Four years is a long time to go without a Section II boys soccer title at Shenendehowa.
So, the Plainsmen were determined not to go away from Tuesday’s Class AA final at Colonie Central High School empty handed.
Ryan Connors and Ryan Yurchak scored, and goaltender John Mabee came up with a pair of key saves to help Shen defeat Saratoga Springs 2-0 and claim the school’s 11th Sectional title since 1988.
We’ve had a little bit of a hiatus after winning the state title in 2005, and the guys were determined to end it, said Shen coach Mike Campisi.
Shen (17-1-1) had some difficulty establishing itself at the offensive end of the field in the first half against Saratoga (13-6-1). The Blue Streaks routinely challenged every ball, which disrupted the Plainsmen’s passing game.
`I don’t think we played well in the first half,` said Campisi. `We played better in the second half in terms of maintaining possession and passing the ball.`
Shen did get a goal midway through the first half off a corner kick. Saratoga goaltender initially saved one shot, but the ball got to the feet of Connors and David Clemens, who both kicked at it to get it into the net. Connors was credited with the goal.
`Leading up to the goal, I thought Shen did have the better of the play,` said Saratoga coach Jeff Geller. `They deserved to be up 1-0, but I was disappointed about the quality of the goal that we gave up.`
Saratoga had a couple of chances to tie the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Will Johns broke in on a one-on-one with Mabee, but Mabee came off his line and stopped Johns’ shot. Then, Tristan Frey had a shot lined up, but it sailed inches over the crossbar.
`To be honest, I think Saratoga had the better chances [in the first half]. We got lucky on that goal,` said Campisi.
Shen gained total control in the second half. Yurchak scored off a Clemens’ direct kick less than 10 minutes into the half, and the Plainsmen maintained possession through much of the remaining time to seal Saratoga’s fate.
`Saratoga is a fabulous, fabulous team,` said Campisi. `I give Jeff Geller and his players a lot of credit for getting this far.`
`When we went down 2-0, we changed our formation a bit. We went with two [players] up front, and that changed the momentum a bit in our favor,` said Geller. `But Shen did a great job of maintaining their composure.`
Shen advances to Saturday’s Class AA regional final against Section III champion Baldwinsville. The game will be played at a Section II site to be determined.“