League Coach of the Year: Darryl Sullivan, John Jay-East Fishkill

All League

Sarah DeMarzo, Mahopac

Lauren Cihanek, Mahopac

Carly Villanova, Mahopac

Jenna Gilbert, Carmel

Kim Broccoli, Carmel

Emily Rokitowski, R.C. Ketcham

Mahoney Melissa, R.C. Ketcham

Jessica Paskowski, R.C. Ketcham

Rachel Cerrone, R.C. Ketcham

Aislinn McIlvenny, Arlington

Lindy Sefcik, Arlington

NIkki O’Dell, Arlington

Shannon Barry, Arlington

Shannon Stoll, Arlington

Erin Egan, John Jay-EF

Jennifer Mansfield, John Jay-EF

Caitlyn Moran, John Jay-EF

Keara Hunt, John Jay-EF

Ashlee Barrow, John Jay-EF

Melissa Mansfield, John Jay-EF

Caroline Kaplan, John Jay-EF

Samantha McGuire, John Jay-EF

Honorable Mention

Rachel Tomoshosky, John Jay-EF

Leanne Disito, John Jay-EF

Stephanie Sepe, Carmel

Marissa Callahan, Carmel

Brittany Montana, Carmel

Melinda Clancy, Carmel

Maria Imburgia, Carme

Elayne Dombroski, Arlington

Ari Decher, Arlington

Danielle Axelrod, Arlington

Seanna Wright, Arlington

Kristen Shorieczny, Arlington

Mary Lynch, Mahopac

Jillian Maloney, Mahopac

Jessica Woeckner, R.C. Ketcham

Niki Smith, R.C. Ketcham

Sarah Domber, R.C. Ketcham

Kim Carr, R.C. Ketcham

Coach of the Year: Carlo Mitrione, Saunders

All-League

Jessica Negron, Saunders

Melanie Lopez, Lopez

Leslyn Prasad, Saunders

Lizbeth Barrera, Saunders

Danielle DiNardo, Saunders

Sheila Reyes, Saunders

Tatiana Queliz, Saunderz

Tatiana Ticora, Gorton

Jackie Ramirez, Gorton

Heidy Lopez, Gorton

Yessica Mendez, Gorton

Anysa Crews, Lincoln

Lianaveth Nieves, Lincoln

Lorraine Perdomo, Lincoln

Diane Villegas, Lincoln

Ana Hernandez, Lincoln

Frenchy Torjani, Lincoln

Belkys Flords, Lincoln

Tammy DeSouza, Mt. Vernon

Samantha Arthurs, Mt. Vernon

Marlin Corado, Mt. Vernon

Elvia Cunduri, Mt. Vernon

Honorable Mention

Ashley Molina, Gorton

Vivian Rocha, Gorton

Yanet Martinez, Gorton

Patricia Villate, Saunders

Jennifer Lopez, Saunders

Jennifer Sagastume, Saunders

Alexandra Rivera, Lincoln

League Coach of the Year: Ron Blain, Mamaroneck

All-League

Amanda Tuck, Mamaroneck

Erika Romagnoli, Mamaroneck

Stephanie Velez, Mamaroneck

Alana Flynn, Mamaroneck

Abby Baigelman, Mamaroneck

Phoebe Hanley, Mamaroneck

Renee Jensen, White Plains

Allison Rainone, White Plains

Rachel Hacohen, White Plains

Emily Masseo, White Plains

Bridget Maguire, White Plains

Allie Ellman, Scarsdale

Ashlyn Hiawitschta, Scarsdale

Charlotte Miller, Scarsdale

Shelby Schrier, Scarsdale

Debbie Gilwit, New Rochelle

Sara Miesler, New Rochelle

Maura McCabe, New Rochelle

Stephanie Graziano, Ursuline

Kerry Ann O’Connor, Ursuline

Sara Zagroba, Ursuline

