12:10 p.m.: Bronxville is up 1-0 on East Aurora in the Class B final with 17 minutes left in the game. Brian Rogers scored midway through the first half on a fluke play. The goalie hit him in the chest with a clear and then Rogers knocked the loose ball in.

Also, North Salem leads Red Creek 1-0 in the first half of the Class C final. Mike Cuzzi scored for the Tigers. Brian Span had the assist. It was scored 15 minutes into the game.

12:23 p.m.: Ryan Fisher scored for Red Creek on a free kick to tie the score 1-1 with six minutes left in the half. That’s the score now as North Salem and Red Creek enter halftime.

12:46 p.m.: Bronxville wins the Class B state championship 2-0 over East Aurora. For the Broncos, it is the first state championship in program history.

Rogers, a senior, scored the clincher on a breakaway with a minute to play. East Aurora was pushing out for the tying goal, and Rogers scored on the counterattack.

1:09 p.m.: North Salem now trails Red Creek 3-1 with 8:30 to play in the game. The Tigers need a rally.

Harrison should start its Class A final shortly.

1:11 p.m.: Well, well, well. Brian Span just scored with seven minutes left to cut the deficit to 3-2. North Salem has a chance…

1:19 p.m.: Well, folks, it’s over upstate. North Salem fought, but ultimately fell 4-2 to Red Creek in the Class C final.

Section 1 is 1 for 2 today. Harrison will try to make it 2 for 3.

2:15 p.m.: Not looking great for Harrison so far. Comsewogue has a lot of talent up front, and it shows. The Huskies almost got out of the first half scoreless, but with 4:35 to go Comsewogue went up 1-0. Josh Butzke’s shot hit the bottom of the crossbar and dropped in front where Keith Vigorito tapped it in.

2:45 p.m.: With 27 mins left in the second half, Comsewogue still holds a 1-0 lead. Their was collision near the end of the 1st half between Andres Fonseca and a Comsewogue player. Tempers flaired but no fighting but it looks as if Fonseca was given a Red or Yellow Card, which puts him out of the game, and leaves the Huskies a man down, playing with 10 on the field. More information about the incident will come in as soon as we get it.

2:50 p.m.: Comsewogue has added an insurance goal to make it 2-0 with only 20 minutes left. With only 10 on the field, Harrison is facing an uphill challenge to rally for two goals. They seem to be struggling just to get the ball out of their zone.

3:00 p.m.: Harrison is now down 3-0, Comsewogue just scored again, there is 12 mins left.

Sorry everyone, the “hotel” I’m staying at is having major internet problems so I can’t be online for long. Let’s just say it ain’t the Ritz Carlton.

The essentials of semifinal Saturday are that Harrison won 2-0, Bronxville won 4-1, and North Salem won in penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie. All are moving on to tomorrow’s championships at 1:30 p.m., 11 a.m., and 11:40 a.m. respectively.

John Jay-East Fishkill lost 2-0.

Briarcliff vs. Livonia Class B state championship

Final: Briarcliff 5, Livonia 1

The Bears repeat as state champs.

Update 4: It’s 4-0 Briarcliff at the half. Liana Cornacchio and Katie Weiner scored off Katie Underwood corner kicks.

Update 3: Danielle Christiano has just scored to make it 2-0.

Update 2: Gabriela De Frutos scores off a rebound for Briarcliff eight minutes into the game.

Update 1: Jeff Gold reports the game will start a bit later — around 1:15 p.m. — because Livonia showed up wearing the wrong uniforms. Jeff also said its is now raining steadily at Homer High School.

Rye vs. South Side Class A state championship

Final: Rye 1, South Side 0

The Garnets hold on to win the state title

Update 2: Alex Rimmer scored on a pass from Lia Bellizzi 5:36 into the second half. Rye has taken a 1-0 lead.

Update 1: Tony Pinciaro reports from Tompkins Community College that it’s scoreless at the half.

