Raptors U-10 win soccer crown

The Amherst Raptors U-10 boys' soccer team defeated Clarence, 5-4, in penalty kicks on Jan. 7 to capture the winter session II championship at the Epic Sports Center. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: first row - Zach Serotte, Nick LaMastra, Henry Frome, Cole Federiconi, Matt Zimmerman, Jack Manzella and Cam Schaefer; second row - Greg Zimmermann, J.P. Rehak, Doug Scaffidi, Chad Steinwachs, Liam Greiner and Dan Rybarczyk.

The Amherst Raptors U-10 boys soccer team defeated Clarence, 5-4, in penalty kicks on Jan. 7 to capture the winter session II championship at the Epic Sports Center.

After completing a 5-1-1 regular season, Amherst advanced to the finals after knocking out top-seeded Northtowns Thunder, 2-1, to face a Clarence team who had handed the Raptors their only loss of the season.

In the finals, which featured great end to end action, neither team was able to score in regulation, with Amherst goalies Greg Zimmermann and Chad Steinwachs combining for the regulation time shutout. The two goalies were supported by an outstanding defense, led by standouts Dan Rybarczyk, Liam Griener, Cameron Schaefer, Matt Zimmerman and Doug Scaffidi.

Offensively, Amherst used great passing, team shape and hustle to set up a number of outstanding goal scoring opportunities and keep the Clarence defense off balance all day. The attack consisted of Amherst standouts Henry Frome, Nick LaMastra, Zach Serotte, Cole Federiconi, J.P. Rehak and Jack Manzella.

After the scoreless regulation, the game would be decided by penalty shots. In the pressure pact shootout, Amherst would get goals by Serotte, Rybarczyk, Schaefer, LaMastra, Manzella, and an outstanding diving save by Steinwachs which closed out Clarence and gave Amherst the win and the championship.

The Raptors completed their first competitive session as champions and look forward to building on that success to carry them through the remainder of the indoor/outdoor seasons.