League Coach of the Year: Steve Shepardson, North Rockland

All-League

Francesca Kentimenos, North Rockland

Connie Gormley, North Rockland

Mackenzie Kerrigan, North Rockland

Nicole Landes, North Rockland

Olivia Panepinto, North Rockland

Brenna Priest, North Rockland

Georgia Traynor, North Rockland

Elizabeth, Stamboulian, North Rockland

Meghan Hayes, Clarkstown South

Sondra Lipschitz, Clarkstown South

Taylor Quilty, Clarkstown South

Kaitlyn Greeley, Clarkstown South

Evelyn Nicinski, Clarkstown North

Mackenzie McIndoe, Clarkstown North

Maya Kantor, Clarksotwn North

Shelun Tsai, Clarkstown North

Ilyse Schwartz, Clarkstown North

Stephanie Reimer, Suffern

Besarta Tanushaj, Suffern

Jen Denicola, Suffern

Katie Wolfe, Suffern

Kelsey Rehain, Suffern

Honorable mention

Scarlett Panepinto, North Rockland

Eleni Anselmi, North Rockland

Gabby Curtis, North Rockland

Kelly Moresi, Suffern

Britney Cruz, Suffern

Abby Lieberman, Clarkstown North

Christina Andromidas, Clarkstown North

Arianna Barbetto, Clarkstown North

Shannon Kopune, Clarkstown South

Bergelie Louis, Ramapo

League Coach of the Year: Deena Mehran (Dobbs Ferry)

All-league

Naomi Pollack, Schechter

Julia Wein, Schechter

Niki Fleishman, Schechter

Maya Moskowitz, Schechter

Dani Stoppelman, Schechter

Tali Prince, Schechter

Sam Franklin, Schechter

Arielle Nissenblatt, Schechter

Nicoletta Hardesty, Dobbs Ferry

Margaux Malekian, Dobbs Ferry

Rebecca Bortz, Dobbs Ferry

Annalee Groner, Dobbs Ferry

Tess Meyer, Tuckahoe

Olivia Fox, Tuckahoe

Diana Ottomanelli, Tuckahoe

Gabby Severiano, Tuckahoe

Lauren Mitchell, Tuckahoe

Satsuki Tanji, Keio

Marina Uno, Keio

Mikako Arita, Keio

Eri Ouchi, Keio

Erisa Ueno, Keio

League Coach of the Year – Robert Martin, North Salem

All-League

Alexia Shea, North Salem

Stacy Buzzetto, North Salem

Elyana Genovese, North Salem

Michelle Kay, North Salem

Valerie Kay, North Salem

Erika Tait, North Salem

Rita Valvano, North Salem

Torrie Crenson, North Salem

Courtney McSweeney, North Salem

Katelyn Mastrantone, Haldane

Liz Milner, Haldane

Megan Rohan, Haldane

Hannah Dieboll, Haldane

Phoebe Risher, Haldane

Quinn Kohut, Haldane

Jessica D’Ottavio, Pawling

Jenica Ross, Pawling

Rebecca Paugh, Pawling

Brianna Dapolito, Pawling

Kayla Campbell, Dover

Kaitlyn Chopay, Dover

Alyssa Paciello, Dover

Honorable mention

Casey Stewart, Pawling

Elizabeth Broderick, Pawling

Grace O’Malley, Haldane

Sara Dieboll, Haldane

Brianna D’Alessio, Haldane

Carolyn Schaefer, Haldane

Tatiana Gilmartin, Haldane

Michelle Kern, North Salem

Marissa Dale, North Salem

League Co-coaches of the year: Don Cupertino (Bronxville) and Doug Choron (Rye Neck)

