State semifinal preview: Northstar and Cincinnatus to battle in Class D

One team is making program history with its first state semifinals’ appearance. The other is looking for its second straight finals appearance. Northstar and defending Class D champions Cincinnatus are slated to battle in the semifinals. Here’s the breakdown:

NORTHSTAR KNIGHTS
(16-2-1 / Private/Parochial)
vs.
CINCINNATUS RED LIONS/III
(19-0-0 / Central Counties Division)

How they arrived here: Northstar Christian defeated Andover (5-0), Avoca-Prattsburgh 1-0, and Notre Dame-Batavia (1-0) to reach the state tournament before beating Ellicottville (5-0) to clinch a spot in the semifinals. Cincinnatus cruised past Poland (5-0), Faith Heritage (5-0), Hamilton (2-1) to reach the state tournament before beating Chateaugay (3-1) in regionals. 

Total goals scored: Northstar (67), Cincinnatus (110)

Total goals against: Northstar (12), Cincinnatus (7)

VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM LAURA ACCIAIO.

Trends: Northstar enters the quarterfinals on a 10-game winning streak which includes 10 straight shutout wins. The Knights have a total of 13 shutouts on the season and haven’t allowed a goal since September. Cincinnatus has a total of 12 shutout victories in its perfect season. The Red Lions scored 60 goals in the month of October. 

Players to watch for Northstar: Allie Skeval Sr. F (23 G, 36 A); Kayla Irwin Jr. F/M (21 G, 11 A); Alisha Demarest  Sr. CM/GK (32 points, 0.73 GAA); Elliana Kaiser Sr. CB (five goals); Gianna Grape 8^th GK (eight shutouts).

Players to watch for Cincinnatus: Jocelyn Turshman Sr. (31 G, 34 A); Payton Landers Sr. (36 G, five A); Kendall Sustad Jr. (15 G, 11 A); Sophia Pittsley 8^th (seven G, nine A); Jelsie Stafford Sr. (two G, 17 A).

Coaches: Andrea Demarest (Northstar), Lisa Sustad (Cincinnatus)

History 101: This will be the first time any Northstar girls’ teams has been in the state semifinal round. This is a fifth straight state semifinals appearance for Cincinnatus, with a 3-1 record in those matchups. The Red Lions have won the Class D state finals twice in the past three years. 

What’s at stake: The winner advances to the NYSPHAA Class D final to face either Lisbon (X AL) or Chazy (VII).

Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. at Moravia High School.

*Preview has been updated to reflect schedule change.