Rye has two corner kicks. South Side has one. Lia Bellizzi of Rye has had a couple of shots on goal.

Matt Ng and I are here in Oneonta, ready to bring you updates from the Harrison, Bronxville, and North Salem games. Check this post for our live updates.

Scoring updates on today’s games are being posted below in the comments link of this thread.

Jeff doesn’t have blog access and asked me to post this for him.

Class A State Championship: Rye (17-4-1) vs. Section 8’s South Side (10-3-5), noon, Tompkins CC: It’s not surprise that Rye won Section 1, but the fact that the Garnets have made their way through the state tournament in such convincing fashion has been unexpected. This is a team that lost its regular season finale 2-0 to Eastchester. You can just sense the confidence that Rye has in every game. It goes in believing it’s going to win, believing it has the two best players on the field at all times in Lia Bellizzi and Alex Rimmer and a very talented supporting group that knows exactly how to play to its strenghts. It needs just one more win to complete this remarkable run. Going up against South Side is a very difficult task. It’s a power every year. South Side has won the last four state championships and its players grow up expecting to win state championships. Soccer is everything in that community. I used to work on Long Island and I know how
seriously they take it. But this isn’t a typical South Side team. Its best player, Crystal Dunn, is not playing in this game. Why? Because she’s part of the Under-17 national team. Those are the types of players that come out of South Side. The next best player is Carly Beyar. She isn’t expected to play either. I think Rye ends South Side’s run of state titles on a thrilling game.

The pick: Rye

Class B state championship: Briarcliff (22-1) vs. Section 5’s Livonia (16-5-3), 1 p.m. Homer High School: What else is there really to say about Briarcliff? You run out of superlatives. How a school the size of Briarcliff has so many talented players who will one day likely be playing college soccer is incredible. There are too many players that Briarcliff gets constant contributions from to have a team-wide letdown. The team is talented, driven, well-coached and committed to the cause. Briarcliff needs to keep close teabs on Amanda Kidder, who had two goals in the semifinals, but the Bears seem to relish those types of challenges. Livonia is obviously good. It’s in this game and it only lost to Briarcliff 1-0 last season in the state semifinals. But when this game ends, I just can’t see the scenario where the Briarcliff girls aren’t celebrating back-to-back titles. And then we can all get started on predicting three-peats…the whole team practically is
coming back.

The pick: Briarcliff

Class AA: 1 p.m.

Class A: 1:30 p.m.

Class B: 11 p.m.

Class C: 11:40 p.m.

Class D: 12:30 p.m. 

Class AA

John Jay-East Fishkill vs Clarence (Section 6), 1 p.m.

Baldwinsville (Section 3) vs Brentwood (Section 11), 1 p.m. 

Class A

Kenmore East (Section 6) vs. Harrison, 1:30 p.m.

Mohonasen (Section 2) vs. Comsewogue (Section 11) winner, 1:30 p.m.

Class B

Chenango Forks (Section 4) vs. Bronxville, 9 a.m.

East Aurora (Section 6) vs. Plattsburgh (Section 7), 9 a.m.

Class C

Fabius-Pompey (Section 3) vs. North Salem, 10:30 a.m.

Red Creek (Section 5) vs. Northern Adirondack (Section 7), 10:30 a.m.

Update 6: FINAL – BRIARCLIFF 3, RAVENA 0. Briarcliff will play for its second straight title tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Homer High School. The opponent has yet to be determined.

Update 5: Briarcliff takes a 3-0 lead with 13:17 left on a free kick from Katie Underwood from 25 yards out. Briarcliff was able to effectively shield Ravena’s goalie and Underwoods high shot went right in.

Update 4: Briarcliff still leads 2-0. There is 17:20 left in the game.

Update 3: Halftime, Briarcliff leads 2-0.

Update 2: Briarcliff goes up 2-0 on a goal by Danielle Christiano with 18:41 left in the half.

