The LoHud Girls Soccer Blog

I realize the list came out on Monday, but for those who didn’t get a chance to see it, here is the NYSSCOGS/NYSSWA all-state girls soccer team for 2011:

Class AA

Co-Players of the Year:
Jill Mulholland (MacArthur-8) and Samantha McGuire (John Jay EF-1)

Coach of the Year:
Dave Prutting (St. Anthony’s-CHS)

First Team
01 12 A Samantha McGuire (John Jay East Fishkill)
01 12 M Miranda Tarpey (Arlington)
04 12 M Samantha Crane (Corning)
05 12 M Leah Eamus (Webster Thomas)
06 12 D Alexis Kroese (Williamsville North)
08 12 M Jill Mulholland (MacArthur)
08 12 M Colleen Reynolds (Farmingdale)
08 12 G Cassie Betancourt (Syosset)
11 12 M Cari Roccaro (East Islip)
11 12 A Rosy Hayes (Northport)
C 12 D Margo McGinty (St. Anthony’s)
Second Team
01 12 D Katherine Burrell (Clarkstown South)
02 12 G Elizabeth Rogan (Saratoga)
02 10 A Meghan Doyle (Niskayuna)
05 12 M Audrey Hayward (Brockport)
06 12 M Jenna Panepinto (Kenmore West)
08 12 D Kelly Kempf (MacArthur)
08 12 A Shanice Robe (Valley Stream Central)
09 12 M Brianna Butler (Washingtonville)
11 12 A Kristi Abbate (Northport)
11 12 G Alicia Ramos (Ward Melville)
C 12 A Reanna Marino (St. Anthony’s)
Third Team
01 12 A Charlotte Miller (Scarsdale)
02 11 A Tara Teal (Bethlehem)
02 11 D Demi Feder (Ballston Spa)
02 11 G Katie Nickles (Bethlehem)
03 12 A Kim Murphy (Liverpool)
05 10 M Tess Pullano (Penfield)
05 12 D Danielle Lehmann (Brockport)
06 12 M Alexis Koral (Williamsville North)
08 10 M Kayla Capuzzo (Calhoun)
09 12 D D’Yonna Riley (Washingtonville)
C 12 M Leanne Miller (Kellenberg)
Fourth Team
01 11 G Katherine Burbank (Fox Lane)
02 11 A Kristen Connors (Shenendehowa)
02 12 M Isabella Wager (Saratoga)
03 12 M Jackie Firenze (Baldwinsville)
04 11 M Rachel Terry (Vestal)
05 11 G Brenna Mason (Webster Thomas)
08 11 D Anna Senata (Massapequa)
09 12 M Nicole Gerber (Monroe-Woodbury)
11 12 M Stephanie Peragallo (Hauppauge)
11 12 A Amanda Martinez (West Islip)
C 12 M Natalie Cikos (LI Sacred Heart)
Fifth Team
01 12 A Abby Baigelman (Mamaroneck)
02 10 M Liisi Vink Lainas (Troy)
02 12 A Stephanie Church (Shaker)
03 11 M Emma Firenze (Baldwinsville)
05 12 A Lauren Hill (Webster Thomas)
05 12 G Brittany Brown (Greece Athena)
06 11 M Hannah Krofut (Williamsville North)
11 12 A Emily Ude (North Babylon)
11 12 D Katie LaManna (Smithtown West)
C 12 D Emily Korber (St. Anthony’s)
P 12 A Jackie Bruno (McKee/SI Tech)
Sixth Team
01 12 D Krystine Alvear (Ossining)
02 12 M Shannon McMillan (Shenendehowa)
02 11 A Laurie Knapp (Guilderland)
03 12 M Erica Germain (West Genesee)
04 12 M Laura Hillman (Elmira)
05 09 A Stef Drago (Greece Athena)
05 11 M Alexa Antetomaso (Webster Schroeder)
06 12 A Alexis Panepinto (Kenmore West)
11 12 D Jordan Poretto (Ward Melville)
C 12 A Shannon Brady (Syosset Mercy)
11 12 G Kim Comstock (Comsewogue)

Class A

Player of the Year:
Olivia Czavar (West Hempstead-8)

Coach of the Year:
Shannon McEntee (Rockville Centre South Side-8)

