Elmira District Boys Soccer

Elmira Free Academy's Denzel Harris has been named a 2008 STAC Sportsmanship All-Star for the Fall season.

Harris notched two goals for the Blue Devils during their 2008 STAC Championship season and played the majority of his matches on the defensive end of the pitch.  Denzel's physical style of play did not go unnoticed; however, he was also the first Blue Devil to stand over an opponent and help him up after a solid challenge.  Harris was also notorious for congratulating and hugging respective opponents during post-game congratulatory meetings as he received the same amount of respect he provided.

Congratulations Denzel!!  You've made the EFA soccer family proud!!

Staff report • December 28, 2008

Four area players were named to the New York State Sportswriters Association all-state team in boys soccer.

Elmira Free Academy senior Mike McGinnis, a defender, was named to the Class A second team. McGinnis is the only Southern Tier Athletic Conference West player to be named to the all-state team.

"Mike's a great kid, very hard working," Derek Hamilton, EFA coach said. "His hard work and dedication to the program have paid off for the program and will continue to pay off for him at the next level."

In Class C, Spencer-Van Etten senior midfielder Tyler Bailey was named to the second team, and Spencer-Van Etten senior forward Colton Wigsten was named to the third team. Odessa-Montour senior midfielder Matt Shutter was also named to the Class C third team.

Elmira Free Academy Junior midfielder Ben Linchuck has been named to the STAC All-Academic Team for the 2008 season.

Linchuck tallied an assist for the overall STAC Champion Blue Devils during his first season with the EFA varsity squad while making great strides to improve his game.  He will be looked to for positive minutes during his senior season in 2009.

Linchuck is the third Blue Devil to be named to the STAC All-Academic team in the past three seasons as Shawn Howze and Nick Lian were named in 2006 and 2007 repectively.

Congratulations Ben!!  You've made the soccer program at Elmira Free Academy proud!!

Coaches Name: Tom Kirchoff

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Elmira Free Academy centerback Michael McGinnis has been named a New York State, All-State selection for the 2008 season.  The team he has been placed on had yet to be determined; however, speculation predicts that he will be 3rd team All-State or higher.

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.  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!!