Announcement
October 4, 2007
Star-Gazette
The Elmira Free Academy boys soccer team clinched its first Southern Tier Athletic Conference West championship with its 6-0 win over Southside on Tuesday, Academy coach Derek Hamilton said Wednesday.
Hamilton initially believed EFA would have to win another game to clinch, but a look at the standings Wednesday made him realize the Blue Devils had wrapped up the title.
"That was our preseason goal. Before we get to sectionals, we definitely wanted to win the STAC West," Hamilton said. "I'm extremely proud and pretty emotional because this team and I have been together for three straight years, both for Soaring Capital (Soccer Club) and Elmira Free Academy, and they're a special group to me."
EFA has an 11-game unbeaten streak since opening the season with a loss to Horseheads. The Blue Devils (10-1-1, 8-1-1 STAC) are ranked seventh in the state in Class A by the New York State Sportswriters Association.
Academy will be one of four teams in the STAC soccer tournament.
