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Section V boys soccer playoffs: Tournament teams poised to make a run in 2023

James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·8 min read

The Section V boys soccer season has reached the stage where joy and dejection floods in at the same time.

The postseason, where teams play on with a win and are eliminated with a loss, is here.

There are seven tournaments, some of which kick off October 17.

Here are teams to keep an eye on during the elimination games:

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class AAA

Fairport: Won eight of first 12 games with the bulk of that schedule against the rest of Monroe County Division I. The Red Raiders managed to sweep Penfield and stay in reach of not only the division title, but the sectional tournament's No. 1 seed. Speed and ability to possess the ball are strongest attributes.

Fairport's Jackson DuBose, center, tries to split the defense of Spencerport's Jaden DiSessa, left, and Zachary Tortora during a regular season game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Fairport's Jackson DuBose, center, tries to split the defense of Spencerport's Jaden DiSessa, left, and Zachary Tortora during a regular season game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

McQuaid: Rebounded from an 0-1-1 start to become the No. 2 seed in the five-team tournament. Like No. 1 Fairport, the Knights are semifinalists. They'll face No. 3 Rush-Henrietta Oct. 24. The Knights like to attack and strike during transitions. McQuaid was a state semifinalist in 2022.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class AA

Spencerport: The Rangers are among the area's best, no matter the classification, especially with 2022 Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Boys Soccer Team member Kyle Milburn on the field. They are the tournament's No. 1 seed.

Spencerport's Kyle Milburn, left, dribbles away from Fairport's Tyler Burton during a regular season game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.
Spencerport's Kyle Milburn, left, dribbles away from Fairport's Tyler Burton during a regular season game, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023.

Churchville-Chili: Won six of last seven games to put record at 10-3-1 and give the Saints a chance at the tournament's No. 1 seed. They outscored those opponents 14-3, and allowed nine goals through 14 games. "We are a strong defensive team with seven shoutouts and two solid goalkeepers," Saints coach John Mahoney said.

Hilton: The Cadets are described as well-rounded, with 15 seniors on the team. They are the Monroe County Division I champions with victories in 10 of their first 14 games, including a 4-0 start when they outscored opponents 13-1.

Penfield: The Patriots are the No. 4 seed. They earned wins over Hilton and Spencerport during the regular season.

Schroeder’s Nicholas Schillaci is pressured by Hilton’s Maxwell Meagher.
Schroeder’s Nicholas Schillaci is pressured by Hilton’s Maxwell Meagher.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class A

Aquinas: More than one coach in the classification describes this team as the one to beat. The talent level is very high. They defeated McQuaid, Pittsford Sutherland, Pittsford Mendon, Wayne and Livonia this fall.

Wayne: They launched into the season with a 7-0 start, including wins over Pittsford Mendon and Mynderse and won 13 of first 16 games on the way to a share of the Finger Lakes East title. This is the ninth consecutive season the Eagles are division champions.

Honeoye Falls-Lima: The Cougars built an 11-2-1 record at the start of the final week of the regular season, including a 6-0-1 run, and won Monroe County Division IV. That gave the Cougars the No. 3 seed in the tournament.

The Section V boys soccer playoffs: Meet the players expected to excel

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class B

Livonia: They won 13 of first 14 games, clinched the Livingston County Division I title and have a loaded lineup because of a good number of experienced players, including what coach Ray Maxwell calls "a strong back four." This is Maxwell's 34th season as Livonia's coach, his 39th overall. On paper, Mynderse and Hornell are Livonia's strongest challengers.

Mynderse Academy: They beat out Livonia, a champion in 2022, for the tournament's No. 1 seed. The Blue Devils won 14 of their first 15 games, driven by a group of seniors. They are owners of a 10-game winning streak that allowed the Blue Devils to stay with Wayne in the Finger Lakes East title race. Defense is on the team's banner.

Bishop Kearney/Chesterton: The No. 4 seed in this tournament. More than one or two coaches describes the Kings as a threat to win.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class C1

East Rochester: The tournament's No. 1 seed built 13-1-1 record and had an11-game winning streak at one point. The Wayne County league champions are No. 4 in the Class C state rankings and the Bombers move the ball around with confidence.

Byron-Bergen/Elba: The No. 2 seed won 13 of first 16 regular-season games and can boost the team's and league's profile with a good run in the tournament.

