The Citizen
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Elmira-Notre Dame's Robert Thomaris celebrates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against Southern Cayuga in a Section IV, Class C quarterfinal game, Friday evening in Poplar Ridge. The Chiefs lost 2-1.
Elmira-Notre Dame's Robert Thomaris celebrates after scoring the winning goal in overtime against Southern Cayuga in a Section IV, Class C quarterfinal game, Friday evening in Poplar Ridge. The Chiefs lost 2-1.
POPLAR RIDGE - Elmira-Notre Dame has overtime experience - just not good overtime experience.
The Crusaders have played three overtime games this season and are 0-2-1 in those games.
But those troubles looked like a distant memory when Elmira-Notre Dame's Robert Thomaris delivered a header into the back of the net early in the first overtime against Southern Cayuga, ending the Chiefs season with a 2-1 loss in the Section IV, Class C boys soccer quarterfinals on Friday.
“It seems that all year we had trouble in overtime,” Crusaders coach Brian Adams said. “The Chiefs got a break to capitalize and I told our kids keep the same work ethic up. It's something we had been practicing this year - is finishing games. We have a ton of senior leadership and they all fought hard tonight. They really controlled the game. I've been waiting for one break all year and it came today.”
Thomaris' game-winner came on a corner kick by Mark Hudak.
“We defended well,” Chiefs coach Terry Underwood said. “Thomaris is normally a defender, but he got his separation of the ball and he did a great job of heading and redirecting the shot. It was a nice goal on their part.”
After a scoreless first half, Elmira-Notre Dame's Matt Sharkey put his team on the board. The Crusaders' Topher Strayer delivered a shot off the crossbar and the ball deflected directly to Sharkey for the easy goal.
“Honestly, the goal they scored was kind of a fluke,” Underwood said. “With the wind and the direction it was blowing it kept the ball from going over the net. After it hit the crossbar Sharkey did a great job of sticking with it and was rewarded for it. He's a great player.”
The Chiefs' Bill Rejman tied the game 1-1 with less than 14 minutes left in regulation. He was assisted by Matt Bergenstock.
Prior to his goal, Rejman tried unsuccessfully to open the scoring for Southern Cayuga, but a few key saves by the Crusaders' Alex Todd stopped him. Todd finished with 12 saves, while the Chiefs' Kevin Stockton had eight.
“I don't think that it was a matter of waking up,” Underwood said. “The Crusaders have a nice share of a seniors and a few more athletes and skilled players then us. I just know Bill is a battler and he gives 100 percent every time.”
One noticeable difference was on corner kicks. The Chiefs had only one, while the Crusaders had nine including one to set up the winning goal.
“That meant they put more pressure on us,” Underwood said. “The game-deciding play also came from there.”
Southern Cayuga finishes its season 15-4.
“I'm very proud of these guys,” Underwood said. “The guys played to their ability.”
Crusaders 2
Chiefs 1
The Crusaders have played three overtime games this season and are 0-2-1 in those games.
But those troubles looked like a distant memory when Elmira-Notre Dame's Robert Thomaris delivered a header into the back of the net early in the first overtime against Southern Cayuga, ending the Chiefs season with a 2-1 loss in the Section IV, Class C boys soccer quarterfinals on Friday.
“It seems that all year we had trouble in overtime,” Crusaders coach Brian Adams said. “The Chiefs got a break to capitalize and I told our kids keep the same work ethic up. It's something we had been practicing this year - is finishing games. We have a ton of senior leadership and they all fought hard tonight. They really controlled the game. I've been waiting for one break all year and it came today.”
Thomaris' game-winner came on a corner kick by Mark Hudak.
“We defended well,” Chiefs coach Terry Underwood said. “Thomaris is normally a defender, but he got his separation of the ball and he did a great job of heading and redirecting the shot. It was a nice goal on their part.”
After a scoreless first half, Elmira-Notre Dame's Matt Sharkey put his team on the board. The Crusaders' Topher Strayer delivered a shot off the crossbar and the ball deflected directly to Sharkey for the easy goal.
“Honestly, the goal they scored was kind of a fluke,” Underwood said. “With the wind and the direction it was blowing it kept the ball from going over the net. After it hit the crossbar Sharkey did a great job of sticking with it and was rewarded for it. He's a great player.”
The Chiefs' Bill Rejman tied the game 1-1 with less than 14 minutes left in regulation. He was assisted by Matt Bergenstock.
Prior to his goal, Rejman tried unsuccessfully to open the scoring for Southern Cayuga, but a few key saves by the Crusaders' Alex Todd stopped him. Todd finished with 12 saves, while the Chiefs' Kevin Stockton had eight.
“I don't think that it was a matter of waking up,” Underwood said. “The Crusaders have a nice share of a seniors and a few more athletes and skilled players then us. I just know Bill is a battler and he gives 100 percent every time.”
One noticeable difference was on corner kicks. The Chiefs had only one, while the Crusaders had nine including one to set up the winning goal.
“That meant they put more pressure on us,” Underwood said. “The game-deciding play also came from there.”
Southern Cayuga finishes its season 15-4.
“I'm very proud of these guys,” Underwood said. “The guys played to their ability.”
Crusaders 2
Chiefs 1
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