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By JOHN CORYER
PLATTSBURGH — A year ago, it was a stunned Chazy boys' soccer team that walked off the field following a 4-3 overtime loss to Section III's Hamilton in the NYSPHSAA Class D championship game.
What made it even more disappointing was that the Eagles held a 3-0 lead with 18 minutes remaining before losing in the opening minute of the first overtime.
A year later, Chazy has the opportunity to avenge that loss.
The Eagles tangle with Hamilton in today's Final Four semifinals at the National Soccer Hall of Fame Field in Oneonta. The game begins at 1 p.m.
"First things, first regarding who we play," said Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe. "We're excited to be there and our plan going in there is to win two games and win a state championship.
"But, it's hard to deny playing Hamilton is a little more of a motivating factor. It was disappointing to lose last year, but they were probably the better team at the end of the day."
The Eagles (18-0-2) have overcome injuries and illness this season and McAuliffe says the team is peaking at the right time.
"We went through a very difficult time with probably the worse injuries and illnesses we've had since I've been coach here," he said. "It's been only in the latter part of the season that we've had everyone back.
"But, that has been a good thing because we're coming together at the right time. We've had players step up and play well. That gave us a lot of confidence and we feel very confident."
The goal every year for Chazy is to win a state championship and the Eagles have a young team in their bid this year.
"We all know that we are capable of accomplishing it," McAuliffe said. "But, we had to wonder a little this year because of how young we are and how much we were asking of the young players.
"They believe we can do it, however, and we've gotten better and better as the season has gone on.
Both teams had byes in the opening round of the states this season.
In second-round play, the Eagles recorded a 5-0 win over Section X's Harrisville, while Hamilton posted a 2-0 decision over Section IV's Margaretville.
But, for Chazy, it was difficult enough just getting out of Section VII this season.
"We come from a section that has two very good teams in Willsboro and Elizabethtown," McAuliffe said. "We have a lot of respect for those teams and we're proud to represent the section."
Chazy will be gunning for its fourth Class D state title.
Section V's Belfast and Section II's Northville tangle in the other Class D Final Four semifinal, also at 1 p.m.
The state championship game will be played Sunday at 1 p.m.
Chazy Eagles
Coach: Rob McAuliffe
Overall record: 18-0-2
Goals for: 72 goals against: 10
Playergapts
Kyle McCarthy, fr, for17842
Brandon Laurin, fr, for17135
Kaleb Snide, jr, mid11931
Tyler Bulriss, sr, mid10929
Shea Howley, sr, def5616
Jordan Barriere, so, mid2711
Andrew Rabideau, jr, f215
Hunter Dominy, so, for237
John Tregan, jr, mid215
Andrew LaPierre, sr, def044
Nathan Reynolds, fr, def215
Andrew Duprey, jr. mid113
Marc Oshier, sr, def102
Nolan Rogers, fr, mid011
Dyllan Hack, jr, mid011
Ian Anderson, sr, for011
Michael Santor, sr, def011
Matt Gravelle, fr, for011
Goalkeepinggpsosvga
Austin Santor, so20138410
