of the season. McQuaid is looking for its first sectional title since 2022 when they took down Brighton 1-0, McQuaid then made its way to the NYS championship game but fell to Scarsdale (I) 2-0.
What’s at Stake: A spot in the New York State Far West Regional against the Section VI champion.
Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, October 30th at 7:30 p.m. at Greece Athena High School.
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