Iroquois shuts out East in Class A final

It's always tough to beat a team three times and Williamsville East's boys soccer team found that out last Saturday at Amherst High School's Dimp Wagner Field.

The Flames (18-2-2), which had beaten Iroquois, 4-0, and 2-0, during the regular season, lost 2-0 in the Section VI Class A final. East was ranked No. 1 in the tournament; Iroquois was second.

"I really had hoped we would advance to the regional game but a freak goal changed all of that," said East coach Ron Schumacher.

East lost 2-1 to Iroquois in the semifinals last year.

Fifty-eight seconds into the second half, Iroquois' Peter Wilson broke a scoreless first half after he crossed the ball at the corner flag and over the head of goalie Brian Wallden. The ball hit the far goal post and bounced into Wallden's hands but it had crossed the plane of the goal line.

Schumacher said his team pressed the rest of the game to give his team more scoring opportunities but Iroquois wisely packed the 18-yard box to prevent a score.

As East pressed late, Wilson scored his second goal of the game.

"The team played and represented Williamsville East well," said Schumacher. "I wanted this outstanding group of soccer players and young men to go to states but it wasn't meant to be."

To appear in the finals, East beat fourth-seed East Aurora, 1-0, in a shootout last Wednesday at East.

On a warm day and a strong cross field wind, the two teams played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer.

"Both teams played well," said Schumacher. "From a spectator's view, it was an exciting game to watch."

In the second half, Wallden made a point blank save in front of the net when Frieder Burgin German exchange student, got free. East also had some opportunities but hard shots just went wide or were saved by East Aurora. The defense of Brian Cianchetti, Jay Winzenreid, Joe Buran and Rashaun Durden was outstanding, said Schumacher.

"Several times, Cianchetti needed to clear the ball or intercept a pass to thwart scoring opportunities," said Schumacher. "He played flawless defense. Winzenreid marked Burgin well, and as the game wore on, neutralized him."

Andy Aderman and Dave Mernan came off the bench to play a solid game, Schumacher said.

After two 40-minute halves and two 15-minute sudden death overtimes, the teams went to a shootout.

East Aurora won the toss and kicked first. Their first shooter scored on Wallden. Derek Frost sent his shot into the corner to tie it at 1-1.

East Aurora's next shooter scored, followed by a goal from East's Mac Noronha. East Aurora's next shooter went high on Wallden, who made the save. Simon Park's shot into the low corner put East up 3-2. The next shooter from East Aurora hit the goal post and bounced wide, allowing Kevin Castine to win the game on his shot. His low shot to the left corner was just tipped by East Aurora's goalie but still found the net for the win.

"There were 22 exhausted players and a large number of Williamsville East fans happy over two hours of intense and exciting soccer," said Schumacher. "As our players walked back to the bench after shaking hands and receiving congratulations from their families, one player commented to me, 'A few more gray hair around the ears, coach'".