Elmira District Boys Soccer

By Al Losey • alosey@gannett.com • October 17, 2008

The Elmira Free Academy boys and Corning girls will represent Southern Tier Athletic Conference West schools Saturday in STAC semifinal soccer games.

EFA travels to state-ranked Johnson City for a 1 p.m. start. Corning hosts Maine-Endwell at 2 p.m. at Corning Memorial Stadium.

"We'll need to just play our game, which is to concentrate on defense," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "We know we have to stop Dani Brkovic. He scored on us three times in a game last year. But we've been playing fantastic defense this year. Only three times have we given up more than one goal in a game. And another plus for us is that JC has a grass surface and that's what we play on at home. So, I think that limits the home field advantage."

The Wildcats (14-1-1) are ranked No. 3 in Class A in the latest New York State Sportswriters Association rankings.

The Blue Devils (8-7-1) have gotten most of the scoring from Frankie Mannino (10 goals), but sophomore Nick Lian has added some punch, including a bicycle kick goal against Southside and a game-winner in overtime against Binghamton. All-leaguer Mike McGinnis leads the defense. Four of EFA's losses were 1-0.

In the girls game, the Hawks (7-4-2) will have their work cut out for them against the state's No. 7 team in Class A. Maine-Endwell (15-1-1) lost only to Owego, which is also state-ranked.

"The fun thing about this time of year is that we'll see some different teams," Corning coach Julie Dieg said. "We don't know that much about M-E, but we're doing some things in practice to get ready and the girls are playing hard. Getting them to practice hard is unusual for this time of year, so I'd say we're looking forward to the game."

The Spartans get high-scoring offense from Jamie Holliday and Kaitlyn Cook.

Corning has spread the offense around, but senior Kristyn O'Rourke, who usually prefers to pass the ball, scored five goals in the team's regular-season finale. The Hawks are a mix of experienced and young players, but Dieg said the young players have matured a lot during the season.

"I really don't think most people expected us to be here," she said. "But our young players have gotten better every game. So, that's a tribute to the hard work they all have done."

Both championship games are scheduled for Monday.

Star-Gazette • October 10, 2008

* EFA 2, Corning 1: Mike McGinnis and Frankie Mannino each had a goal, and goalie Brian Poppleton had four saves to lead league champ Elmira Free Academy over Corning in the teams' final Southern Tier Athletic Conference West game.

The Blue Devils play either Maine-Endwell or Johnson City next Saturday at a site and time to be determined in a STAC semifinal game.

EFA Scoring - McGinnis (1-1), Mannino (1-0)

Corning Scoring - Pavlick (1-0)

Shots/Corners - EFA (10-5), Corning (5-2)

Saves - EFA (Poppleton - 4), Corning (Allen - 9)

Star-Gazette • October 8, 2008

Despite a 4-0 loss to Vestal in which Brian Mangouri scored two Golden Bears goals, the Elmira Free Academy boys soccer team clinched the Southern Tier Athletic Conference West title Tuesday.

EFA (7-7-1), which played an afternoon game, wrapped up the title Tuesday night when Horseheads lost to Union-Endicott.

"This is back-to-back (STAC West titles) for us, which is always a good feeling," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "We're the small school on our schedule. I think it says a lot about the players and their commitment to the program."

Vestal improved to 13-2 overall and 13-0 in the conference.

EFA will play AWAY at either Johnson City or Maine-Endwell (winner of division) on Saturday October 18th, 2008 at 11:00 AM.

Vestal Scoring - Keegan (1-0), Mangouri (2-0), Hoover (1-0)

Shots/Corners - EFA (6-0), Vestal (15-2)

Saves - EFA (Poppleton - 10), Vestal (Economou - 6)

Star-Gazette • October 3, 2008

* Elmira Free Academy 3, Union-Endicott 1: Elmira Free Academy retained a small lead in the STAC West with a win over Union-Endicott.

Denzel Harris scored twice and added an assist, and Ross Holden scored for the Blue Devils (7-6-1). Brian Poppleton had five saves.

EFA Scoring - Harris (2-1), Holden (1-0), Hornbuckle (0-1), Mannino (0-1)

U-E Scoring - Nichols (1-0)

Shots/Saves - EFA (10-2), U-E (6-2)

Saves - EFA (Poppleton - 6), U-E (Battaglini - 6)

Star-Gazette • October 1, 2008

Francesco Mannino produced his second hat trick this season to lead Elmira Free Academy over Southside 3-1 Tuesday in Southern Tier Athletic Conference West boys soccer.

Mannino's three goals now give him 12 for the season. Paul Bradley, Ross Holden and Tommy Hornbuckle each had an assist for EFA (6-6-1), and Brian Poppleton made four saves.

Mike Weaver had the goal for Southside (1-9), and Roger Staples had 10 saves.

EFA Scoring - Mannino (3-0), Holden (0-1), Bradley (0-1), Hornbuckle (0-1)

Southside Scoring - Weaver (1-0)

Shots/Corners - EFA (13-10), Southside (5-2)

Saves - EFA (Poppleton - 4), Southside (Staples - 10)