By JOHN CORYER
PLATTSBURGH — The Chazy and Seton Catholic girls' soccer teams, after heartbreaking losses in the NYSPHSAA Final Four semifinals a year ago, are looking for better results this fall.
In Class D, the Chazy girls oppose Section XI's Smithtown Christian at 9:30 a.m. today in the semifinals at SUNY Cortland.
The Eagles suffered a 2-1 overtime loss to Section IV's Edmeston last year.
Meanwhile, in Class C, the Seton Catholic girls take on Section XI's Stony Brook at 9 a.m. today at Tompkins-Cortland Community College in the semifinals.
Seton Catholic dropped a 1-0 decision to Section IV's Marathon, despite a huge edge in shots on goal, a season ago.
Class C
Seton Catholic
vs. Stony Brook
9 a.m.
The Section VII-champion Knights (15-4) advanced to the Final Four this season with regional wins over Section X's Brushton-Moira (2-0) and Section II's Cambridge (1-0).
"Definitely, the experience the girls got last year will help," said Seton Catholic coach Jason Fenner. "We won't be in awe of anything. We have a mixture of experience and youth on the team — and they're playing so well as a team.
"The older players know this could be it for them and they will be more focused."
Stony Brook, meanwhile, has a couple of 3-0 wins thus far in state play over Section VIII's Friends Academy and Section IX's S.S. Seward.
"They're obviously a strong team and have two impressive wins so far in the state playoffs," Fenner said.
"But, we're real excited and confident. Our defense is still the bread and butter on the team. Earlier in the season, we gave up some goals on breakdowns. But, we have come together defensively of late, with two shutouts in our last two state games."
The Knights have never been at full strength this season. Kate Murnane was lost to an injury prior to the season and defender Mary Brigid Cannon was lost to an injury during the season.
On top of that, leading scorer Lindsey Bushey and left back Abigail Lawrence have prior committments and will not be available to play this weekend.
"I still think the goals will come — we're still pretty potent on offense," Fenner said.
Seton Catholic has outscored its opponents, 62-17, this season.
The other Class C Final Four semifinal today has Section III's Sauquoit Valley against Section VI's Frewsburg at 9 a.m. at Homer High School.
The championship game is set for Saturday at 9 a.m. at SUNY Cortland.
Class D
Chazy vs.
Smithtown Christian
9:30 a.m.
Chazy (20-0) had an opening-round bye in the first round of the states this season before recording a 5-2 victory over Section X's Chateaugay in the second round.
The two goals scored by Chateaugay equaled the number of goals the Eagles had allowed this season prior to the game. Chazy has outscored its opponents, 104-4.
"We're a well-rounded team and we don't focus on just one player," said Chazy coach Karin Sherman-Trombley. "We're a passing and possession team and the key is to play to our ability.
"This team has a different chemistry from last year and they know what the tournament is about. One of our goals this year was to get back to the tournament."
Sherman-Trombley feels the Eagles will be determined following the tough loss a year ago.
"I think the girls will be hungry," she said. "Last year, I felt we outplayed our opponent. But, we lost it mentally going into overtime.
"We just have to play to our potential. We're excited, but you can't take anything for granted. We have players like Victoria Reynolds, who has been on the varsity for five years and been to the Final Four that many times."
Smithtown Christian has been dominating thus far with a 5-0 decision over Section IX's Livingston Manor and then a 6-0 victory over Section II's Northville.
The other Class D state semifinal, also at SUNY Cortland, has Section III's McGraw against Section V's Arkport at 9:30 a.m.
The state championship contest will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Homer High School.
Class C
Seton Catholic Knights
Coach: Jason Fenner
Overall record: 15-4-0
Goals for: 62 goals against: 17
Playergapts
Lindsey Bushey, 8th, f241159
Alexis Bushey, jr, f71630
Rhea Breyette, jr, f11527
Kaile Bushey, sr, mid7418
Lyndale Nephew, so, m419
Stephanie Egan, jr, mid215
Samantha Mulcahy, sr, m215
Rachel Daly, sr, f204
Kelsey Doorey, jr, f113
Mary Brigid Cannon, sr,d102
Alexa Cosgro, sr, def102
Abigail Lawrence, sr, df011
Eliza Zalis, sr, def011
Megan Tedford, jr, def011
Kerry Cannon, jr, def000
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Shannon Olsen, so1979917
Class D
Chazy Eagles
Coach: Karin Trombley
Overall record: 20-0
Goals for: 104 goals against: 4
Playergapts
Victoria Reynolds, sr,f351080
Astrid Kempainen, jr,mid171953
Caitlyn LaPier, soph, f151141
Kirsten Doran, soph, f6416
Megan Reynolds,fr, def5414
Sondra Olds, sr, mid3814
Chelsea Guay, jr, f4614
Devan Latremore, sr, def4311
Sinead Cooper, sr,f4210
Emily LaPierre, jr, f5212
Alexis Bushey, jr, def317
Sagan Trombley, sr, def226
Amanda Kempainen, sph066
Emily Keable, jr, d135
Amanda Polomsky, fr, f011
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Katharine Tooke, so2017404