All-Keague

Jillian Forbes, Blind Brook

Chelsea Louis, Blind Brook

Melanie Urban, Blind Brook

Rosina Calisto, Rye Neck

Lona Speidell, Rye Neck

Jodi Rosenzweig, Rye Neck

Georgia Richardson, Rye Neck

Brittany Ciardiello, Rye Neck

Elena Solazo, Rye Neck

Alexa Pottberg, Rye Neck

Jessica Wright, Rye Neck

Christie Bonfiglio, Bronxville

Maggie Pyle, Bronxville

Jessica Palfrey, Bronxville

Kirsten Noonan, Bronxville

Julia Bruton, Bronxville

Michela Donohue, Bronxville

Shannon Crawford, Bronxville

Andrea Longo, Valhalla

Christina Mitarotunda, Valhalla

Alexa Picolli, Valhalla

Honorable mention

Nora Fisher, Blind Brook

Claudia Treacy, Blind Brook

Danielle Treacy, Blind Brook

Mary Truillo, Valhalla

Jane Fumarelli, Valhalla

Diane Kort, Rye Neck

League Coach of the Year: Mike Henderson, Nanuet

All-League

Lauren Kahn, Nanuet

Becky Torres, Nanuet

Courtney McGrath, Nanuet

Jen Gonos, Nanuet

Sophia Patrikis, Nanuet

K.C. Jentzen, Nanuet

Laura Tropiano, Nanuet

Nikki Saponaro, Nanuet

Caitlin Hoffer, Albertus Magnus

Caitlin Frowley, Albertus Magnus

Alyssa Valente, Albertus Magnus

Erin Harding, Albertus Magnus

Marina Sideli, Hastings

Andrea Stephens, Hastings

Julia Solinaro, Hatings

Samantha Payne, Pearl River

Shannon Howe, Pearl River

Brittany Egan, Pearl River

Julie McBrien, Pearl River

Brynn Moynihan, Peal River

Jamie Bucci, Sleepy Hollow

Marissa Hurwitz, Irvington

Honorable Mention

Sarah Schuker, Nanuet

Christine Bresovsky, Nanuet

Tara St. Onge, Nanuet

Sara Rodregas, Sleepy Hollow

Cathy Garro, Sleepy Hollow

Annelise Birrattella, Sleepy Hollow

Gina DeCruz, Albertus Magnus

Clarissa Flores, Albertus Magnus

Crystal Flores, Albertus Magnus

Kassandra Kayser, Albertus Magnus

Brittany Kehoe, Albertus Magnus

Kelly Mastrovito, Pearl River

Colleen Parker, Pearl River

Emily Aristizibal, Pearl River

Keira McMullen, Pearl River

Kari McWalters, Hastings

Maud Reavili, Hastings

Nina Wineburgh, Hastings

Carolyn Veilleux, Irvington

Adrianna Miller, Irvington

Jenna Tramaglini, Irvington

Ali Saraniti, Irvington

League Coach of the Year – Rich Savage, Rye

All-League

Tatiana Saunders, Rye

Lia Bellizzi, Rye

Alexandra Rimmer, Rye

Catherine Greer, Rye

Madeline Chabot, Rye

Carter Talgo, Rye

Regan Marin, Byram Hills

Liza Falk, Byram Hills

Michelle Fuerst, Byam Hills

Kirsten Scavone, Byram Hills

Kristin Hasselgren, Byram Hills

Sarah Stiefvater, Pelham

Laura Davis, Pelham

Juliana Carfora, Pelham

Katie Chapman, Pelham

Emily McMahon, Eastchester

Delia Hughes, Eastchester

Justine DiDonato, Eastchester

Sophie Sylla, Ardsley

Allison Weatherbee, Ardsley

Rachel Hirsch, Edgemont

Becky Wachter, Edgemont

Honorable mention

Stephanie McGowan, Rye

Amanda Benicasa, Rye

Kaelyn Lucas, Rye

Erin McCarty, Rye

Diana Liso, Byram Hills

Lauren Benzie, Byram Hills

Courtney Marin, Byram Hills

Danielle Hoffman, Byram Hills

Casey Shea, Pelham

Kerry Davis, Pelham

Jane Ruocco, Pelham

Carline Stiefvater, Pelham

Shaun O’Hanlon, Eastchester

Marissa Conte, Eastchester

Jen Fields, Ardsley

Lauren Lew, Ardsley

Jessica Rashkovich, Edgemont

Haley Dumke, Edgemont

Alex Lugovina, Edgemont

Alexa Schweitzer, Edgmont

League coach of the year: Owen Scully, Briarcliff

All-league

Victoriea Hamilton, Putnam Valley

Jenny Squire, Croton-Harmon

Meghan Reda, Pleasantville

Jenna Fanelli, Pleasantville

Karen Morales, Pleasantville

Tina Elliott, Pleasantville

Theresa Tolan, Kennedy

Katie Underwood, Briarcliff