Update 1: Briarcliff takes a 1-0 lead with 34:06 left on a score by Katie Weiner.

The game is underway between Briarcliff and Ravena.

Update 10: FINAL: Rye won 4-2. Cortland scored a goal with two minutes left. Rye is going to play four-time defending champion South Side in the state final tomorrow at noon at Tompkins CC.

Update 9: Rye still leads 4-1 with 5 minutes left. I’m heading down to the field to do interviews.

Update 8: Rye takes a 4-1 lead with 13:49 left. Alex Rimmer took a pass from Bellizzi and scored from 12 yards out. This one is over.

Update 7: Rye still leads 3-1. 15 minutes left.

Update 6: Rye takes a 3-1 lead with 36:39 left. Another goal for Lia Bellizzi. Another amazing goal. She took the ball down the left side, went right around a defender and blasted a left-footed shot in with 20 yards out. Rye appears to be in fantastic shape to play in the state final.

Update 5: Rye leads 2-1 at halftime.

Update 4: Rye leads 2-1 with 2:43 left in the half. Lia Bellizzi scored on a sharp-angle on a left footed 30-yard strike. An incredible goal. One thing to point out is that Rye has had the wind at its back in the first half which has been a help. Still, it appears to be the superior team as of now.

Update 3: Rye has tied the score at 1-1 with 8:28 left in the half. Kaelyn Lucas scored off a rebound from Carter Talgo’s free kick from 30 yards out. It is the first goal for Rye that was not scored by Lia Bellizzi or Alex Rimmer in the playoffs.

Update 2: Cortland leads 1-0 with 11 minutes left in the first half. Aubrey VanGorder received a pass from Taylor Reynolds and scored from eight yards out. It is the first goal Rye has given up in the postseason. Rye has had the better of play thus far, though Cortland has had the two best scoring chances, the second of which led to a goal.

Update 1: Game is underway. Rye is wearing white.

The game is being delayed because both Rye and Cortland are wearing their dark jerseys. Rye is going back to its bus right now to get its white jerseys and the game is set to begin at 12:15 p.m.

Sorry for the delay in getting this info out. I had some trouble reaching the Kenmore East coach.

Kenmore East (17-2-3), from the Buffalo suburb of Tonawanda, is the Section 6 Class A representative for the third time in four years. However, the Bulldogs have always failed to advance to Oneonta, having lost to Section 5 (Rochester area) both times. They finally got over the hump by beating Honeoye Falls-Lima 2-1 in regionals. It ended a three-game shutout streak by keeper James Quinn. Senior forward Casey Sheehan is the leading scorer with 20 goals. He’s got a good shot, so Harrison defenders can’t give him space to get good foot on the ball. 

Kenmore East was the No. 1 seed in sectionals and is ranked No. 1 in the state. But it could be worse for Harrison. Section 6’s reps in AA and B are both 22-0. All season the Bulldogs have ridden a “we don’t get no respect” mantra because they were left out of a local preseason poll. Can they keep milking it now that they’re considered the best in the state?

Bronxville’s opponent is Chenango Forks, located nine miles north of Binghamton, of Section 4. If you think Harrison is a surprise visitor to this round, check out Forks. Forks (13-7-1) was the seventh seed in its own sectional tournament. And no wonder. The Blue Devils were barely .500 at the time. After a decent start they fell apart and looked like a one-and-done in postseason. Instead the defense rallied around Nate Oberhaus and Mike Hogan and carried them through sectionals and regionals. Opponents have two goals total over the last six games. Chris Spear and Tyler Gill provide the offense.

Bronxville should be a heavy favorite in this one. I think all the Broncos have to do is score in the first, let’s say 15 minutes, and Forks will realize it’s not in Kansas anymore.

