One team is looking for its third regional win program history. The other is trying to win its second state quarterfinal matchup this decade. Geneseo and Ellicottville-Frankville will meet on Saturday in the NYSPHSAA Class C regional championship. Here’s the breakdown:
GENESEO BLUE DEVILS
(17-1-1/Livingston County Athletic Association Division III)
vs.
ELLICOTTVILLE–FRANKLINVILLE EAGLES
(15-2-1/Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association)
How they arrived here: After receiving a first-round bye Geneseo (No. 9 NYSWWA) beat Kendall (2-1), Dundee/Hammondsport (4-0), Naples (2-1) and East Rochester (3-2) to clinch a spot in the state tournament. Ellicottville-Franklinville received a first round bye to start its playoff run. The Eagles then proceeded to beat Holland (7-1), Westfield-Brocton (3-0) and reigning NYS finalist (3-2) to book a spot in Saturday’s game.
Total goals scored: Geneseo (62), Ellicottville-Franklinville (78)
Total goals against: Geneseo (11), Ellicottville-Franklinville (19)
Trends: Geneseo has won 12 of its last 13 games. During that span, the Blue Devils have six shutouts. Geneseo started the year winning five straight and outscored their opponents 16-2 during that time. Over the course of the season, Geneseo has nine shutouts. The Blue Devils have 11 games where they have scored three or more goals this season. The Blue Devils have also not allowed more than two goals in a game all season. Ellicottville has won 12 of their last 13 games and during that stretch outscored opponents 59 to 13. The Eagles have a total of seven shutouts on the season. Ellicottville has allowed more than three goals in a game once this season and has scored more than three goals 12 times on the year.
Players to watch for Geneseo: Sam DiLaura Fr. F (13 G, 18 A); Ayaan Sheikh Jr. F (14 G, 10 A); Riley Ferguson Sr. D; Markus Schiener Jr. GK (11 GA, 9 SO); Benton Maloney Jr. M (5 G, 3 A); Jack DiLaura Jr. M (7 G, 9 A); Evan Sorge Jr. M (10 G, 2 A); Gavin Gerace Jr. F (8 G, 3 A)
Players to watch for Ellicottville-Franklinville: Tosh Klein Sr. F (23 G, 20 A); Holden Basher Jr. M (21 G, 16 A); Jaxon LaCroix Sr. M (7 G, 4 A); Coleman Carls Sr. M (6 G, 6 A); Rian Johnson Jr. F (4G; 8 A) Teddy Edwards Sr. M (4 G, 5 A); George Dick Jr. GK
Coaches: Chris Masters (Geneseo), Matt Finn (Ellicotville-Franklinville)
History 101: Geneseo is back in the regional round for the first time since 2018, when the Blue Devils beat Randolph 1-0. This will be the fourth appearance in regionals for Geneseo with a record of 2-1. This is the sixth time in school history that Ellicottville has made it to the regional round (first as a combined program with Franklinville) including four straight from 2021-2024. Ellicottville is 1-4-1 in regional action. This will be the Eagles’ first time playing in the Class C regionals after previously appearing in Class D. Saturday’s game will mark the first postseason matchup between the two programs.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to the NYSPHSAA Class C semifinals to face either Greenville (2) or Northern Adirondack (VII).
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, 5 p.m. at Geneseo High School.
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