CENTRAL NEW YORK – While it has taken time getting used to seeing the Solvay boys soccer team as a contender, the Bearcats continue to, game by game, prove that it isn’t a fluke.
In fact, the most recent state Class B rankings had the Bearcats at no. 15, something it hoped to build on as it would get a chance on Thursday to face reigning state Class B champion Skaneateles in the rematch of a game the Bearcats lost in a 2-1 thriller back in September.
Again, it was close – and again, the Lakers came out on top, this time heavily leaning on its defense to pull out a 1-0 decision.
Neither team converted in the first half, adding to the game’s tension. Whatever it tried, Solvay found it tough to get past Luke Bobbeett, Zach Cerimeli, David Petercsak and Owen Chabot on the Skaneateles back line.
Then the Lakers pressure paid off just past the midway point of the second half as Heschel Eidel put one past Bearcats goalie Redd Long, who stopped the other 11 shots he faced.
Skaneateles came into this game in a good frame of mind because, two nights earlier, it had gone to Marcellus and, completing a regular-season sweep, defeated the Mustangs 3-1.
Having won 2-0 when they played at Hyatt Stadium 11 days earlier, the Lakers moved out in front early and then, building upon its 1-0 halftime lead, doubled that margin in the last 40 minutes.
David Petercsak led Skaneateles, scoring twice, the other goal going to Max Cerimeli. Sean Kerwick got a pair of assists and Andrew Falkenburg also had an assist.
Already 8-2 going into last Monday’s game against Homer, Solvay clinched a winning regular-season mark by running all over the Trojans and prevailing 6-0.
Ole Matyiuk, always a steady presence in the Bearcats’ attack, featured here with a three-goal hat trick and added an assist, with Josh Chipman getting a goal and two assists. Goals were also earned by Shahan Kassim and Arkadii Ososkalo, while the Bearcats’ defense held Homer to four shots, all stopped by Long.
A day later, Solvay handled Bishop Grimes 3-0 and Long joined in the fun with his first goal of the season, joining Matyiuk and Josh Chipman in the scoring column as Matiyuk and Sam Chipman had one assist apiece and the defense held the Cobras to just three total shots.
At week’s end, the Bearcats went to Cazenovia and, playing on the Lakers’ brand-new artificial turf field that opened just a week earlier, pulled out a 1-0 decision over those other Lakers.
Just as in the Skaneateles game, neither team scored in the first half and the decisive marker came after intermission. It was Sam Chipman who scored it, taking a pass from Matyiuk and putting it past Cazenovia goalie Jack Casey as Long, earning the shutout, recorded six saves.
As Solvay and Skaneateles battled on Thursday, Marcellus blanked Phoenix 2-0, Austin Raicht leading the way as he scored once and assisted on Mathias Ferrara’s goal, with Aaron Weber also earning an assist.
The Mustangs followed up Saturday with a 4-1 win over Corcoran/ITC, This time, Raicht polished off three goals for the hat trick, with Ferrara earning the other goal and Aaron Weber getting two assists. Bob Moses also picked up an assist.
Bishop Ludden found itself in a tense thriller last Tuesday against Manlius Pebble Hill, attempting to sweep the regular-season series from the Trojans after a 3-2 win back in September.
Here, though, MPH prevailed 2-1, overcoming the Gaelic Knights’ 1-0 halftime advantage thanks to goals by Nick Lurvey and Brody Cook along with nine saves from goalie Liam Allen.
Rebounding on Thursday night, Ludden edged Faith Heritage 1-0, with Colden Sheen’s first-half goal the difference-maker as Jack Ruddy assisted on it. Trey Dennis stopped all seven shots he faced.