North Salem will take on Fabius-Pompey, a school on the western edge of Section 3 between Syracuse and Cortland. Fabius (16-2-3) came back from an early deficit to beat Delhi in regionals. Keith Lindabury’s penalty kick with 10 minutes to go in the first half gave Fabius a 2-1 lead and the eventual win. The Falcons lack for star power. Leading scorers Gabe Esposito and Matt Feeney haven’t even cracked double figures in goals. Clearly the strength is a defense that’s allowed eight goals all year. Delhi was the first team to score upon them in nine games. Impressive.

They won’t lack for motivation. Coach Mike Danaher is retiring after 31 seasons and 11 sectional titles. They’re winning for him now, to make sure he goes out on top. And since that desire has carried them this far, I’m sure they feel like a state title is their destiny. North Salem will try to dissaude them of that notion.

I didn’t make any calls regarding Clarence, John Jay-East Fishkill’s opponent, (since we don’t cover Fishkill)but you can read about its regional victory here. It has some good info about the team overall, like how they’re good at scoring off throw-ins. Should be a great game when these two undefeateds clash.

Sorry about the delay in the scouting reports. I’m still waiting to hear back from one upstate coach. To tide you  over, take a look at the latest state rankings.

Despite the overall success of Section 1, no Section 1 team is ranked No. 1 in its class. You’ll see that change when a couple of them win titles. Bronxville and North Salem are ranked second. Fishkill and Harrison are ranked third.

I’m a little surprised that Keio didn’t make the cut in Class A despite getting to the sectional finals.

Let’s get right to it. Both games are state semifinals on Friday.

Class A

Rye (16-4-1) vs. Section 3’s Cortland (18-4-1), 11:45 a.m. at Tompkins CC in Dryden, NY: Cortland has the homefield advantage. To me, that’s immaterial however. It’s not like there are going to be thousands of fans standing outside in the cold temperature making it intimidating for Rye. I don’t think that should have much impact on the game. We all know what Rye needs to do. Get the ball to Alexandra Rimmer and Lia Bellizzi as often as possible. If it means bringing Bellizzi a little bit further back into the middle of the field just to get her some more touches, I think it’s worth it just so she can make her presence felt in the game. Goalkeeper Tatiana Saunders needs to put forth another solid outing.  Cortland has won 12 straight games and is led by junior Aubrey VanGorder, who has 19 goals. Her older sister, Emily VanGorder, is the team’s best defensive player. Other players that needed to be marked closely are Katherine Hunsberger, a senior forward with 16 goals and midfielder Casey Marks. Rye can go into this game feeling confident. Its playing its best soccer of the year in the playoffs having outscored opponents 11-0 thus far.

The pick: Rye

Class B

Briarcliff (21-1) vs. Ravnea (15-7-1), 2:30 p.m. at Tompkins CC in Dryden, NY: Have I seen Ravena? No. But the team is 15-7-1. I just can’t see how a team with seven losses is going to beat Briarcliff.  Of course anything can happen, but this would be a huge upset. Briarcliff doesn’t have those letdown games against opponents that aren’t as talented, and if it were ever to have one, it would never come in a state semifinal with so much on the line. The Bears want that second straight state championship. Ravena has one superstar who Briarcliff will need to monitor closely. Ravena’s Ashley Wilson has 39 goals and no other player has more than 10. Provided she doesn’t have an absolutely incredible game, this seems like a Briarcliff win.

The pick: Briarcliff

I’ll have scouting reports on the three championship opponents tomorrow.

The boys all-section team was already picked, but the selections are being kept in a vault by the powers that be. They won’t release them until the last Section 1 team is eliminated. That means Saturday night at the earliest. More likely early next week. I’ll post them as soon as I get them.

Here are the teams. The picks were made by the coaches. These players are listed in no particular order. Don’t read into the order they are listed in any way shape or form. The players were never ranked. I am simply copying the list that was provided to me. The number of all-section selections was reduced from 143 last season to 74 this year so players should understand that it was MUCH tougher to be named all-section than last year. The number of players in each conference that could be named all-section was predetermined.

