Elmira District Boys Soccer

September 12, 2007
Star-Gazette

Elmira Free Academy's Joe Burin scored on penalty kick, Mike Chravaszcz added a goal from 25 yards out and goalie Bobby McGinnis had 10 saves as the Blue Devils earned a 2-2 Southern Tier Athletic Conference tie against state power Vestal on Tuesday.

"We had a 2-1 lead and Vestal tied it going into the half," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "It was a real battle and extremely physical in the second half. ... We just feel good about coming out with a tie against a team that some people are saying might be nationally ranked when the first polls come out."

EFA Scoring - Burin (1-1), Chrabaszcz (1-0)

Vestal Scoring - Kristek (2-0)

Shots Corners - EFA (8-6), Vestal (12-3)

Saves - EFA (McGinnis - 10), Vestal (Wells - 8)

The Elmira Free Academy Boys Varsity soccer team were crowned champions of the High School Hall of Fame Cup held in Oneonta, New York at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Mike Chrabaszcz opened the scoring for EFA 10 minutes into the contest as he made a late run into the penalty area on a set piece.  Ross Holden placed a perfect ball onto the head of Chrabaszcz who finished the play by knocking the ball into the side net at the far post giving EFA a 1-0 lead and Chrabaszcz his first varsity goal of his high school career.  Mike was named to the STAC All-Division team last season as a junior at the centerback position.  Less than 10 minutes later, Kevyn Rustici hammered a free kick home from about 25-yards out to put EFA on top 2-0 and the Devils were well on their way to Cup championship. 

Alan Barton would finish the scoring for EFA as he gathered in a throughball from junior centerback Mike McGinnis and slotted the shot home past the Glens Falls goalkeeper.  The goal was Barton's first of his varsity soccer career and essentially sealed the victory for the Blue Devils.

Defensively, EFA didn't conceed a goal throughout the tournament.  Bobby McGinnis made 11 saves in 2 games, while Cory Hill, Hunter Reed, Chrabazcz, and Mike McGinnis all played vital roles in the championship effort.

EFA moves to 5-1 on the season and next faces Vestal Tuesday in Vestal at 4:30 pm.

EFA Scoring - Rustici (1-0), Chrabaszcz (1-0), Barton (1-0), Holden (0-1), M. McGinnis (0-1)

Shots/Corners - EFA (11-5), GF (8-1)

Saves - EFA (B. McGinnis-8), GF (Boucher-8) 

EFA 2, South Glens Falls 0: Frankie Mannino and Semko Abdullah each scored a goal for Elmira Free Academy in a win over South Glens Falls at the Oneonta National Hall of Fame High School Soccer Tournament.

"We dominated the play," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "We had trouble finishing. But any time you don't give up any goals, you're guaranteed not to lose."

EFA (4-1) will meet Glens Falls in the championship game at 1:30 p.m. today.

EFA Goals/Assists - Mannino (1-0), Abdullah (1-0), Hill (0-1), Burin (0-1)

Shots/Corners - EFA (15-5), SGF (3-1)

Saves - EFA (B. McGinnis - 3), SGF (E. Smith - 13)

September 6, 2007
Star-Gazette

Frankie Mannino scored two goals and Joe Burin added a goal and three assists to lead Elmira Free Academy over Southside 4-0 in a Southern Tier Athletic Conference West boys soccer game Wednesday.

Bobby McGinnis had three saves in goal for EFA. McGinnis and the Blue Devils defense earned their second shutout of the season.

EFA Scoring - Mannino (2-0), Burin (1-3), Bradley (1-0), Holden (0-1)

Shots/Corners - EFA (18-8), SHS (3-2)

Saves - EFA (B. McGinnis - 3), SHS (Murphy - 14)

September 1, 2007
Star-Gazette

EFA 4, Ithaca 2: Elmira Free Academy scored four goals over a span of less than 20 minutes in the second half to rally for a Southern Tier Athletic Conference win over Ithaca after trailing 2-0 at halftime.

Kevyn Rustici got the Blue Devils (2-1, 2-1) on the board with a goal off a penalty kick with about 30 minutes left. He scored the tying goal off a header about 10 minutes later.

Frankie Mannino then put EFA ahead with about 15 minutes left when he drilled the ball into the corner from the top of the 18-yard line.

Freshman Nick Lian closed the EFA scoring run by scoring his second goal of the season off a header with about 12 minutes left.

"We didn't play with the amount of passion needed in the first 45 minutes," EFA coach Derek Hamilton said. "Once we got the penalty kick our spirits picked up. Psychologically, a 2-1 deficit is so much smaller than a 2-0 deficit. We just started picking up the momentum, moving the ball like we can and finished when given the opportunities."

The victory over Ithaca was the first since Elmira Free Academy joined the STAC nine seasons ago.

EFA Scoring - Rustici (2-1), Mannino (1-0), Lian (1-0), Holden (0-1)

Ithaca Scoring - Eliason (1-0), Miller (1-0)

Shots/Corners - EFA (9-4), Ithaca (8-2)

Saves - B. McGinnis (6), Albanese (6)