MIDDLETOWN — The Chazy boys' soccer team's bid for a sixth NYSPHSAA Class D championship ended on a disappointing and frustrating note Sunday.

But, it wasn't from a lack of effort.

Devin Askew's goal with 5:31 left in regulation lifted Hamilton to a 1-0 win over the Eagles in the state finals at Middletown High School.

The Section III-champion Emerald Knights (20-3) avenged last year's 1-0 loss to Chazy in the state finals. Askew's goal was the first scored by an opponent in the postseason against the Eagles, who were seeking their third state championship in a row.

"We played well and had our chances," Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said. "I thought in great portions of the game we were clearly the better team.

"But, Hamilton has a great program. They're well coached and they have great players. We've now split four games with them the last four years at the Final Four. I knew going in we would either win or lose by one goal."

Chazy held a decisive edge in territorial play over Hamilton and finished with a 12-6 advantage in shots.

But, the Eagles were unable to finish.

Hamilton had its first good opportunity to take the lead with 7:30 left in regulation when Chazy keeper Austin Santor made a great point-blank save on Emerald Knight standout Drew Thompson, who was held in check for much of the game.

But, at the 34:29 mark, Askew got the ball from straight on 25 yards out and sent a low shot just inside the post and into the net.

The Eagles had one last chance to score in the game's final minute. Hayden Guay sent a low shot on goal from an angle that Hamilton keeper John Kerber made the save on and was able to gather in the rebound.

"Defensively, we played well," McAuliffe said. "We limited them to two good scoring chances and they scored on one of them.

"I felt that if we would have taken a 1-0 lead, we would have held on."

"We gave it everything we had," Chazy senior midfielder Jordan Barriere said. "They finished on their chance and we didn't. But, I thought everyone on our team did the best they could.

"I thought we were going to be able to finish at some point in the game and felt confident we would do so."

The Section VII-champion Eagles held the edge in play in the first half and had the only two good scoring chances.

Kerber made a nice save on a Brandon Laurin header with 18 minutes left and midfielder Robbie Keever, with Kerber not in the play, kept a Chazy shot from going into the net with 2:30 remaining in the half.

Chazy then had a good scoring opportunity with 18 minutes gone in the second half when Josh Barriere sent in a long shot that grazed the crossbar.

"At this level, you have to finish on the opportunities you get," McAuliffe said. "They finished on one of the few chances they had and it cost us."

Kerber finished with six saves in the Hamilton nets and Santor stopped five shots for Chazy.

Jordan Barriere, who was seeking his fourth state title in five years on the varsity, played extremely well in the loss.

"I wanted to end my career with another state championship," he said. "But, I'm pretty satisfied with what we have accomplished. I'm proud of the team."

"Jordan Barriere has been the backbone of our team the last couple of years," McAuliffe said. "And, this weekend was no different. He left it all out on the field.

"But, I felt we played well as a team. We just couldn't finish."

—

Hamilton 1, Chazy 0

Hamilton           0 1 — 1

Chazy      0 0 — 0

First half- no scoring.

Second half- 1, H, Askew, 34:29.

Shots: Chazy 12, Hamilton 6.

Saves: Santor, C, 5. Kerber, H, 6.