Liana Cornacchio, Briarcliff

Savina Reid, Briarcliff

Danielle Christiano, Briarcliff

Jane Wallis, Briarcliff

Jenny Rosen, Briarcliff

Briannna Reid, Briarcliff

Katie Weiner, Briarcliff

Maddie Kittay, Briarcliff

Carly Savino, Briarcliff

Amy Marron, Westlake

Kristie Sama, Westlake

Devon Redfern, Westlake

Cecilia Zappa, Westlake

Honorable-mention

Megan Maher, Westlake

Bridge Boccio, Westlake

Nicole Papa, Westlake

Desiree Horecky, Briarcliff

Kelly Wall, Briarcliff

Aly Jaquith, Briarcliff

Jessie Degiovanni, Kennedy

Christina Lee, Kennedy

Molly Brennan, Kennedy

Lindsay Gilfeather, Pleasantville

Geena George, Pleasantville

Melissa Fanelli, Pleasantville

Sharon Cranwell, Putnam Valley

Tricia Sharp, Putnam Valley

Cristina DeFilippis, Croton-Harmon

Julia Ledee, Croton-Harmon

Danie Karlin, Croton-Harmon

League Player of the Year: Kristen Reiche, Lakeland

League Coach of the Year: Erin Tracy, Horace Greeley

All-league

Mary Gray, Nyack

Kate Jones, Nyack

Kathryn Donatelli, Yorktown

Samantha Russo, Yorktown

Gabrielle Lawrence, Yorktown

Daniela Maddaloni, Harrison

Liz Gordon, Harrison

Natalie Wizel, Somers

Michelle Linkletter, Somers

Stephanie Hart, Somers

Ashley Manning Somers

Kristen Reiche, Lakeland

Meghan Tremblay, Lakeland

Deanna Amoia, Tappan Zee

Lauren Narode, Tappan Zee

Kelsey Hills, Greeley

Sydney Rutman, Greeley

Liz Novenstern, Greeley

Alex Steinhauer, Greeley

Yanna Jackson, Greeley

Kristen Keeney, Ossining

Vanessa Henry, Ossining

All-league honorable mention

Emma Loinewski, Tappan Zee

Krita Staropoli, Tappan Zee

Aileen Lennon, Tappan Zee

Natalie Rosen, Greeley,

Samantha Seif, Greeley

Sdney Axelrod, Ossining

Krystine Alvear, Ossining

Amanda Gratz, Ossining

Natalie Finn, Ossining

Caroline Chesterman, Nyack

Kate O’Gorman, Nyack

Taryn Brady, Nyack

Esteffi Gonzales, Harrison

Alyson Donino, Harrison

Michelle Iannacchino, Somers

Melissa Guglielmo, Somers

Kaitlyn Nealon, Somers

Kristina Baldassarri, Lakeland

Alexandria Berrios, Lakeland

Lesley Echevarria, Lakeland

Maggie Natell, Yorktown

Amanda Trendell, Yorktown

Patricia Kaishian, Yorktown

League Player of the Year: Nicolle Burke – Lourdes

League Co-Coaches of the Year: Paul Smith, John Jay, Jeff Matus, Beacon

Nicole Silenok, John Jay

Zoe Boyd, John Jay

Sarah Bobroff, John Jay

Laura Olson, John Jay

Mike Cucullo, John Jay

Tess Lewis, John Jay

Nicole Burke, Lourdes

Jessica Stec, Lourdes

Christina Posco, Lourds

Emily Carey, Lourdes

Stephanie Savino, Lourdes

Kelly Hanly, Hen Hud

Leanne Benson, Hen Hud

Kayla Mancusi, Hen Hud

Sarah Tubbs, Hen Hud

Kelsey Wise, Fox Lane

Madeline Stein, Fox Lane

Megan Yarusso, Brewster

Sara Sheehan, Beacon

Colleen Pucher, Beacon

Lyanne Barth, Beacon

Madeline McCauley, Panas

All-league honorable mention

Anna Spannaus, Brewster

Taylor Nilsen, Brewster

Ruthie Demetros, Beacon

Casie Rosario, Beacon

Tori Alexander, Beacon

Karen Levy, Beacon

Sam Lamurte, Lourdes

Claire Casaregola, Lourdes

Giovanne Velardo, Lourdes

Alex Kass, John Jay

Lauren Hafkemeyer, John Jay

Fiona Callagy, Hen Hud

Kylie Fitzgerald, Hen Hud

Meghan Jacobs, Hen Hud

Deanna Peterson, Hen Hud

Kerri Russo, Hen Hud

Liz Paese Hen Hud

Michelle Kowalski, Fox Lane

Sarah Gilkes, Fox Lane

Samantha Ricker, Fox Lane

Katie Dexter, Fox Lane

Avery Laird, Fox Lane

Click right here.

State champion Alex Rimmer of Rye is one of the candidates.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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.

