One team is looking to win a third title in six years while the other a second championship in four years. Familiar foes meet as Wayne County League faces the Genesee Region when East Rochester faces Byron-Bergen/Elba in the Section V Class C1 title game. Here’s the breakdown:
No. 1 seed EAST ROCHESTER BOMBERS
(16-1-0/ Wayne County)
vs.
No. 2 seed BYRON-BREGEN/ELBA BEES
(16-0-2/ Genesee Region)
How they arrived here: After receiving a first-round bye top-seeded East Rochester (No. 1 NYSSWA) started its playoff push with a shutout against No. 8 Lyndonville/Barker 1-0. In the semifinals East Rochester had another shutout and got revenge on No. 4 Williamson after losing to them in the final last year. Byron-Bergen (No. 4 NYSSWA) kicked off its playoff run with a 1-nil quarterfinal win over No. 7 Bishop Kearney/Chesterton. In the following game, Byron-Bergen faced No. 3 seeded Holley and won off an overtime goal to clinch a spot in the finals.
Total goals scored: East Rochester (40), Byron-Bergen/Elba (54)
Total goals allowed: East Rochester (10), Byron-Bergen/Elba (10)
Trends: East Rochester is coming into the final off a nine-game win streak, six of which were shutouts. The Bombers started their season on a seven-game win streak and didn’t allow a goal for their first three matches. East Rochester has not allowed more than two goals in a game all season. On top of that, the Bombers have netted three or more goals seven times on the year. Byron-Bergen/Elba have not lost a game all season and have won 12 straight games. The Bees started the year, winning four out of their first six games. During that stretch, the Bees outscored their opponents 35-5. Byron Bergen has 11 shutouts on the year and has not allowed more than two goals in a game all season. To go along with that, the Bees have scored three or more goals in a game 10 different times this year.
Players to watch for East Rochester: Eliot Marino Sr. CB (3 G, 14 A); Sean Lewis Sr. M (10 G, 6 A); Tristan Wollschleger Jr. M (5 G, 5 A); Xander Boldt Sr. F (9 G, 2 A); Alex Eaton Sr. F (4 G); Thomas Sowinski Jr. GK (10 SO); Joe Rountree Jr. F (5 G)
Players to watch for Byron-Bergen/Elba: Cody Carlson Sr. M (17 G, 7 A); Brayden Gelsomino Sr. M (5 G, 8 A); Evan Phillips Jr. M (8 G, 4 A); Xavier Vargas Jr. ST (14 G, 1 A); Sawyer Gale Jr. W (4 G, 5 A); Joe Brumstead Sr. D; Alex Mendoza Sr. D; Mason Farner Jr. M (2 G, 5 A); Michael Rogoyski Jr. GK (10 GA, 11 SO)
Coaches: Matt LaFontaine (East Rochester), Kenneth Rogoyski (Byron-Bergen/Elba)
History 101: East Rochester returns to the Class C1 title after falling short to Williamson 2-1 last year. The Bombers are looking for their seventh title and third of the decade. The Bombers beat No. 2 Byron-Bergen/Elba 3-2 in the 2024 C1 title game. Byron-Bergen/Elba has 11 sectional titles (nine as Byron-Bergen two while combined with Elba). The Bees topped ER in the 2023 C1 final, 1-0.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to play either Geneseo or Naples in the Class C state qualifier.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, October 31 at 2:30 p.m. at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School.
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