GI boys, Will East girls win in Class A soccer
Penalty kicks net Flames trip to regionals
Eric Breier scored off a rebound with 10:15 left in the game to give Grand Island a 2-1 win over Williamsville South to win the Section VI Class A boys soccer title game at Dimp Wagner Field at Amherst.
The win gives the Vikings their first Section VI title since 2003 when they were a Class B school.
"I thought the shot was going to go, but I was there for the rebound just in case," said Breier. "It came to me and I just put it in. We had 30 minutes to go. We knew we still had plenty of time to score goals. We just need one more. Luckily, I was there to finish it to get the game winner."
The Vikings (16-1-3) advance to next Saturday's Far West Regionals at Spencerport against the winner off Pittsford-Mendon and Aquinas. Pitt-Mendon is the No. 1 Class A team in New York State.
All the game's scoring came in the second half. Williamsville South scored first on a penalty kick by Zack Schwartz. Grand Island answered on a header by senior Bobby Ross, his 17th goal.
South, this year's ECIC II champ with a 12-0 record, ends the season 17-2-1. The Billies were chasing their first title since winning back-to-back in 1998-1999. They came into the game having won their last six following a 1-0 loss to Williamsville North.
Grand Island came into the postseason having won its first Niagara Frontier League title since 1986.
Girls
Katie Griffin, Daniela Galante and Melissa Spada scored on penalty kicks following a scoreless 110 minutes as Williamsville East beat Grand Island in the Section VI Class A title game.
"You have to pick a side and not change your mind halfway through or else you'll miss," said Griffin, who has committed to Canisius. "Usually I have this thing where I go to the right side of the net, but today I was just feeling the left side, so I went with that. You have to play with your heart. And in the end it was all worth it."
Because the game went to penalty kicks, the teams will share the sectional championship. It was East's third Section VI title in four years. During GI's penalty kick attempts, East goalie Jenna Reilley made the save on the first one and then GI hit two cross bars. Reilley entered the contest with 14 shutouts having given up just six goals all season.
The undefeated Flames (20-0) advance to next Saturday's Far West Regional back in Amherst.
The teams played to a scoreless tie after regulation, two 10-minute overtimes and two five-minute sudden victory periods. Given the history of when these teams meet, few were surprised the game extended as long as it did. Last time these team met in the Class A final in 2006, East also won in penalty kicks.
"It's not a great way to end a game after 110 minutes," said East coach Chris Durr. "I felt good [going into penalty kicks]. We've won a couple of these in the past. Both teams played great it's disappointing someone had to lose."
Grand Island ends its season 17-2 with a 14-0 record in the Niagara Frontier League.
"I had girls that took shots in the shootout who had been ripping the net. But I given them credit," said GI coach Dave Bowman. "In my opinion they had the better of the play, to see it fall off like that ... that's the part that is disappointing, when you take a team game and you turn it into an individual sport."
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments