Announcement
October 11, 2007
By Andrew Zivic
sports@stargazette.com
Star-Gazette
In a meeting of highly ranked boys soccer teams Wednesday afternoon, Vestal defeated Elmira Free Academy 3-2 on EFA's home field.
Vestal, ranked eighth in the state in Class AA, scored all three of its goals in the final 25 minutes of the first half to build what proved to be an insurmountable lead. The Golden Bears kept EFA, ranked fifth in the state in Class A, on its heels for most of the middle part of the game.
Academy jumped out to the lead less than two minutes into the game on a goal by forward Alan Barton.
Midfielder Joey Burin and defenseman Michael McGinnis controlled the pace of the game for the Blue Devils during the start of the first half. EFA (11-2-1) seemed to relax, though, just as the Golden Bears went on the attack.
"It's the second time that's happened to us this season," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "We score a goal in the first three minutes and the next thing you know we get more comfortable and more relaxed. In a game like this when momentum and tensions run high, it's something you can't do."
The key player for Vestal (11-2-1) in its big push was Matt Kristek, a forward/midfielder. Kristek continually pushed the ball up the pitch for the Golden Bears and put himself and his teammates in position for good scoring opportunities.
Kristek scored the first two Vestal goals and assisted on the third, which came on a Matt Keegan header.
If it wasn't for stout play by EFA goalie Bobby McGinnis, who had 14 saves, Kristek might have had four or five goals.
"They were really moving the ball well," McGinnis said. "They had a lot of opportunities in both halves. We made a couple of mistakes and it really killed us in the first half -- a couple misclears."
Vestal coach Jim Murphy said the Bears moved a few people around at the end of the first half to change things up. With the lead in the second half, Vestal went back to its usual 4-4-2 alignment.
Despite the win, Murphy's still looking for improvement from his team.
"We have a long ways to go," he said. "I'm ecstatic about the win -- we just defeated a very good team. Did we play our best game? No. Did we make a lot of mistakes? Yes, but that's high school soccer."
This was the second meeting of the season between the teams, with the first ending in a 2-2 tie. If EFA and Vestal get by their Southern Tier Athletic Conference semifinal games, they'll meet for a third time in the conference championship game. EFA has clinched the West title and Vestal has the Metro championship wrapped up.
"I think losing this one really keeps us down to earth," McGinnis said. "We expect to go into the STAC championships fine, maybe play them (Vestal) again in the finals, and then win sectionals and go through states."
EFA Scoring - Burin (1-1), Barton (1-0)
Vestal Scoring - Kristek (2-1), Keegan (1-1)
Shots/Corners - EFA (8-1), Vestal (17-2)
Saves - EFA (McGinnis - 14), Vestal (Wells - 6)