First Team
01 12 G Beth Coppolecchia (Somers)
01 12 A Melissa Menta (Somers)
05 12 D Heaven Palamitta (Aquinas)
05 11 A Julia Delgatti (Mercy)
08 12 A Olivia Czavar (West Hempstead)
08 11 D Alexa Schneider (Levittown Division)
08 12 D Nichole Wahlig (Clarke)
08 10 A Christina Klaum (Rockville Centre South Side)
11 12 M Kimberly Marra (Sayville)
11 12 M Rebecca Raber (Bayport-Blue Point)
11 11 M Morgan Santoro (Islip)
Second Team
01 12 A Sarah Schuker (Nanuet)
02 10 A Morgan Burchhardt (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake)
02 12 A Erin Fish (South Glens Falls)
05 12 A Abby Williams (Pittsford Mendon)
06 10 A Carissima Cutrona (Williamsville South)
06 12 G Stephanie Senn (Grand Island)
08 12 A Allison Merrill (Island Trees)
08 12 D Caitlyn Wallace (Rockville Centre South Side)
09 11 A Caroline Staudle (Cornwall)
11 12 M Kari Quinn (Shoreham-Wading River)
11 12 A Kayla Ceshini (Miller Place)
Third Team
01 11 M Marissa Scognamiglio (Pearl River)
02 11 A Sammy Blizzard (South Glens Falls)
02 12 D Nicole Shively (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake)
03 12 A Tessa Devereaux (Jamesville-DeWitt)
05 12 G Kelsey Hurley (Honeoye Falls-Lima)
08 12 M Savanna Campana (New Hyde Park)
08 12 M Krista Fitzpatrick (Levittown Division)
09 12 A Elena Howland (Red Hook)
11 11 D Amanda Buck (Islip)
11 12 M Emily Meier (Sayville)
C 12 A Gianna Smith (St. Joseph Hill)
Fourth Team
01 12 D Brynn Moynihan (Pearl River)
01 12 D Taryn Brady (Nyack)
02 12 A Silvana Giavannone (Scotia-Glenville)
02 12 D Calli Moise (Lansingburgh)
02 12 G Carole Montanino (Lansingburgh)
04 12 M Courtney Malia (Owego)
05 11 D Christina Fluman (Pittsford Mendon)
05 09 A Charlotte Williams (Brighton)
06 12 D Kate Edwards (Williamsville South)
06 12 A Kristi DeLabio (Starpoint)
11 11 A Madison Hoon (Sayville)
Fifth Team
02 11 M Miranda Haraughty (Glens Falls)
02 12 M Quinn Massaroni (Holy Names)
03 11 M/A Jessica Holmes (Jamesville-DeWitt)
03 11 M Jennifer Deuel (Whitesboro)
04 11 A Erin Salvody (Maine-Endwell)
05 11 D Samantha Greenhagen (Eastridge)
05 12 G Krysten Kane (Wayne)
09 12 D Amanda Fasano (Cornwall)
11 12 M Marissa Benson (Harborfields)
11 12 M Shannon McDonnell (Shoreham-Wading River)
11 12 D Danielle Heyder (Bayport-Blue Point)

Class B

Player of the Year:
Taylor Florio (Schalmont-2) and
Taylor Haenlin (Lowville-3)

Coach of the Year:
Angelo Caschera (Schalmont-2)

First Team
01 12 D Shannon Crawford (Bronxville)
01 12 G Grace Devlin (Bronxville)
02 12 D Taylor Florio (Schalmont)
02 12 A Megan Strijek (Schalmont)
03 12 A Taylor Haenlin (Lowville)
03 12 M Kathryn Busa (Marcellus)
04 11 M Leigh Ann Bennett (Dryden)
05 11 A Kori Hughes (Midlakes)
07 12 M Amanda Hamilton (Ausable Valley)
07 12 A Jessica Huber (Beekmantown)
11 12 M Alexis Parlato (Center Moriches)
Second Team
01 12 M Maddy Shaw (Briarcliff)
02 10 A Katie Herba (Broadalbin-Perth)
02 12 A Alex VanAuken (Greenville)
02 11 M Alexandra Cardinal (Schalmont)
04 12 A Karsen Schultz (Oneonta)
05 11 A Liz Dohr (Greece Odyssey)
05 10 M Jessica Marlowe (Greece Odyssey)
06 12 M Gabbriella Balseca (Newfane)
AIS 12 A Cat Williams (Nichols)
09 11 G Beesanne Kurzman (Spackenkill)
11 12 M Liz Lasota (Mattituck)
Third Team
01 12 M Jessica Tarangioli (Bronxville)
02 12 G Jacqueline Hall (Hudson)
03 12 M Kelly Ristoff (Westhill)
04 12 M Lindsay Aingworth (Binghamton Seton)
05 11 M Emily Tucker (Greece Odyssey)
05 12 M Hunter Pierce (Livonia)
AIS 12 D Zoe Jackson-Gibson (Nichols)
06 12 A Hannah Phearsdorf (Allegany-Limestone)
07 10 A Lindsey Bushey (Peru)
07 12 M Stephanie Clookey (Beekmantown)
08 12 M Melissa Duarte (Carle Place)
Fourth Team
01 12 D/M Gabriela De Frutos (Briarcliff)
01 11 A Brenna Brown (North Salem)
02 12 A Sarah Bower (Emma Willard)
02 12 A Alicia Mink (Ichabod Crane)
03 12 M Olivia Hanno (Lowville)
04 11 M Dani Nicosia (Oneonta)
05 11 M Colleen Smith (Hornell)
05 12 G Cassie Pope (Livonia)
05 11 M Brynn Lauer (Newark)
06 12 G Lindsey Forness (Allegany-Limestone)
09 11 A Sarah Glassberg (Spackenkill)
Fifth Team
02 11 M Victoria Marotta (Broadalbin-Perth)
02 11 A Diana DiCocco (Schalmont)
04 12 M Marissa Walsh (Chenango Forks)
05 12 M Alena Comella (Palmyra-Macedon)
05 12 D Dana Nau (Palmyra-Macedon)
05 12 D Annie Stevenson (Midlakes)
09 11 G Avianna Velasquez (Highland Falls O’Neill)
09 11 M Kimmy Peterson (Highland Falls O’Neill)
10 12 A Karyss Terrance (Salmon River)
11 12 G Kelsey Glanzman (Center Moriches)
11 12 D Takie Plummer (Center Moriches)