Below are each conference’s All-Section team and the All-Section honorable mention selections.

Conference 1 All-Section (24 players)

1. Jessica Hegron, Saunders

2. Ashlyn Hlawitschka, Scarsdale

3. Amanda Tuck, Mamaroneck

4. Stephanie Velez, Mamaroneck

5. Phoebe Hanley, Mamaroneck

6. Renee Jensen, White Plains

7. Kerri Ann O’Connor, Ursuline

8. Jenna Gilbert, Carmel

9. Erin Egan, John Jay-EF

10. Caitlyn Moran, John Jay-EF

11. Jen Mansfield, John Jay-EF

12. Keara Hunt, John Jay-EF

13. Emily Rokitowski, R.C. Ketcham

14. Sarah DeMarzo, Mahopac

15. Aislinn McIlvenny, Arlington

16. Lindy Sefcik, Arlington

17. Nikki O’Dell, Arlington

18. Shandon Barry, Arlington

19. Francesca Kentimenos, North Rockland

20. Connie Gormley, North Rockland

21. Mackenzie Kerrigan, North Rockland

22. Stephanie Reimer, Suffern

23. Maya Kantor, Clarkstown North

24. Meghan Hayes, Clarkstown South

Conference 1 All-Section Honorable Mention (12 players)

1. Allison Rainone, White Plains

2. Sara Meisler, North Rockland

3. Nicole Landes, North Rockland

4. Alana Flynn, Mamaroneck

5. Samantha McGuire, John Jay-EF

6. Ashlee Barrow, John Jay-EF

7. Jessica Paskowski, R.C. Ketcham

8. Besarta Tanushaj, Suffern

9. Katie Wolfe, Suffern

10. Ilyse Schwartz, Clarkstown North

11. Carly Villanova, Mahopac

12. Lauren Cihanek, Mahopac

Conference 2 All-Section (22 players)

1. Mary Gray, Nyack

2. Kathryn Donatelli, Yorktown

3. Samantha Russo, Yorktown

4. Daniela Maddaloni, Harrison

5. Ashley Manning, Somers

6. Stephanie Hairt, Somers

7. Kristen Reiche, Lakeland

8. Deanna Amoia, Tappan Zee

9. Kelsey Hill, Horace Greeley

10. Sydney Rutman, Horace Greeley

11. Vanessa Henry, Ossining

12. Kelly Hanly, Hen Hud

13. Leanne Benson, Hen Hud

14. Kayla Mancusi, Hen Hud

15. Nicole Silenok, John Jay

16. Zoe Boyd, John Jay

17. Kelsey Wise, Fox Lane

18. Nicole Burke, Lourdes

19. Jessica Stec, Lourdes

20. Christina Posco, Lourdes

21. Sara Sheehen, Beacon

22. Colleen Pucher, Beacon

Conference 2 All-Section Honorable Mention (11 players)

1, Kate James, Nyack

2. Gabrielle Lawrence, Yorktown

3. Liz Novenstern, Greeley

4. Alexandra Steinhauer, Greeley

5. Lauren Narode, Tappan Zee

6. Meghan Tremblay, Lakeland

7. Sarah Babroff, John Jay

8. Laura Olson, John Jay

9. Mika Cucullo, John Jay

10. Tess Lewis, John Jay

11. Maddi McCauley, Panas

Conference 3 All-Section (17 selections)

1. Tatiana Saunders, Rye

2. Alexandra Rimmer, Rye

3. Lia Bellizzi, Rye

4. Liza Falk, Byram Hills

5. Regan Marin, Byram Hills

6. Emily McMahon, Eastchester

7. Lauren Kahn, Nanuet

8. Becky Torres, Nanuet

9. Caitlin Hoffer, Albertus Magnus

10. Brittany Egan, Pearl River

11. Katie Underwood, Briarcliff

12. Liana Cornacchio, Briarcliff

13. Savina Reid, Briarcliff

14. Danielle Christiano, Briarcliff

15. Maddie Kittay, Briarcliff

16. Brianna Reid, Briarcliff

17. Amy Marron, Westlake

Conference 3 All-Section Honorable Mention (8 selections)

1. Sarah Stiefvater, Pelham

2. Michelle Fuerst, Byram Hills

3. Delia Hughes, Eastchester

4. Courtney McGrath, Nanuet

5. Jen Gonos, Nanuet

6. Andrea Stephens, Hastings

7. Jenny Rosen, Briarcliff

8. Kristie Sama, Westlake

Conference 4 All-Section (11 selections)

1. Rosina Calisto, Rye Neck

2. Jodi Rosenszweig, Rye Neck

3. Jessica Wright, Rye Neck

4. Naomi Pollack, Solomon Schechter

5. Meghan Bond, Bronxville

6. Christie Bonfiglio, Bronxville

7. Maggie Pyle, Bronxville

8. Alexia Shea, North Salem

9. Stacy Buzzetto, North Salem

10. Elyana Genovese, North Salem

11. Nicolletta Hardesty, Dobbs Ferry

Conference 4 All-Section Honorable Mention (6 selections)

1. Andrea Longo, Valhalla

2. Satsuki Tanji, Keio

3. Jessica D’Ottavio, Pawling

4. Megan Rohan, Haldane

5. Julia Wein, Solomon Schechter

6. Chelsea Lois, Blind Brook

The CHSAA season wrapped with yesterday’s A and B-Division championship games at Adelphi. We almost had a local team in both but Iona Prep fell to city champ Molloy in the state semifinals. So only Salesian was representing the LoHud. The New Rochelle school was 18-0 heading into the B title game and had been, relative to its competition, the most dominant CHSAA soccer team of the year.

In the end the Eagles got their championship and their perfect record. But it was a lot tougher than anybody expected.

It wasn’t until Steven Merino converted the last penalty kick of a second shootout that they could celebrate. They’d played one of their shakiest games—probably their worst first half of the season—yet somehow forced overtime. They missed their first three PKs yet somehow forced a second shootout, which they captured on the tenth shooter.

No one seemed to mind. In a way it was a better way to end the year. Finally having to work for something, having nervous sweat join the tired sweat, having to chase after people like their lives depended on it. It’s been so easy for them in most of these games, including the previous playoff rounds. To have to really earn the title sat well with them.

Queens-based McClancy scored three minutes into the game. Over the next 37 minutes it could have gotten much worse. Salesian was very sloppy. Lot of kickball. Perhaps it was nerves. Keeper Nick Camacho alluded to his team getting tight the few times they’ve been in close games. Somehow they avoided further damage. The play was about even in the second half. Josh Zumbado tied the score with 20 minutes left.

Despite the shrieking encouragement of a couple McClancy moms behind me, McClancy could not knock in another. The game went to OT, then another. Finally it came down to a shootout. The CHSAA doesn’t crown co-champs when there’s a tie, so this was for the actual victory.

Camacho blocked McClancy’s first two shots. Between shots, when Salesian was shooting, he would kneel on the endline and pray. He told me later he was praying all game. I’ve never seen a goalie actually get on his knees during PKs. He’d go on to hit one of Salesian’s PKs.

Congratulations to first-year co-coaches Danny Romero and Stephen Kane. They weren’t brought on until late summer and had little time to get the program together. Because the former coach was popular, they were met with some skepticism. Not much skepticism now as the first perfect season in team history ends in triumph.

I’m headed over to the meeting right now to find out what’s what…check the blog tonight.

Jake is covering the Intersectional CHSAA B division championship between undefeated Salesian and McClancy.

Update: McClancy leads 1-0 halftime. McClancy scored in third minute. Jake reports McClancy has had the better of the play and that Salesian is fortunate to only be down a goal.

