Geneseo enters unbeaten in 15 straight, including three consecutive one-goal victories. Greenville has won six in a row since a 6-0 late-season loss. Both sides hope to ride a semi-final win to a first ever NYS title. It’s No. 1 vs No. 3 in Class C. Here’s the breakdown:
NYS No. 3 GENESEO BLUE DEVILS
(19-1-1/Livingston County Athletic Association Division III)
vs.
NYS No. 1 GREENVILLE SPARTANS
(17-3-1/Patroon Conference)
How they arrived here: After winning the Section V title, Geneseo defeated Ellicottville/Franklinville 1-0 in the regional round to advance to the semi-finals for the third time in school history. Evan Sorge scored the lone goal for Geneseo and the Blue Devils defense shutout an E/F side that entered averaging over four goals per game. Following a Section 2 title, Greenville took down Burke Catholic 4-3 in the regional qualifier (IX). In the state quarterfinal, the Spartans beat Northern Adirondack (VII) 2-1, as Alex Ingalls scored both goals, including the double overtime winner.
Total goals scored: Geneseo (69), Greenville (85)
Total goals allowed: Geneseo (14), Greenville (27)
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM STEVEN TWARDZIK.
Trends: Geneseo has won 14 of its last 15 games, outscoring opponents 53-11 in that span. The Blue Devils have 10 shutouts on the season, and have scored at least three goals on 12 occasions, with a high point in a 9-1 win against Mount Morris. Greenville enters as victors in six straight, starting in the opening round of sectionals, and 10 of their last 11. During the six game win streak, they have outscored their opposition 21-6. The Spartans recorded nine shutouts and have scored at least three goals 13 times including a 13-0 win over Scotia-Glenville.
Players to watch:
Geneseo: Sam DiLaura Fr. F (13 G, 18 A); Ayaan Sheikh Jr. F (16 G, 11 A); Riley Ferguson Sr. D (1 G); Benton Maloney Jr. M (5 G, 5 A); Jack DiLaura Jr. M (7 G, 10 A); Evan Sorge Jr. M (12 G, 2 A); Gavin Gerace Jr. F (7 G, 3 A);Markus Schiener Jr. GK (14 GA, 10 SO)
Greenville: Christopher Hughes Sr. F (23 G, 17 A); Alex Ingalls Jr. F (20 G, 11 A); Isaac McAneny Sr. F (8 G, 11 A); Taibi Anthony Jr. F (5 G, 4 A); James Fowles So. F (6 G, 1 A); Ben Johnstone Jr. F (3 G, 2 A)
Coaches: Chris Masters (Geneseo), Jared McAneny (Greenville)
History 101: This is the third all-time semi-final appearance for Geneseo, with the two prior occurring in 2015 and 2018. In 2015, the Blue Devils fell to The Leffell School (I) 1-0 and in 2018 defeated SS Seward (IX) 5-1 before losing in the finals to Lansing (IV) 3-0. This is the second final four appearance for Greenville, with the other coming in 2015. That year the Spartans fell 6-0 to eventual champions Notre Dame (IV). Section V has a 19-14-2 all-time record vs Section 2 in the state tournament, including advancing on the two games that went to penalties. Both sides are searching for a first ever NYS title.
What’s at stake: The winner will face either Cooperstown (III) or North Salem (I) in the state championship on Sunday, November 15th at 1:00 p.m. at Middletown High School.
Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, November 14th at 3:15 p.m. at Middletown High School.
More history: Since the inception of the NYSPHSAA Boys’ Soccer Tournament in 1978, Section V sides have won 48 of the 204 titles (23 percent) contested. Of those, 35 have been outright. Pittsford Mendon leads the way with six such NYS titles followed by Red Creek (4) and Aquinas (4). Fillmore, Holley, Naples, Penfield and Pittsford Sutherland have all won two titles apiece with another 11 schools bringing home one outright state crown: Bath-Haverling, Bloomfield, Cardinal Mooney, Fairport, Gates-Chili, Greece Arcadia, Greece Athena, Hilton, Jasper-Troupsburg, Marion, McQuaid Jesuit and Northstar Christian. Pittsford Mendon (3), Red Creek (2), Fillmore, Gates Chili, Greece Arcadia, Jasper-Troupsburg, Livonia, Marion, Penfield and Pittsford Sutherland have all shared at least one title.
Cornell University hosted the first NYS tournament that was competed at three classifications (A, B and C). Class D was added in 1980, AA in 2004 and AAA in 2023. Fairport took the AAA title in its second year in its existence. Two Section V teams (Penfield ’04 and McQuaid ’17) have won outright Class AA titles while Section V teams have combined to win 11 Class A championships, 14 Class B, 11 Class C and seven Class D titles.
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