Two Section V boys soccer teams advance to state tournament final four: Here's how

If there are bragging rights between Section V and Section VI boys soccer, the Buffalo area champions have those.

Section VI teams won four of the six state tournament regional or quarterfinal round games during the weekend at West Seneca West.

Aquinas, the No. 1 ranked Class A team in the state and Byron-Bergen/Elba in Class C will represent Section V at the state final four weekend in Section IX.

Aquinas 2, Williamsville South 0

A goal in each half moved Aquinas into the Class A state semifinals November 10 in Middletown, Orange County as a winner of its last five matches.

Junior midfielder Micaiah Benjamin-Castle angled in a corner kick just inside the near goalpost to give Aquinas a 1-0 lead with 13:13 remaining during the first half.

The win-clincher came with 1:39 remaining in the match.

A free kick was sent to Aquinas sophomore Pascal Pascia, who worked toward the middle of the field before he rolled a pass to Ali Shabani. Shabani beat a defender to the ball and was on a breakaway when he scored with a shot to the left of the goalkeeper.

Aquinas (18-0-2) faces Westhill of Section III or Syracuse region 1 p.m. Friday at Middletown High School. Section VI champion Williamsville South is 16-4-0.

Lancaster 1, Fairport 0

The lone goal came on a corner kick, a header by Noah Okeke with 8:16 remaining in the second half of the Class AAA state tournament regional at West Seneca West.

Fairport players felt there was a violation by the Lancaster Legends. But, the Legends (12-4-3) advanced to the state semifinals November 11 in Middletown, Orange County after they survived the physical quarterfinal against Fairport (10-5-2) that had plenty of fouls.

Clarence 3, Churchville-Chili 0

While the Churchville-Chili Saints have pride in their defensive play, the Red Devils from Section VI scored twice in the first half of the Class AA state tournament regional.

The first goal came after a header knocked the ball toward the turf, but off of a Churchville-Chili teammate. Evan Webster tracked down the ball, turned to his left and kicked in a shot with 33:14 remaining in the first half.

A ball was sent upfield toward two Red Devils. Two Saints were drawn to Clarence junior Patrick Krough, but the ball quickly went over to teammate Carson Holden. Churchville-Chili's goalkeeper came out to meet the shot, but Holden used his left foot to score with 14:34 remaining before the half.

The final goal came from Krough with 1:05 remaining.

Clarence (16-2-0) advanced to the state semifinals November 11 at Middletown High. The Churchville-Chili Saints finished the season with a record of 14-4-2.

East Aurora 7, Hornell 1

The East Aurora Blue Devils go on to the Class B state semifinals undefeated with a 20-0-1 record.

Amar Culov scored three times, twice in the first 20 minutes. Gavin Salerno, Sam Evans and Sam Ervin and Bronson Besant also inflated the final score of the regional match at West Seneca West.

Hornell trailed 3-1 after a header by Jack Emo during a corner kick with 29:20 remaining.

East Aurora faces Chenango Forks from Section IV or Binghamton area in the state semifinals November 11 at Goshen High.

Byron-Bergen/Elba 2, Wilson 1

The Section V Class C champion advanced into the state tournament final four Friday night after it scored to break a tie and shutout Wilson in the final 40 minutes.

Colin Rae scored the game-winner for the Byron-Bergen/Elba Bees (14-2-1) with 16:55 remaining at West Seneca West. Rae worked around three defenders and made a 15-yard shot.

A foul committed by Wilson in the Byron-Bergen/Elba offensive half of the field gave the Bees a free kick. The ball was placed in front of the Wilson goalkeeper, where it bounced forward to where Jack Farner used a header to score with 29:29 remaining in the opening half.

Wilson evened the score 4:57 minutes later. A turnover gave the Lakemen possession, then a pass slotted to David Gurski in front of the net.

The Bees take on Section IV champion Seton Catholic, a private school in Binghamton, in the 11 a.m. semifinal on Saturday at Goshen High. Wilson is (15-3-2).

Ellicottville 3, Fillmore 0

One goal scored by the Section VI champion in the first half of the Class D regional match and two more in the second half pushed undefeated Fillmore out of the state tournament Friday night.

"We have nothing to be ashamed of," Fillmore coach Jarrett Vosburg said. "Not many teams go 20-1."

Owen Doherty was the first Eagle to score at West Seneca West. The junior forward sent in a penalty kick 29 minutes, 14 seconds into the game. He has scored more than 30 goals this season.

Ellicottville sophomore midfielder/forward Sam Edwards has climbed above 25 goals scored this season, including one at 55:20 of the Class D state quarterfinal against Fillmore.

Doherty struck again at 61:21 on another penalty kick.

The Fillmore Eagles were the reigning state champions, and won 43 games and two Section V titles during the last two seasons. Fillmore coach Jarrett Vosburg called the team's accomplishment during this span "nothing short of spectacular."

"Obviously, any time your season ends it's a tough night, but I can't say enough about the season this team has had," Vosburgh said. "I am most proud of our eight seniors who have put their heart and soul into this soccer program for six years.

"Their leadership and commitment are unmatched, and it shows in their accomplishments for the better part of five seasons."

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Two Section V boys soccer teams advance to NY state tournament final