SV enters STAC final on a roll

By Robert B. Bonaparte • Staff Writer • October 20, 2008 - www.pressconnects.com

Susquehanna Valley's boys soccer team will take a nine-match winning streak into Elmira Free Academy at 3:30 this afternoon for a shot at its first Southern Tier Athletic Conference championship in eight years.

SV, ranked seventh in last week's state Class B rankings, is led by senior Steven Rathbun, who has a team-high 25 goals with six assists this season. Junior Preston Patak has scored nine times with eight assists and eighth-grader Michael Rood leads the team with nine assists.

Ah, and let's not forget Ronnie Graham, whose goal in sudden-death overtime lifted the Sabers (13-3-1) to a 1-0 victory over visiting Vestal in a STAC semifinal on Friday.

Vestal, which had gone undefeated in league play during the regular season, had won five of the last six STAC titles.

When asked what has led to the stellar play after a 4-3-1 start, SV coach Al Mydlinski said, "Against our opponents we have controlled the midfield. We're also getting the ball to our strikers in good scoring opportunities."

Mydlinski also credited the defense, which has given up two goals during the streak.

The defense features goalie Mike Schell and defenders Devin Lash, Josh Pappas, Spencer Hogan and James McKeage.

Mydlinski was in attendance Saturday for Elmira Free Academy's 1-1 tie at Johnson City. The Blue Devils (9-7-1) advanced on penalty kicks, 5-3.

EFA's Charlie Anderson booted in the clinching goal.

"I was impressed," Mydlinski said. "They're a very, very good team. They have some good speed up front. And their goalkeeper (Brian Poppleton) made some excellent saves to keep them in the game."

EFA is playing in its first STAC championship match.