East boys soccer falls in Class A semis

Williamsville East's Matt Kweller outraces a West Seneca East player during the team's 5-1 Class A quarterfinal win on Oct. 31. East lost 2-1 to Iroquois Friday in the semifinals. Photo by John Rusac

Williamsville East, seeded No. 3 in the Section VI Class A boys soccer tournament, saw its season end to seven-seed Iroquois, 2-1, in the semifinals last Friday at Amherst.

The teams played to a scoreless first half. Iroquois pressured East and played strong with the wind in their face. East tried to use the wind to put pressure on Iroquois' defense early.

East hustled and pressured Iroquois in the second half and had two great scoring opportunities but the ball went high and wide, respectively.

Tony Schiappa finally found the net as he took a hard shot into the far corner. With less than 10 minutes remaining and Iroquois pressuring, the Chiefs scored on a ball passed from the outside. With under a minute to play, they scored the game-winner.

"It was a heartbreaking loss," said East coach Ron Schumacher. "The three senior captains of Kyle Habdo, Tony Schiappa and Andy Gage worked hard to get the team ready for a run to the sectional finals."

"Although we graduate only four seniors, the heart and soul of this team leaves," he added. "It was one of the nicest group of young men I've ever coached. I will remember them for many years. It's good to know most of the team will return next year for another run for the title."

East defeated West Seneca East, 5-1, in the quarterfinals on Oct. 31.

Sophomore Simon Park scored his first of two goals from a Schiappa pass.

"Simon settled the ball and found a open corner," said Schumacher.

With eight minutes left in the first half, Matt Kweller took a hard shot and Park put in the rebound.

West Seneca East's Andy Schwert beat two East defenders and the goalie to cut East's lead in half. But a couple of minutes later, Schiappa beat an outside defender and scored on a penalty kick. With less than a minute left, Kweller scored from a Sean Lanighan pass.

Schiappa scored his second of the game from a long shot over the keeper's head for the only goal of the second half.