Update: Salesian ties it at 1-1 with 20 mins. left. Goal by Joshua Zumbado.

Update: Overtime. 1-1.

Update: 2nd overtime.

Update: SALESIAN WINS IN PENALTY KICKS. The shootout went to a second session and Salesian won 5-4. They are the undefeated CHSAA B Division Intersectional champions.

Briarcliff might have a collection of the most talented players in the section. If it’s not first, it’s in the discussion. As it makes its way through what now is looking more and more like a possible second state title, it’s finding methods to score that are almost indefensible.

With good marking and anticipation, teams can usually stop an opponent during the regular flow of play. But what Briarcliff has done in its last two games, the two toughest of the season (sectional final vs. Nanuet and regional final vs. Lansing) is score four of its five goals on either corner kicks ore throw-ins. These plays are totally unstoppable.

On the corners, Katie Underwood lofts the ball high into the with the perfect bend toward the goal. Lianna Cornacchio headed one in against Nanuet and used her right foot to knock one in against Lansing. With her size, there really is nothing that can be done to stop her wtihout risking a foul in the box.

As for the corners, Cornacchio’s tosses are acting like corners. She can easily throw the ball 25 yards and such throws led to a goal on a header by Savina Reid against Nanuet and the winning goal by Danielle Christiano against Lansing.

When the weather is horrible and the defense is marking tight, one of the most effective ways to score is off restarts and Briarcliff is doing that very well.

Once again, LoHud teams have swept the opposition.

Three entered the state semifinals and three emerged victorious, all by multiple goals and all via the shutout. Harrison beat Owego (Section 4) 2-0 in Class A, Bronxville beat Cold Spring Harbor (Section 8 ) 4-0 in Class B, and North Salem beat Southold (Section 11) 2-0 in Class C. All will make the trip to Oneonta a week from today for state semifinals.

John Jay-East Fishkill won today also, giving Section 1 four teams in Oneonta. (The New York State Athletics website mistakenly reported that Ithaca had beaten Fishkill, which I relayed in this space. That was incorrect; Fishkill won 3-0.)

Justin Jones was at Arlington to see Harrison’s victory. He told me the Huskies played better than the score. Owego was big but not very fast. Harrison got up 2-0 at half thanks to a couple of sophomores, Ivan Cabrera and Andres Duarte.

It’s amazing to see Harrison in this position. You could tell from the beginning of the year that it had talent, but it was unclear whether that talent could coalese for enough consecutive games to escape a devlishly hard Section 1 and go through states. So far it has. Remember, the Huskies were seeded fifth in sectionals.

Brian Heyman was at Mitchel Field in Hempstead to see Bronxville slap Cold Spring Harbor around. Brian Rogers scored less than two minutes in and the Broncos sailed. Rogers had two goals, bringing his season total to 40. Remember in September when I said he had no chance to break his own school record of 39 because he missed three games for college trips? Yeah, well, whatever.

Next up is Chenango Forks of Section 4.

I saw the most competitive game of the day in Brookhaven, Long Island. North Salem went up 1-0 with about five minutes left in the first half after Greg Shea used his thigh to bump in a Dan Loftus free kick. It was raining hard for most of the half, then at halftime there was thunder so the game was delayed about 45 minutes. Southold, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, was better after the half but not enough to get anything in. When the Settlers pushed up in the final 10 minutes to get the equalizer, North Salem struck back.

Max Loeb, a reserve who hasn’t played soccer since second grade and hadn’t played a minute of the game, was inserted for his speed with eight minutes left. With seven minutes left he scored the insurance goal. It’s a nice story. After the game the other guys were ribbing him about it, and you can understand why.

The defense was tested much more than last round. It responded well. Nick Ranalli made a heads-up play, kicking a ball out of bounds with keeper John Roach out of the goal and a Southold player about to jump on the ball. Roach made one super save in the closing minutes.

Fabius-Pompey of Section 3 is the next opponent.