Class C

Player of the Year:
Alice Hayden (Hoosick Falls-2) and
Kristina Iodanou (Friends Academy-8)

Coach of the Year:
Tom Husser (Hoosick Falls-2) and
Gail Baker (Friends Academy-8)

First Team
02 12 A Abby Maiello (Mechanicville)
02 11 D Alice Hayden (Hoosick Falls)
02 12 M Maritza Gonzalez (Hoosick Falls)
04 12 A Rachel Lamoreaux (Elmira Notre Dame)
04 12 M Tiffanie McIntosh (Lansing)
05 11 D Gabrielle D’Angelo (Keshequa)
05 12 M Danielle Casaceli (Caledonia-Mumford)
06 12 A Kandis Kapucinski (Holland)
08 11 M Kristina Iodanou (Friends Academy)
09 11 M Gladys Loyas (Florida)
11 10 G Mikaela Stiklickas (Stony Brook)
Second Team
02 12 D Rachel Moore (Hoosic Valley)
02 11 A Taylor Czajkowski (Maple Hill)
02 12 A Mattia Cornell (Schoharie)
03 12 G Vanessa Jecko (Sauquoit Valley)
03 12 A Elisa Marchione (Sauquoit Valley)
04 12 D Joanna Barrett (Lansing)
04 12 M Bernadette Gublo (Elmira Notre Dame)
05 11 D Kristin Jackson (Keshequa)
05 11 A Kelly Duval (Addison)
08 11 M Heather Maierle (Friends Academy)
11 10 A Maried Swords (Port Jefferson)
Third Team
02 12 A Meg McKee (Hoosick Falls)
02 12 M Alysa Russell (Mechanicville)
02 12 G Anissa Anuszewski (Greenwich)
03 12 A Jessica Riggall (Tully)
04 12 M Molly Maguire (Walton)
05 11 M Ashley Sutryk (Addison)
05 12 A Julia Pettys (Alexander)
06 12 A Emily Foy (Frewsburg)
08 11 D Marissa Tidona (Friends Academy)
08 10 D Kristina Kim (Friends Academy)
11 10 A Olivia Racanelli (Port Jefferson)
Fourth Team
02 12 A Carolyn Gibbins (Galway)
02 10 A Amanda Roney (Middleburgh)
02 12 M Emily Downie (Albany Academy)
03 12 D Emily Wheeler (Bishop Ludden)
04 10 A Paige Wilcox (Greene)
04 09 A Shea McCartney (Lansing)
04 11 A Sarah Mannina (Unatego)
05 11 D Jackie Stryker (Wheatland Chili)
05 12 M Syndee Worth (Caledonia-Mumford)
06 12 A Tess Follman (Salamanca)
09 12 M Mallory Peterson (Millbrook)
Fifth Team
01 10 M Jessica Harrison (Haldane)
02 12 M Alicia Lewis (Hoosic Valley)
02 12 A Mollie Lauver (Cambridge)
02 11 A Grace Delurey (Hoosick Falls)
03 09 A Jessie Murray (Morrisville-Eaton)
04 12 A Taylor Trask (Newfield)
04 11 D Brittany Schutrum (Elmira Notre Dame)
05 12 G Alex Shepard (York)
06 12 G Shawna Sprout (Portville)
08 12 A Jamie Gennat (Friends)
09 12 A Danielle Stam (Florida)

In case you missed it, here are the Journal News Westchester/Putnam All Stars and the Rockland County All Stars.

Melissa Rodriguez of Somers was named the Journal News Westchester/Putnam Athlete of the Season and on the Rockland side of things, Nanuet’s Sarah Schucker was named the Journal News Rockland Athlete of the Season.

Here is the All-section list, along with the MVP and Coach of the Year selections for each league. The list will also appear in Friday’s paper as well.

Congratulations to all of the All-Section and Honorable Mention selections this year!