Addison: The Knights were 11-2-1 during the final week of the regular season, including an eight-game winning streak that included victories over Campbell-Savona, Bath Haverling and Byron-Bergen/Elba. They slso had an opening to win the Steuben County Division 1 title and outscored opponents 67-12.

Campbell-Savona: The Panthers were 9-3-1 through 14 games, including a four-game winning streak. They launched into the season with a 4-0 start and are strong at keeping possession of the ball.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class C2

Dundee/Bradford: They had a strong season in the Finger Lakes West and won 11 of its first 13 games to earn the tournament's No. 1 seed.

Geneseo: They won Livingston County Division 2 while taking 12 of first 16 games on the way to the No. 2 seed.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites: Class D

Fillmore: The Allegany County Division 1 champions are 16-0, undefeated in their last 38 games. "We have been challenged by some quality opponents and have been able to meet that challenge when faced with adversity of being down or tied with opponents," Eagles coach Jarrett Vosburg said. There are eight seniors who played on last season's state championship team.

Naples: They beat out Fillmore for the tournament's No. 1 seed with its own undefeated regular season.

Section V boys soccer tournament favorites underdogs

Andover/Whitesville/Jasper-Troupsburg: They had an overall record around a .500 winning percentage but won Allegany County Division 2 and Go into the Class D tournament as a No. 9 seed. "We use our speed and our dedication to constantly provide the most competitive team. We never quit and we always prove why we are so tough to play against," according to coach Cody Borden.

Avon: They began to come on near the end of the regular season, won four in a row and lost just once in a span of eight games. Will see what Avon can do in the Class C1 tournament.

Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale: With a Winning percentage about .500, the team will give it a go in Class C with eight seniors and the experience of a six-game winning streak during the regular season.

Greece Olympia: The No. 5 seed in Class A put together a five-game winning streak during the season. The runner-up in Monroe County Division 4 allowed 17 goals after strong play among the backs or defenders and goalie Dylan Mattice.

Harley Allendale Columbia: The Wolves, who are in Class D1, have stacked three wins in a row more than once. Ted Hunt, in his 33rd season as HAC coach, said losses to Naples and Dundee/Bradford can be just as valuable. Their roster has one senior, two juniors, eight sophomores and four freshmen.

Hornell: They put together a four-game winning streak late in the regular season and won 10 of first 13 games. They have a lineup of young players, including Jack Emo, already owner of school records.

Keshequa: They remained in the Livingston County Division III race through up and down results and injuries and are the No. 4 seed in Class C2. "We have quite a few guys with big game experience in sectionals, lots of experience in our backline," Keshequa coach Ron Macomber said.

Marion: They entered the Class D sectionals with a winning percentage around .500 but have one of the best players in the classification and the experience gained from a challenging schedule that included Byron-Bergen/Elba, Williamson, East Rochester and Fillmore.

Pavilion/York: They took a step forward this season to a runner-up finish behind Geneseo in the Livingston County Division II. The team moved out to an 8-2 record in the first half of regular season, including a win over Hornell.

Webster Thomas: The Titans won four straight before they lost key players to injuries. Some of those players are expected to play in Class AA sectionals. Their tenacity has showed up in six overtime games, and has tied last two games. "We have played arguably the most difficult schedule in (the Monroe) County (league)," Titans coach Steve Grose said.

Section V boys soccer tournament: No. 1 seeds

The No. 1 seeds in the seven tournaments, the position is based on results during the regular season:

  • Class AAA: Fairport Red Raiders

  • Class AA: Spencerport Rangers

  • Class A: Aquinas Institute

  • Class B: Mynderse Academy Blue Devils

  • Class C1: East Rochester Bombers

  • Class C2: Dundee/Bradford

  • Class D: Naples Big Green

Section V boys soccer tournament 2022 champions

The teams which won the 2022 Section V tournaments:

  • Class AA: McQuaid Knights

  • Class A: Spencerport Rangers

  • Class B1: Livonia Bulldogs

  • Class B2: Bishop Kearney Kings

  • Class C1: Avon

  • Class C2: Red Creek Rams

  • Class D1: Fillmore Eagles

  • Class D2: Mount Morris Blue Devils

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Section V boys soccer playoffs: Tournament favorites for 2023