Lia Bellizzi has been unstoppable in the playoffs. Will it continue against undefeated Cornwall?

All games at Yorktown High School

Class A

Rye (15-4-1) vs. Cornwall (20-0), 1:30 p.m.: The first thing that jumps out of course is Cornwall’s 20-0 record. Is it because it’s a great team or has the competition been non-existent? Who knows. The state tournament always provides great unknowns. Cornwall is led by Steph Strine, who has 31 goals and 16 assists. She’s helped by Kim Sharo, who has 19 goals and 15 assists. Seems like a similar team to Rye, which gets almost all its scoring form Lia Bellizzi and Alex Rimmer.

The pick: Cornwall

Class B

Briarcliff (19-1) vs. Lansing (22-0), 4 p.m.: Lansing is the No. 1 ranked team in the state but I have no idea how any Class B team could be ranked higher than Briarcliff. Briarcliff, the defending state champion, is 19-1, has killed basically every opponent, and lost its only game to a great Nanuet team in overtime when it played without arguably its best player, Liana Cornacchio. For Lansing, sophomore Kathryn Hornibrook and junior Ellyn Grant-Keane each have more than 30 goals. Megan Palladino is also a threat. This appears to be a great matchup with the winner likely winning the state title. (To be fair, I said the Nanuet-Briarcliff winner would likely win the state title…so I guess I have to stick with Briarcliff.)

The pick: Briarcliff

Class C: North Salem (14-5-2) vs. Stony Brook (6-5-2), 6:30 p.m.

North Salem hasn’t lost to any Class C teams this year and I don’t think it will in this spot. Alexia Shea and Michelle Kay are controlling games and Torrie Crenson has been solid in net. North Salem will need to focus on Karina Scavo, who scored both of Stony Brook’s goals in a 2-1 win in the Long Island championship over Friends Academy.

The pick: North Salem

So there are still three area teams with dreams. Three holding on to the hop of the magical ending.

Class A: Rye

Class B: Briarcliff

Class C: North Salem

Yesterday, the spotlight belonged solely to North Salem with Rye and Briarcliff receiving byes into the regional final. The 1-0 win over Tuxedo was tight, very tight. If the two teams played ten times, it would probably be split 5-5. Alexia Shea’s goal in this game was such a perfect shot that she’d be hard-pressed to repeat it to the identical spot if she tried it again. From 25 yards out, she used her left foot to unleash a perfect strike.

Not surprisingly, the goal was enough for North Salem, which has not allowed a goal in three playoff games.

So North Salem is three wins away from a state title and the Tigers have a real shot. They’re in a position they expected to be and they’re going to be playing teams that don’t even approach some of those they have already played and handled themselves well against.

Here are the teams that beat North Salem this season: Mahopac (Class AA quarterfinalist) Rye Neck (undefeated regular season in Class B), Dobbs Ferry (Class B quarterfinalist), Bronxville (15-1-2 in regular season, Class B semifinalist), Arlington (lost to John Jay-East Fishkill in Class AA final). What an unbelievably impressive schedule for a Class C school.

It’s paying off.

I just finished cranking out my game stories on both these games. (Colleague Eric Lebowitz covered the Class C game. The AA game was between two teams that The Journal News does not cover.)

Here are some thoughts.