League I-A
MVP: Samantha McGuire, John Jay-East Fishkill.
Coach: Kieran McIlvenny, Arlington.
All-section: Teri Elwood, Carmel, Samantha Emery, John Jay-East Fishkill; Samantha McGuire, John Jay-East Fishkill; Samantha Pandiscia, Mahopac; Shannon Palmer, Arlington; Toriana Patterson, Yorktown; Miranda Tarpey, Arlington.
Honorable mention: Erin Felix, Mahopac; Kelsey Malles, Ketcham; Brianna Quijano, Ketcham; Mary Riley, Lourdes.

League I-B
MVP: Beth Coppolecchia, Somers.
Coach: Sal Zuccaro, Brewster.
All-section: Brenna Brown, North Salem; Beth Coppolecchia, Somers; Melissa Menta, Somers; Rachel Myers, Panas; Melissa Rodriguez, Somers; Rori Stark, Brewster; Hannah Wear, John Jay.
Honorable mention: Noemie BeBechu, North Salem; Carolyn Casey, Somers; Callie Deitrick, John Jay; Meghan Lynch, Hen Hud; Laurel Reed, Lakeland.

League I-C
MVP: Daniella Torchia, Kennedy.
Coach: Helmut Gspurning, Kennedy.
All-section: Jessica Harrison, Haldane; Catherine Kastberg, Kennedy; Noriana Radwan, Beacon; Carolyn Schaefer, Haldane; Jessica Sheehan, Beacon; Daniella Torchia, Kennedy; L. Wood, Poughkeepsie.
Honorable mention: Anni Jacketti, Beacon; Ally Montelleone, Haldane; Shannon Spillane, Kennedy; Megan Wood, Dover.

League II-A
MVP: Sarah Landau, Solomon Schechter.
Coach: Ryan Garland, Solomon Schechter.
All-section: Sarah Landau, Solomon Schechter.
Honorable mention: Allessandra Cirillo, Tuckahoe; Emma Sukenik, Solomon Schechter.

League II-B
MVP: Charlotte Miller, Scarsdale.
Coach: Mary Ciamei, New Rochelle.
All-section: Abby Baigelman, Mamaroneck; Anima Banks, Mamaroneck; Jasmine Cambell, White Plains; Shannon Carty, New Rochelle; Kelly Clare, New Rochelle; Emma Dolgos, Ursuline; Sarah Frohman, Scarsdale; Sam Kiratty, Scarsdale; Charlotte Miller, Scarsdale; Taylor O’Brien, Ursuline.
Honorable mention: Charlotte Alimanestianu, Mamaroneck; Jamie Carfora, Ursuline; Erika Smith, Scarsdale; Francesca Tatti, Scarsdale; Alexandra Williams, New Rochelle.

League II-C
MVP: Aimee Tavzel, Ardsley.
Coach: Marc Hattem, Ardsley.
All-section: Jamie Bucci, Sleepy Hollow; Fallon Sheridan, Ardsley; Aimee Tavzel, Ardsley.
Honorable mention: Helene Hall, Irvington; Jen Onwe, Sleepy Hollow; Sara Sylla Ardsley.

League II-D
Co-MVP: Grace Devlin, Bronxville and Shannon Crawford, Bronxville.
Coach: Don Cupertino, Bronxville.
All-section: Aelish Aoki, Edgemont; Shannon Crawford, Bronxville; Grace Devlin, Bronxville; Jacqueline Ehrenreich, Edgemont; Caroline Eicher, Pelham; Casey McMahon, Eastchester; Derbhla O’Connor, Pelham; Amy Pepe, Bronxville; Marcel Schepisi, Eastchester; Jessica Tarangioli, Bronxville.
Honorable mention: Ashley Gietl, Bronxville; Cubby Stiefvater, Pelham.

League III-A
MVP: Vanessa Romero, Valhalla.
Co-Coach: Skip Pennacchio, Valhalla and Michael Martino, Blind Brook.
All-section: Jazmine Acosta, Port Chester; Kristina Caridi, Valhalla; Jade Fumarelli, Valhalla; Samantha Handler, Blind Brook; Vanessa Romero, Valhalla; Kasey Silverman, Blind Brook; Lucy Wedge, Valhalla.
Honorable mention: Evelyn Britto, Britto; Nora Fisher, Blind Brook; Daisy Gomez, Port Chester; Jenna Popplausky, Blind Brook.

League III-B
MVP: Gabriela De Frutos, Briarcliff and Krystine Alvear, Ossining.
Coach: Owen Scully, Briarcliff.
All-section: Krystine Alvear, Ossining; Sarah Elkes, Briarcliff; Gabriela De Frutos, Briarcliff; Kayla Encalada, Ossining; Patricia Garibaldi, Pleasantville; Lauren Lopano, Croton-Harmon; Maddy Shaw, Briarcliff.
Honorable mention: Kathleen Farrell, Westlake; Caity Murray, Croton-Harmon; Andrea Neski, Ossining; Melissa Wagner, Croton-Harmon.

