News and Announcements
Praino Decides on Alfred!!
Matt Praino has become the latest Elmira Free Academy Blue Devil to attend Alfred University and play soccer.
Praino, Francesco Mannino, Cory Hill, and Mike Chrabaszcz will all play soccer for the Saxons next season and look to make an immediate impact for Alfred University. Matt tallied three goals and four assists in his lone varsity season at EFA after transferring from Horseheads High School.
Praino played a fantastic central midfield for the Blue Devils and make a significant mark on their STAC Championship season in 2008. Although Matt played through difficult injuries through the season, Praino played in, and started, in all 19 matches for EFA and played well on both ends of the field.
After a fantastic senior season at Elmira Free Academy, Matt was named to the STAC All-Division team for 2008.
Congratulations Matt!! Good luck at the next level!! The Blue Devil Soccer Program supports you!!
EFA Alum To Play in Professional Match!!
Elmira Free Academy graduate Tyler Sampsell will play in a friendly match against the Rochester Raging Rhinos at Corning Municipal Stadium on April 9th, 2009 as a member of the Division I St. Bonaventure Bonnies.
Sampsell (pictured right) was a two-year varsity starter and named a senior captain in 2006 for the Blue Devils as he helped guide EFA to thier first Sectional Title in 17 years. That season, Tyler anchored the central defensive midfield position and managed to tally three goals to go along with his three assists. EFA finished the season ranked #9 in New York State for Class "A".
Congratulations on your achievements Tyler!! The Elmira Free Academy soccer program is proud to call you one of thier own!!
EFA Program to Host Soccer Camp in August 2009!!
The Elmira Free Academy Blue Devils boys varsity soccer program will be holding it's first annual soccer camp this summer. Please click on the link below the picture for additional information and a CAMP BROCHURE including cost and registration!!
Mannino Chooses Alfred University!!
EFA senior captain Francesco Mannino has chosen to become a Saxon at Alfred University and further both his educational and soccer careers.
Mannino leaves the EFA Varsity program after two consecutive seasons as the program's starting forward. Mannino scored an incredible 28 goals in 37 varsity matches and leaves as the single-season record holder (since the STAC merger in 1999) for goals with fifteen. Frankie scored an incredible 45% of EFA's 38 goals during his senior season while notching two assists.
Mannino's accomplishments include:
-2006 New York State, Class "A", Section IV Champion
-STAC West Champion (2007, 2008)
-2007 High School Hall of Fame Cup Champion
-2007 All-STAC West Division Team Honors
-2008 Overall STAC Champion
-2008 All-STAC Conference Team Honors
Congrats on a fantastic career at EFA Frankie!! Good luck at the next level!!
McGinnis headed to SUNY Fredonia!!
Elmira Free Academy centerback Michael McGinnis has chosen Fredonia State University as his college of choice after a great career as a Blue Devil.
McGinnis finishes his varsity career at EFA with three complete seasons under his belt. As a sophomore, Mike played outside midfield notching 2 goals and 2 assists during the 2006 season. That team won the New York State, Section IV, Class "A" Championship and finished the year ranked #10 in New York State.
As a Junior, Mike was moved to center back and played an important part of a Devils' defense that conceeded only 25 goals over a 19 game span, which included 8 shutouts. The Devils finished #19 in the New York State polls that season peaking has high as #4 in the state. EFA won the first outright STAC West Title in school history and Mike was named to the STAC All-Conference team making himself the first EFA junior to be named to the All-Conference team.
Mike's senior season may have been his most impressive as he was named the All-New York State, Class "A", 2nd Team. His was a senior leader on a team that managed to win back-to-back STAC West titles and the first overall STAC Championship in EFA history as he chipped in with a goal and 4 assists. He, again, was named to the STAC All-Conference team to stake his claim as one of the best defenders every to come through EFA. His back-to-back selections make him the first Devil to achieve such an honor and thus was named to the 2008 All-State team.
Congratulations Michael!! Great career at Elmira Free Academy and good luck at the next level!!