by Ben Gaines
The Panther Boys, Section 2 Champions, ventured to Plattsburg to face Lake Placid High, Section 7 Champions. Both teams took the pitch looking to continue their seasons to get to the New York State Semi-Finals in Middletown on Saturday, November 17.
[private]Play started on a chilly yet sunny afternoon with the Panthers maintaining possession of the ball about 70% of the first half. The defensive line, Tyler Rondeau, Justin Gaines, Taylor Baker and Tyler Gaines stopped multiple attempts at shots on frame where Noah Chani was keeper. The midfield of Cody Gaines, Evan Phillips, Max Haar and Drew Phillips worked to move the ball to Tyler Carr and Chris LaCroix as they maneuvered around and through the Placid’s defensive line.
The Panthers had four corner kicks that were well placed, but the attackers were unable to put the ball into the net. The only goal of the game came near the end of the second half, from a corner by Evan Phillips to LaCroix who headed the ball into the goal. “That’s the game right there!” remarked LaCroix’s father, Chris.
“The last ten minutes was a possession game for us,” remarked Team Captain Cody Gaines. “We didn’t want them to have any attempts on goal so the defense cleared balls forward where we passed the ball around the [Lake] Placid players.”
This was an historic game for the Panthers since it is the first time in the school’s history that a boys soccer team has made it to the Final Four. It was the fourth time for a Section II Title in Boys Soccer. “This is a dream come true [Regional Title]… I have trained for the last four years to do this and to share it with my two brothers as teammates on the field is awesome!” remarked Cody.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Coach Mike Young. “But if any group of guys can do it, this group can. They are a terrific group of young men. They work well together. They are a cohesive unit.”
This is Young’s second year coaching at HFCS. He said he has coached at several different places, but what brought him here was “ I felt like I had something to build on.” He admits getting to this point is a “dream ride.”
“But it’s not me,” he said. “There is something here. It’s like a perfect storm.” Certainly three teams in one season in one small school making it to the final four is something special. “All the teams support each other,” he said. “There is so much support given by everyone every single day.”
The team will train the this week in preparation to meet Lansing High School from Section 4 at Faller Stadium in Middletown, NY, on Saturday at 11 am. The winner of the match moves on to the Final the next day at 10 am.
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