League III-C
MVP: Issy Berkey, Horace Greeley.
Coach: Erin Tracey, Horace Greeley.
All-section: Issy Berkey, Horace Greeley; Kate Burbank, Fox Lane; Jackie Fonesca, Harrison; Claudia Hammerschmidt, Byram Hills; Jacqueline Ingraldi, Fox Lane; Olivia Kerester, Horace Greeley; Vania Ludman, Rye; Katie Mak, Horace Greeley.
Honorable mention: Kate Faxon, Harrison; Melissa Fuerst, Byram Hills; Kristina Ingraldi, Fox Lane; Kelly McRedmond, Rye.

League IV-A
MVP: Katie Burrell, Clarkstown South.
Coach: Vinny Apicella, North Rockland.
All-section: Katie Burrell, Clarkstown South; Brittany Cruz, Suffern; Ellie Mckinstry, Clarkstown North; Kaitlyn Montera, Clarkstown South; Erin Reilly, North Rockland; Shannon Robinson, North Rockland.
Honorable mention: Juliana Cabrera, North Rockland; Briana Jean-Charles, Clarkstown South; Michaela Maraquit, Suffern.

League IV-B
MVP: Sarah Schucker, Nanuet.
Coach: Tim Peabody, Pearl River.
All-section: Taryn Brady, Nyack; Brynn Moynihan, Pearl River; Sarah Schucker, Nanuet, Marissa Scognamiglio, Pearl River; Krissy Smith, Tappan Zee.
Honorable mention: Kaitlyn McNamara, Albertus Magnus; Melissa Richards, Nanuet; Casey Walsh, Pearl River.

The Class A State Championship will be underway in 15 minutes….Somers vs. Section 8’s South Side

Update 1: The pre-game announcements have just been made and both teams are ready to go. Somers comes in with a record of 20-1-1 and South Side with 14-2-4.

Update 2: We are 10 minutes into the first half, both teams have one shot on goal.

Update 3: Hitting the midway point of the first half, still no score.

Update 4: It’s been pretty even through the first 30 minutes of the game, with both teams getting a couple of chances.

Update 5: There’s 5 minutes left in the first half with neither team able to get the advantage.

Update 6: Last 2 minutes of the first half.

Update 7: With less than 10 seconds left in the half, M-Rod sets up Melissa Righetti, who just misses the left corner of the net with her shot. End of the first half, scoreless.

Update 8: The second half is now underway.

Update 9: South Side started the second half with a scoring chance that was stopped by defender Alexa Baiano…10 minutes into the second half, still scoreless.

Update 10: At the midway point of a scoreless game, South Side has controlled a majority of this half.

Update 11: There hasn’t been a shot on goal in a while, just 10 minutes left.

Update 12: Less than 5 minutes to play, 0-0.

Update 13: Time expires with no score, heading into overtime.

Update 14: Overtime is underway and Somers looks in control at the start

Update 15: Less than 5 to go…it’s definitely gotten a lot colder out here.

Update 16: South Side has turned up the pressure and Somers keeper Beth Coppolecchia makes 2 great stops.

Update 17: First overtime comes to a close, still 0-0.

Update 18: The second 10-minute overtime has begun.

Update 19: The game has gotten very physical in the last 2 minutes of play…the period has come to a close

Update 20: Two 5-minute sudden death periods will now be played, if at the end of both the game is still tied then a co-champion will be crowned.

Update 21: The first sudden death period is underway, 2 minutes have gone by already.

Update 22: On a South Side corner, the ball hit the goal post…under a minute to go.

Update 23: Heading into the last 5 minutes of overtime. If neither team scores, then we will have co-champions.

Update 24: Final 2 minutes of the game.

Update 25: With a little over a minute left, South Side scores to win the game.

Class A recap:

Somers is battered, but its fight remains steady as ever.

With a handful of injuries on the roster and players playing through the pain, which was very evident on Saturday, the Tuskers have pulled together another great win in the playoffs. This time, a 1-0 victory over Burnt Hills in the Class A state semifinals matchup.

The wind was a major factor in how the game played out and Somers used the wind to its advantage in the first half.

Melissa Righetti put herself in the right position on a goal-kick by Burnt Hills keeper Florie Comley and was able to chip the ball over the head of Comley to give the Tuskers an early lead that they would never relinquish.

Whoever had the wind going in their direction, had the control of the game. In the first half it was Somers, but once Burnt Hills began to play with the wind in the second half, the momentum shifted.

Unlike Burnt Hills though, the Somers defense held strong and behind the solid goalkeeping of Beth Coppolecchia, who made a game-saving stop with 30 seconds remaining in the game, the Tuskers were able to protect their lead and win to advance to the state championship.

