Announcement
Six Elmira Free Academy Blue Devil Boys Soccer players have been named to Southern Tier Athletic post-season teams for the 2008 Varsity soccer season. Here are the gentlemen and their accomplishments:
STAC All-Conference Team
Francesco Mannino (Senior - Forward) - Frankie was named to the 2007 All-STAC West Division team a year ago and will finish his 2008 season as a member of the STAC All-Conference Team. Francesco scored 15 goals and tallied 2 assists in 18 games for 32 points as a senior captain on EFA. His 15 goals were good enough to set a new EFA single-season STAC record in goals scored passing previous leader Kevyn Rustici's (SUNY Fredonia) 13 goals set in 2007. Mannino also finished with an EFA STAC record of 64 shots on goal also passing Rustici's 55 set in 2007. Frankie finishes his career at EFA with 27 varsity goals, which places him second in EFA's STAC history behind Rustici's 30. Francesco was a captain on the EFA Varsity team and was also named to the 2008 STAC Senior Showcase Team.
Mike McGinnis (Senior - Centerback) - Mike was named to the STAC All-Conference Team for the second consecutive season as a member of the EFA Varsity Soccer team. Mike tallied a goal and 4 assists in his senior campaign for EFA and had a significant hand in 2 shutouts and 12 games in which EFA conceeded only one goal. Mike was involved with 10 shutouts in his EFA career and was accepted as a 2008 New York State, All-State Selection for the 2008 season. Mike played all 19 games for EFA and was also named to the 2008 STAC Senior Showcase Team.
STAC West All-Division Team
Matt Praino (Senior - Central Midfield) - Matt has been named to the 2008 STAC West All-Division Team in his first season with the EFA program. Matt was the catalyst of many of EFA's scoring runs through the midfield as he consistantly moved the ball in attacking positions. Matt finished the season with 3 goals and 4 assists (tied for second on the team in BOTH catergories) while fighting injuries for most of the season. Matt played all 19 games for EFA and was also named to the 2008 STAC Senior Showcase Team.
Paul Bradley (Senior - Left-Back) - Paul made the successful transition from midfield to left-back after an early season injury altered EFA's gameplans. After scoring two goals in his first game at Horseheads from the left-midfield position, Paul was moved to left-back and strengthened the Devils' back four. Paul finished the season with 2 goals and 2 assists in 18 games for EFA and was named to the 2008 STAC Senior Showcase Team.
Ross Holden (Junior - Midfield) - Ross has been named to the 2008 STAC West All-Division Team after his 3rd complete season with the EFA Varsity Program. Holden finished his junior year with a team high 9 assists and managed to score 3 spectacular goals in his 19 games played. He played both central and outside midfield for EFA and produced regardless of where he was put on the field. Ross was named a Junior captian of the EFA Varsity team and still has his Senior season to shine.
Nick Lian (Sophomore - Outside Back) - Nick split time at both outside back and forward this season for EFA. He managed to score 3 goals, including the game-winner in overtime at Binghamton, and notch one assist on the season. Only a sophomore, Nick has played two complete varsity seasons at EFA and will be relied upon heavily for the next two seasons.
-->Congratulations on fantastic seasons/careers at Elmira Free Academy gentlemen!! You've added to the history of the program!!
