Elmira District Boys Soccer

Joe Mink 4:23 p.m. EDT August 27, 2014

The Elmira and Corning boys soccer teams each finished one game short last season from reaching the New York State Public High School Athletic Association playoffs. Both are looking to take an extra step or two forward in 2014.

Elmira posted an 8-8-1 record after losing to Ithaca 5-0 in the Section 4 Class AA championship game.

“I believe we overachieved last season making it to the sectional finals with such a young squad,” Express coach Derek Hamilton said. “That youth turns into veteran leadership this season, as we return seven of our 11 starters, including five players who are entering their third year of varsity soccer.”

Senior forward Kyle Johnson returns after producing six goals and six assists. He was a Southern Tier Athletic Conference Metro/West All-Star a year ago.

Midfield should be in good hands with senior Tyler Prunoske, an All-STAC West pick, joining senior Eli Halperin and junior Andrew Field. The trio combined for 10 goals and three assists.

Defense gets back seniors Jon Fleming and Robby Weiskopf.

Hamilton expects junior newcomers Logan Brimmer (forward), Owen Mason (goalie) and Joe Cerio (defense) to contribute.

“The team has no egos and enjoys working together,” Hamilton said. “Our goal is to continue to improve our play throughout the season, and we will play our best soccer as we enter sectionals in October.”

Corning comes in off a 15-4 performance and the STAC West title in Steve Mastronardi’s second season as Hawks head coach.

Vestal proved to be the thorn in Corning’s side, as the Golden Bears defeated the Hawks 3-2 for the STAC crown on Oct. 17 and 2-0 in the Section 4 Class A championship Nov. 2.

Mastronardi welcomes back major contributors from that 2013 squad, led by STAC Metro/West All-Stars Zach Quist, Luke Terwilliger and Isaac Davis. All are seniors, with Quist and Davis slated for midfield and Terwilliger for defense.

They won’t have to carry the load by themselves, as senior forward Alexander Tostanoski and sophomore defender Cameron Metarko are back along with senior midfielder Franco Summa and senior defenders Brian Austen and Spencer Kohli.

The top newcomers are Erik Eckstrom, Jacob Grano, Connor Nazarcyk and Trevor Kohli.

Despite the talent, Mastronardi isn’t calling his Hawks the STAC West favorites.

“We expect to be competitive within STAC this season. ... STAC is always tough, especially within the STAC West. There are a lot of good coaches and players. We will see who can put it all together,” he said. “Our keys for this year will be our organization on defense and attacking mentality.”

Horseheads: Close games went against the Blue Raiders a year ago.

Horseheads coach Mark Mucci said his team suffered seven one-goal defeats on the way to a 5-8-2 record. Three of those setbacks came against Elmira, including a 1-0 loss in the Section 4 Class AA semifinals.

Three seniors return on defense for the Blue Raiders, led by All-STAC West pick Gerardo Nunez. He’ll be joined by Marc Andrien and Carter Kabott.

“Defense should be our strength,” Mucci said.

Senior midfielder Sean Paul Owen was, like Nunez, a 2013 STAC West All-Star. Senior forward Jose Garcia and junior midfielder Samuel Nunez also have varsity experience.

New to the big team are sophomore midfielders/forwards Isaac Pastel and Nick Juan.

Putting the ball into the opposing net will likely determine how far the Blue Raiders can go

“I hope goals won’t be an issue. We’re looking to generate more offense this year,” Mucci said. “We had chances last year that we didn’t finish.”

So far, Mucci likes what he sees.

“We’ll be strong. We have a good core group. They can move the ball and they understand the game,” he said.