Class A 

If Rye’s Lia Bellizzi isn’t the most skilled on-the-ball player in the section, she’s in the top handful. I haven’t seen a player who can dribble out of incredibly tight spots to create room for herself with such poises and consistency as Bellizzi does.

There was a moment in the Rye-Lourdes game that I didn’t have room to describe in my game story, which you can all read tomorrow, that I want to share.

Bellizzi had a semi-breakaway in the first half, but she only got it because she beat two defenders who were swarmed all over her once she got the ball. It was an incredible play. One that only a truly technically-skilled player could make.

But her individual exploits and talents would be meaningless if it wasn’t for an entire team that truly has figured out exactly how to play to its strengths. Rye is a team right now making almost no mental mistakes. Its players seems to understand exactly what is expected of them and are doing the job.

Its one thing to yell “together” at the end of a pregame huddle. Its another to actually play together. Rye is doing both right now.

Class B

Just like that, it’s over for Nanuet. It always seems cruel in some ways when an undefeated team ends its season in the playoffs in a one-and-done scenario. What a season Nanuet has had. The Golden Knights were the only team to beat Briarcliff in Section 1 in the last three years and have gone through the season in machine-like fashion.

Talking to the Briarcliff players after the game, each and every one of them stressed how much the loss to Nanuet during the regular season really stayed with them throughout the year and how they wanted another shot.

“It really gave us an extra urge to win,” Savina Reid said.

On some level, I think Nanuet benefitted from beating Briarcliff during the regular season. It proved to the players that Briarcliff was actually beatable. And of course, it was an incredible moment for Nanuet.

But ultimately, it may have done more harm than good. Briarcliff knew exactly what it was facing in Nanuet and knew it needed to play a crisp 80 minutes to win another title. There was no chance Nanuet could have surprised Briarcliff yesterday. Perhaps it could have if the last image Briarcliff had of Nanuet was last year’s sectional championship game.

I always think its a great idea to schedule as many tough non-league games as possible both to challenge players and to prepare them for the playoffs. I’m just not sure if it helped Nanuet in this particular instance. Still, Nanuet and Briarcliff deserve credit for scheduling that game in the first place.

It works both ways, of course. Nanuet benefitted from a first-hand look at Briarcliff as well. 

Great season for both teams.

John Jay wins 4-3 in penalty kicks after the teams played to a 0-0 draw through regulation and OT. JJEF will meet the Section 4 or Section 9 champ on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Yorktown in the regional finals.

CLASS A: No. 3 Rye vs. No. 4 Our Lady of Lourdes

It’s the beginning of the second half and all is quiet so far, 0-0.

Update, 2:56 p.m.: Looks like I spoke too soon. Lia Bellizzi just scored for Rye on a rebound with 34 minutes left in the half. Rye 1, Lourdes 0.

Update, 3:33 p.m.: It’s over folks. Rye downs Lourdes 1-0. The Garnets will host either Section 4 or Section 9 on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Yorktown in the regional finals.

CLASS B: No. 1 Nanuet vs. No. 3 Briarcliff

Update, 4:05 p.m.: Savina Reid gives Briarcliff a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game. She scored on a header, taking a throw-in from Liana Cornacchio out of the air.

Update, 4:07 p.m.: Moving fast and furious in the Class B final. Nikki Sapanaro just scored for Nanuet after a failed clearing attempt by a Briarcliff defender banked in off Sapanaro and into the net. Briarcliff 1, Nanuet 1.

Update, 4:39 p.m.: The reigning state champ strikes again. Cornacchio scored on a header off a corner from Katie Underwood with 1:41 left in the half. Briarcliff 2, Nanuet 1.

Update, 4:41 p.m.: It’s halftime, still 2-1 Briarcliff.

Update, 5:14 p.m.: It’s still 2-1 Briarcliff with 18 1/2 minutes to play. They are down to crunch time.

Update, 5:20 p.m.: Savina Reid just scored her second goal of the game on a 20-yard rocket. The goal gave the Bears a two-goal cushion with just 14:00 minutes to play. Briarcliff 3-1.

Update, 5:34 p.m.: Briarcliff wins it 3-1. This is the third year in a row the Bears have defeated Nanuet to win the Class B title.

Briarcliff advanced to meet either the Section 4 champ or the Section 9 champ on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Yorktown in the regional final.

Class C: No. 2 North Salem vs. No. 4 Valhalla

Update, 7:03 p.m.: North Salem leads 2-0 at the half. Goals by Michelle Kern and Michelle Kay.

Update, 8:07 p.m. North Salem wins 3-0. Second-half goal by Alexia Shea.

Class A

No. 3 Rye (14-4-1) vs. No. 4 Lourdes (13-4-1): Rye get its shot to win the sectional title against the defending champion and the team that knocked the Garnets out last season, eliminating Rye in an 11-round shootout. As much as Lourdes will focus on stopping the Lia Belizzi-Alex Rimmer combination, so have all other opponents and haven’t had much success. Ultimately, that will determine the game. If those two can connect on two goals, Rye will likely win. The pick: Rye

Class B 

No. 3 Briarcliff (19-1) vs. No. 1 Nanuet (20-0): It’s the game everyone has expected since the beginning of the year. These two have an annual traditition at this point meeting in the sectional final, and this year could be the best one yet. For those that were fortunate enough to see the regular season game, a 2-1 Nanuet win in overtime, they’ll remember a high-quality game that had the intensity of a playoff game. Imagine the anticipation of tomorrow as these teams meet once again with everything on the line. I don’t care what the state polls say, which rank Nanuet second and Briarcliff sixth currently. To me, the winner of this game is the favorite to win the state title.  The pick: Briarcliff

Class C

No. 4 Valhalla (8-12) vs. No. 2 North Salem (12-5-2): It’s a bit surprising to see Valhalla in this game, considering it had to get past Solomon Schechter in the semifinals. Schechter beat Valhalla 6-1 during the regular season. Great job by the Vikings. This one will be even tougher. North Salem would have been expected to beat Schechter and its expected to win this game as well. The Tigers have had a solid season against a very impressive schedule for a Class C school. The pick: North Salem

I hope every had a chance to see what Bryan Horn, the coach of Byram Hills, wrote about the ending of the Rye-Byram game.

Here it is again for your convenience:

“Rye played a wonderful game against our team today. They played great team defense and Alex Rimmer, as a senior, put the team on her back when she needed to. After the game, the Rye team was as classy as can be by cheering our team as we had our last talk on the field as an active team. I am forever grateful for the class that Rich Savage and his girls displayed this afternoon.”

At Byram Hills on Friday, two teams played with the expected intensity and tenacity that one would expect in a sectional semifinal. The play was high quality, the effort was constant and the desire was relentless. The emotion was there from both teams after the game, not just from Byram Hills players who were trying to come to grips with the end of their season/high school career for seniors.

It was there from Rye too, a team that had the utmost respect for its opponent and was genuinely thrilled to win a game that had been such a battle from the opening whistle to the final one 80 minutes later.

Forget inane cliches like “Who wants it more?” Both teams wanted it…badly, equally. The results of the game had zero to do with Rye “wanting it more” and I’ve yet to figure out how that can even be determined. Rather, Rye won because it executed better than Byram Hills at a few key moments, and that led to two goals and preventing one.

That’s what all these soccer games come down to between even teams that are familiar with each other and can’t really pull any tricks: executing well and being opportunistic.

All games at Yorktown.

Class AA – No. 7 Arlington vs. No. 1 John Jay-East Fishkill, 11 a.m.

Class A – No. 4 Lourdes vs. No. 3 Ry, 1:30 p.m.

Class B – No. 3 Briarcliff vs. No. 1 Nanuet, 4 p.m.

Class C – No. 4 Valhalla vs. No. 2 North Salem, 6 :30 p.m.

I’ll have a preview out tomorrow on the blog.

John Jay-East Fishkill 3, Mamaroneck 0

Arlington 2, North Rockland 1, OT

Class A

Lourdes 2, Somers 0

Rye 2, Bryam Hills 0

Class B

Nanuet 1, Bronxville 0

Briarcliff 2, Albertus Magnus 0

Class C

North Salem 2, Haldane 0

Valhalla 3, Solomon Schechter 3 (Valhalla advances 4-3 on penalty kicks)

More coming later…