It’s also important to note that with two minutes to go and the Spartans on the attack, Righetti saved the game with her clear after there was a scramble for the ball in front of the Somers net. Coppolecchia was even out of position at one point, but the clearing effort by Righetti gave her keeper a chance to get back.

In the end, it came down to how Somers was able to handle adversity once again. When their team needed a boost, they got one. It’s been remarkable how many different girls have been able to step up for the Tuskers through the postseason. Righetti, a freshman, was just another example of how the Tuskers display a very deep and talented roster.

We will find out tomorrow if they have the strength to finish their magical run in the playoffs and claim what would be the first state championship in program history.

Somers vs. Section 8’s South Side will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Homer High School. I will be there covering all the action, live blogging from my phone once again so check here for updates tomorrow.

Now moving onto the Class B state semifinals matchup:

It was pretty shocking to see Bronxville go out the way they did against Schalmont tonight.

The Broncos’ major strength all season long has been their defense, but tonight and for the first time since that early season opening game against Scarsdale (a 4-1 loss), the Bronxville defense couldn’t stop its opponent.

You have to give credit to Schalmont’s top scorer in Megan Strijek though.

She came into the game leading Section 2 in goals with 41 this year and she was on a mission to add to that total. Tallying three goals in a 12-minute span in the second half, Strijek assured the Sabres would close this game out with a win.

After containing her throughout the first half, though they still trailed by one goal heading into the second half, the Bronxville defense collapsed in the second half. And it seemed to me after that second goal was scored, the team had put their heads down and I don’t want to say given up completely, but they definitely started feeling some heavy pressure, as the time ticked away.

With the 4-0 loss, the Broncos season comes to a close, but they can sure be proud of the season they put together.

The defending state champions will lose their crown, but can look back on a season where they made it back to the state semifinals and they have nothing to be ashamed of this season after putting together 17 wins via shutout.

Bronxville will lose a lot of key players on its roster to graduation, but despite that fact, expect them to be right back into the competitive mix next year. The question looming for the Broncos is who is going to step up next year?

Sorry for the delay, I’m having some technical difficulties with the wireless in the pressbox…The Bronxville vs. Schalmont game is under way and is about 10 minutes into the first half, no score yet.

Update 1: There is about 25 minutes remaining in the half and Bronxville’s Taylor Reynolds had the games only good scoring chance so far carrying the ball 35 yards before unleashing a shot that was stopped by the Schalmont keeper Karley Murray.

Update 2: Schalmont gets on the board first with a goal in the 20th minute scored by Diana DiCocco on an assist from Hannah Saccocio.

Update 3: That’s the first goal that Bronxville has allowed in the playoffs this year, so it should be interesting how they respond.

Update 4: Schalmont holding onto a 1-0 lead, with 10 minites left in the first half.

Update 5: Five minutes left and Bronxville hasn’t had much offense in the first half.

Update 6: Hitting the last 2 minutes of the half, both keepers have stopped two shots on goal.

Update 7: At the end of the half, Schalmont has a 1-0 lead.

Update 8: The second half is underway.

Update 9: We are 10 minutes into the second half and neither team with many chances…and as I just typed that Schalmont adds their second goal on a header to make it 2-0.

Update 10: Schalmont’s goal had been scored by the Sabres leadin scorer in Megan Strijek on the assist was Rachael Gac.

Update 11: Strijek beats Bronxville keeper to the ball and buries her second goal of the game, four minutes later on an assist from Alexandra Cardinal.

Update 12: Bronxville trails 3-0 with 20 minutes remaining in the game.

Update 13: On a rebound shot, Strijek gets the hat-trick to give the Sabres 4-0 lead with 16 minutes left. It’s her 44th goal on the season.

Update 14: With about seven minutes to go in the game, it doesn’t look good for the Broncos as time is running out. Schalmont keeper Murray just made a good stop on a shot by Jess Tarangioli.

Update 15: A goalie switch for Schalmont with 3 minutes left, Gabrielle Juers comes in and makes a quick save.

Bronxville is shut out 4-0 in the loss.

Somers (19-1-1) vs. Burnt Hills (17-4)

The winner of this matchup will move onto the state championship game Sunday (tomorrow) at 1 p.m., which will be played at Homer High School.

Update 1: The teams are warming up now and will begin in about 17 minutes.

Update 2: Burnt Hills is considered the away team and Somers the home team in this contest. The pregame announcements are being made now.

Update 3: Somers’ Melissa Menta (sporting a brace on her right knee) will be playing and is in the starting lineup.

Update 4: And the game has begun with Burnt Hills on the attack first.

Update 5: With a little over 27 minutes to play, Burnt Hills had its second corner kick of the game so far, but was unable to finish.

Update 5: Somers is playing with the wind in the first half. Both teams have taken a shot each, but have missed the net wide.

Update 6: With 25:55 left to play in the first half, Somers strikes first and takes advantage of a mis-play from the Burnt Hills goalie Florie Comley, as Melissa Righetti beats her to the ball and chips it over her head to give the Tuskers an early 1-0 lead.

