Varsity Boys Soccer Sectionals Game
Alex Levitskiy
On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, the Homers Boy’s Varsity Soccer team had their first sectionals game against ESM. It had been some time since the team had had a season that allowed them to advance to sectionals. The team and the coaches were excited and hoping to be successful. Going into the game, the team was down three players. During the senior night game against Marcellus, goalkeeper, Hiland Bush, and midfielder, Anthony Levitskiy, had suffered injuries. A few days later during a tournament, Zack Sovocool had a hamstring injury. All three players were out for the remainder of the season. The Junior Varsity players that were commended for their work during their season by getting moved up to Varsity for sectionals were sophomores Scott Maus, Joey Esposito, Riley McEvoy, and Lucian St. John as well as freshman, Cody Wagner. Senior Zack Sovocool started the game by wonderfully singing the national anthem, as he had done all season long. As the game began, the stands were filling up, resulting in an attendance higher than the game against Cortland. The game started off aggressively, and the play was on both ends of the field. About halfway into the first half, Brad Sovocool made a great play, passing the ball to Tyler Ponticello, but ESM’s defense denied a shooting opportunity. Towards the end of the first half, one of ESM’s players skillfully maneuvered through Homer’s defense and scored. During the last few seconds, Marc Harris made a great run to the corner with a wonderful layback, but Homer went into halftime down 0-1. Coach Shiffman told his team to play like it is 0-0. He said this was an 8-9 game, pitting the eighth seed team, Homer, versus the ninth seed team, ESM, meaning it will be a close, tough game. Only five minutes into the second half, ESM put another ball into the back of Homer’s net. With the game tense, the crowds were getting rallied up. Towards the end of the second half Scott Maus got fouled, getting Homer a free kick. Later Homer got another free kick and a shot on the goal, but still could not score. The intensity increased, resulting in an ESM player getting a yellow card. They received another yellow card after Marton Tozser made a good run to the goal, getting fouled in the box. The game ended in an upsetting loss for Homer; ESM won 2-0. This loss marked the end to the high school soccer careers of some successful seniors. After the unfortunate game, Coach Shiffman said that the team had had a great season. On a positive note, JV players Cody Wagner and Scott Maus did get an opportunity to play in the game.
Pictures provided by Zack Sovocool.