Update 7: With a little over 15 minutes left in the first half, Somers’ Jessica Fanelli does a good job to break-up a Burnt Hills scoring chance.

Update 8: There is 10 minutes to go in the first half, with Somers clinging to a 1-0 lead.

Update 9: Heading near the five-minute mark in the first half and Burnt Hills keeper Comley has to make a save on a ball that curved right into her arms.

Update 10: Burnt Hills Morgan Burchhardt races down to get a shot on a quick attack, but it went wide-right of Somers keeper Beth Coppolecchia. We are just under four-minutes remaining in the half.

Update 11: Somers takes a 1-0 lead going into the second half. Somers has two shots-on-goal and Burnt Hills has none.

Update 12: The second half is about to begin and should be interesting how Somers plays against the wind now.

Update 13: Three minutes into the second half Burnt Hills get an early scoring opportunity but fails to get the shot-on-goal, but moments later the Spartans’ leading scorer Morgan Burchhardt puts a tough spin on her shot that Somers keeper Beth Coppolecchia has to stop. It marks the Spartans first shot-on-goal in the game.

Update 14: Ten minutes has passed in the second half, that saw two Burnt Hills shots-on-goal. Somers still up 1-0.

Update 15: Burnt Hills Nicole Shivley takes a direct kick from about 30 yards out right into the arms of Coppolecchia with about 26 minutes left to play in the game.

Update 16: Hitting the midway point of the second half, Burnt Hills still trails Somers 1-0, as Coppolecchia stops her fifth shot of the half. The action has been mainly from the Spartans this half, as they have taken advantage of playing with the wind, like Somers had done in the first half.

Update 17: Just under 8 minutes to go in the game, as the Somers defense remains strong behind the play from keeper Coppolecchia.

Update 18: Hitting the five minute mark now, Somers begins to put on some pressure as Righetti just misses a ball that looked destined for the back of the net, but was just a bit wide.

Update 19: With 2 minutes left to go, Burnt Hills gets a scoring chance but Righetti comes up big for Somers and is able to clear a loose ball….Coppolecchia makes a key stop w/ less than a minute to go and Somers holds on for the 1-0 win.

Congratulations to Somers for advancing to the state championship for the first time in program history. They will be facing Section 8’s South Side for the Class A state title.

Due to the amount of hours I had put in over the last two weeks, I had been given off since Tuesday, so I was unable to blog during the week leading up to the state semifinals matchups. That’s unfortunately just one of the many downfalls of being a part-time reporter and not a full-timer. To answer some questions, I do have the All-Section list and will be posting it on Monday. It had been faxed over to me a couple of days ago, but again, I was not in the office to receive it and pass along to everyone here.

I am currently in Cortland now, ready to cover both games tomorrow. I will be updating the blog with all the action for those of you who couldn’t make the very long trip here.

In case you missed it in Thursday’s paper, here are the two previews for the State Final Four matchups:

Class A state semifinal
Somers (19-1-1) vs. Section 2’s Burnt Hills (17-4)
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Tompkins-Cortland Community College
Key players — Somers — Melissa Rodriguez, Sr., F; Melissa Menta, Sr., F; Beth Coppolecchia, Sr., G; — Burnt Hills — Skye Kaler, Jr., MF; Morgan Burchhardt, So., F; Nicole Shively, Sr., D;
Outlook: Somers escaped the regional finals with a 2-1 triple-overtime win over Cornwall after Melanie Anes scored with 16 seconds left in the sudden-death period. But the win came with a price as Melissa Rodriguez, Melissa Menta, and Bridget Reilly were injured in the game. With a week to rest, Rodriguez and Reilly will return but Menta remains questionable with a knee sprain. Dealing with injuries is nothing new for the Tuskers as they have overcome numerous setbacks this season and have had a very versatile roster that has been capable of stepping up when needed most. Keeper Beth Coppolecchia and the Tuskers’ defense will be busy trying to keep the Spartans’ the high-powered offense off the scoreboard. The Spartans have experience, making it to the final four six of the last seven years. They combine an experienced roster that is more than familiar with playing in the big game.
What’s next: The winner takes on the winner of Section 8’s South Side/Section 6’s Williamsville South in the state championship game at Homer High School on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Class B state semifinal
Bronxville (17-1-2) vs. Section 2’s Schalmont (21-0)
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: White Field, SUNY Cortland
Key players — Bronxville — Jessica Tarangioli, Sr., MF; Shannon Crawford, Sr., D; Grace Devlin, Sr., G; — Schalmont — Megan Strijek, Sr., F; Diana DiCocco, Jr., F; Hannah Saccocio, Sr., MF.
Outlook: Bronxville has been on a mission all season long to defend its state championship and the Broncos remain just two wins away from claiming its second straight state title. The Broncos have gotten this far with a superb defense that’s shut out 17 opponents thanks to the efforts of Shannon Crawford, Amy Pepe, Meredith Donovan, Catherine Bianco, and keeper Grace Devlin, but they have a strong offense to match it. Bronxville has allowed just six goals all year, but it could be tested against Schalmont’s top goal scorer Strijek, who led Section 2 with 41 goals and recently netted her 100th varsity goal in the Sabres’ 1-0 win over Beekmantown in the regional final.
What’s next: The winner takes on the winner of Section 8’s Cold Spring Harbor/Section 5’s Greece Odyssey in the state championship game at Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Bronxville just keeps on rolling.

Behind a rock solid team defense and the play from keeper Grace Devlin, the Broncos have collected yet another shutout win in the playoffs.

Bronxville took down the top-ranked Class B team in the state in Oneonta during Saturday’s 1-0 win at Yorktown High School in the regional finals.

They needed just one goal to do it and got it with 39 seconds left in the first half when Shannon Crawford used a header off a perfect pass by Jessica Tarangioli to put the Broncos on the board first.

The goal was setup after defender Amy Pepe had jumped into the action and drew a penalty for the Broncos.

The entire first half had been controlled by Bronxville, yet despite some scoring opportunities, they couldn’t find a way to finish until the header came by Crawford.

The defense was superb and didn’t allow a shot-on-goal in the first half.

Oneonta would get its first shot-on-goal a little over nine minutes into the second half, but Devlin was more than ready for it and stopped the shot with ease. She needed to make only four saves in the second half to earn her 17th shutout of the season.

With the victory, Bronxville advances to the state final four and will play either Schalmont (Section 2) or Beekmantown (Section 7) on Saturday in the state semifinals at White Field, SUNY Cortland at 5 p.m.

Shannon Crawford:

Grace Devlin:

On going back to state final four: It feels great. It’s definitely where we want to be right now, so we are really excited to go back to Cortland again and give them our last best games.

On defense strength: We definitely got really defensive in the last half, especially in the last 20 minutes. We were mainly looking to just keep the shutout so we could hold on to the win, and we weren’t pressuring too much on their defense. It was definitely a struggle because their offense really put pressure on in the end just to try to poke in a goal, but we held them.

On Oneonta’s second half performance: I think they were just really hungry in the second half. And obviously if your facing the end of your season, you’re going to go at it with all you can, so they were just coming harder than we were, but we were holding together on defense.

Looking forward to most in the final four: Just for another good game ahead of us and hopefully we can repeat the state title.

Somers showed its strength as a team in Saturday’s Class A regional championship win at Yorktown High School. Facing a very physical team in Cornwall of Section 9, the Tuskers battled until the very end and had its players step up when needed most in a dramatic 2-1 triple-overtime victory.

The game began with a surge of offense from Somers. Just seven minutes into the game, the Tuskers scored the first goal of the game when Bridget Reilly used a header off a corner kick from Melissa Rodriguez to give Somers a 1-0 lead.

But then things began to take a turn for the worse…

First it was Melissa Menta who went down with what appeared to be a knee injury when she collided with a Cornwall defender with 24:11 left in the first half. She got up and tried to walk it off, but was taken off the field and attended to. Unfortunately, she would stay on the sidelines for the remainder of the game with the injury.

Four minutes later, Cornwall tied the game.

As both teams continued to battle one another, M-Rod went down at the end of the first half with a left ankle injury. She needed to be helped off the field and it was looking very bleak for Somers, as it was without two of its top scorers on the team.

But showing heart and a competitive nature that couldn’t be rivaled, she had her ankle taped and jumped back into the action at the start of the second half.

Bridget Reilly was the next player to go down though. Midway through the second half, Reilly was taken out of the game after she suffered an injury to her right leg. She would try to return to action, but remained on the sidelines and could only watch helplessly from the bench as the action began to pickup.

Regulation came and went, still tied at 1-1.

In the first overtime period, Somers came out strong right away, but was unable to squeak a goal by the Cornwall keeper. The Dragons then picked up its play in the second overtime period, yet both defenses held true.

As the game entered sudden death, neither team wanted to make that fatal mistake, which would end the season. They had played carefully, but action would come to a halt with a little over two minutes remaining in the first sudden death period, when M-Rod collided with a Cornwall defender and had gotten kicked in the head.

She had to be taken out of the game and all of a sudden, Somers was without three of its top scorers in a time when they were needed the most.

But being a team that has battled adversity all season long, the Tuskers’ players stepped up for one another and it was Melanie Anes who played the role of hero.

Anes received a perfect pass from Julia Djokic to score the game-winning goal that ended the game with 16 seconds remaining in the overtime period.

The Tuskers survived an onslaught of injuries and showed why they are such a tough team to beat. They advance to the Final Four and will play in the state semifinals matchup next Saturday at Suny Cortland.

Quotes after the game: