Elmira District Boys Soccer

Logan Brimmer scored the decisive goal off a Dan Dimon assist late in the game to lift the Elmira boys soccer team to a 3-2 victory over visiting Binghamton on Wednesday in Southern Tier Athletic Conference action.

John Beecher scored for the Express (1-1) with about eight minutes remaining to even the score at 2-2. Elmira sophomore Jan Ziembicki’s first career goal helped the Express go into halftime tied at 1-1.

Ismar Turkovic and Tony Vu scored for the Patriots (0-2).

“We’re a young team this year. I think we showed our immaturity at times,” Elmira head coach Derek Hamilton said. “The way that we came back was fantastic. I think we were too naive to give up, to be honest with you. It was a feel-good win.”

The Express opened the season Saturday with a loss to defending Section 4 Class AA champion Ithaca.

Elmira Scoring - Brimmer (1-1), Beecher (1-0), Ziembicki (1-0), Dimon (0-1),  Wise (0-1)

Binghamton Scoring - Vu (1-0), Turkovic (1-0), Xamvilaysak (0-1)

Shots/Corners - Elmira (10-6), Binghamton (3-3)

Saves - Elmira (Mason - 1), Binghamton (Hyde - 7) 

By CHRIS GILL
cmgill@the-leader.com
Posted Dec. 9, 2014 @ 4:28 pm
Updated at 7:43 PM    

The most athletic players don't always stay up front, as this year's All-Leader boys soccer team illustrates.

Versatility pretty much sums up this year's crop of players, who tend to play at both ends of the field and even the specialists are able to switch it up and make an impact at the opposite end of the field.

That said, the most dynamic player, for the most successful team in the area, was Elmira Notre Dame's Rocco Coulibaly. He was voted the All-Leader Player of the Year, as determined by polling coaches.

 Connor Bayne, So., midfield, Elmira Notre Dame

Bayne's main responsibility was to help clear the defensive zone and set up Notre Dame's ferocious and unrelenting attack. However, when the chips were down, he could finish what he started.

The sophomore midfielder scored 15 goals – including several in big situations – and had 13 assists to earn his first All-Leader appearance. Bayne was part of Notre Dame's 1-2 midfield punch with Alec Cutler that produced 17 wins in 2014.

"He really built our attack and staved off any counters and pressure on our defense – there's a lot of maturity beyond his years," said Notre Dame coach Brian Adams. "He had an ability to deliver key goals. He really knew how to find a way to create and capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities."

 

Rocco Coulibaly, Jr., attack, Elmira Notre Dame

If his parents hadn't moved from their home in Mali, a country torn apart by civil war, the area never would have been able to see Coulibaly play the game. Fortunately, his family is safe and the soccer community got to see one of the most dynamic figures on the field.

A fourth-team All-State selection, Coulibaly scored 27 times with 18 assists to pace Notre Dame's high-octane attack. With two – and sometimes three – defenders on his back, the swift and skilled junior made regular visits to the back of the net.

"He has surprising speed and an innate ability to find the back of the net – something you just can't coach," Adams said. "Whenever he plays, he's got a big smile on his face and he's always getting pretty beat up on the field."

Speed didn't make him one dimensional, either.

Often called on to help out on the back end, Coulibaly could create havoc at either end of the field – and have a great time doing it.

"He's such a selfless player, he would not only fall back on defense, but do it with passion," Adams said.

Coulibaly makes his first appearance on the All-Leader team in style, earning Player of the Year honors.

 

Alec Cutler, Jr., midfield, Elmira Notre Dame

The engine of the Crusaders' undefeated team, Cutler played beyond his years this season and helped return Notre Dame to soccer glory.

A first-team All-State selection, Cutler scored nine times with 23 assists, but his ability to manage the action on the field was his most impressive feat.

"He just created so much for us going forward, but really strong and controlling the pitch," Adams said. "He works really hard at going forward and recovering – he covered the entire playing field. He was a great leader and what was most impressive about him, he's a 16-year-old junior and he was able to handle adversity and was a leader on the field."

Cutler's patience and precision-based aggression was critical to Notre Dame's first sectional title in nearly three decades. He makes his second All-Leader appearance, and expect to see him on the list one more time in 2015.

 

Wyatt Hayes, Sr., stopper, Jasper-Troupsburg

One of the few remaining pieces from the 2013 co-state championship squad, Hayes was a rock for the retooled Wildcats this season.

The Section V, Class D All-Tournament and All-SCAA member, Hayes scored six goals with four assists – from playing on the back end. Equally adept at shutting down the best player from the opposing team as he was starting a run the other way, Hayes finishes his career on the All-Leader team.

"Being aware of where teammates were all the time and getting our offense started from the back – those were his strengths," said Jasper-Troupsburg coach Herb Baker. "He never seemed to get rattled, very level-headed – he's been around and he's a good student, an all-around good kid."

 

Kyle Johnson, Sr., midfield, Elmira

Playing his third position in three varsity seasons, Johnson continued to make a big impact for the Express.

The All-STAC selection scored three goals with five assists, but putting up numbers wasn't his primary concern – controlling the game and setting up the offense and defense proved his speciality.

"He was really instrumental what he did for us this season," said Elmira coach Derek Hamilton. "He was the guy who was an emotional leader, as well as his play. When you get someone that fearless, it elevates everyone else as well."

Good in the air and on the ground, Johnson was able to cover a lot of ground for Elmira, and quickly. He was able to harness his skills and apply them to the field.

"He's very fast and very strong, he was what made us go at times," Hamilton said. "At all times, he's the fastest kid on the field – not just north/south fast, he was quick all over and his recovery speed was excellent."

 

Sean Paul Owen, Sr., midfielder, Horseheads

It wasn't tough to spot Owen on the field – he was the one running harder than anyone else.

The senior posted four goals and five assists for the Blue Raiders, but his real value was at midfield – where he created plays as well as he disrupted them. Yes, he had the speed to make things happen, but his body control and athleticism pushed his efforts over the top in 50/50 situations.

"He's a good hard physical player, very good in the air and he makes great decisions. He used his skills very well," said Horseheads coach Mike Mucci. "He has a 'don't quit attitude.' If the ball is anywhere near him, he's going to challenge for it and always had a positive attitude."

 

Zach Quist, Sr., forward, Corning

If the ball landed anywhere near Quist, it was probably going into the net.

Corning's opportunistic senior tallied a Hawks record 26 goals to go along with three assists and he was a perfect 7-for-7 on free kicks this season. Mind you, he did this in the always-tough STAC against teams like Ithaca, Elmira and Binghamton with regularity.

"He finished whenever he had the ball – he was lethal with the ball this year. He stepped up mightily this season," said Corning coach Steve Mastronardi. "In pressure situations, big games, he comes up big. He's hard to stop."

And every team put their best defender on him.

His gift for beating goalies aside, Quist was also a master of getting in position to score and could be called upon to play defense without hesitation. Still, what stands out the most is the doubling of his offensive production in one year.

"I knew he would have a big season, but it was a nice surprise to have that finisher – especially in the critical moments of big games," Mastronardi said.

 

Austin Spina, Jr., attack, Bradford-Dundee

No team in the Steuben County Athletic Association wanted to face Bradford-Dundee this season, mainly because of Spina.

With 20 goals and four assists, Spina scored more than half of his team's goals this season and made life miserable for defenders, stoppers and goalies. While the Braves didn't have a remarkable season, Spina's performance helped ease that pain. To put it into context: Spina alone scored more goals than five teams in his league, and more than any one player on stronger programs like Jasper-Troupsburg, Arkport and Prattsburgh.

A junior, Spina's first All-Leader appearance isn't likely to be his last.

 

Connor Strong, Jr., stopper, Bath Haverling

In keeping with this season's All-Leader theme, Strong's name isn't just a way to identify him – it summarizes his his play. 

At 5-11, 180 pounds, Strong was able to shut down the opposition's best players with a unique blend of speed and toughness. The All-LCAA and All-State pick, Strong was also smart in front of the net – possessing the ability to kick start the offense from the opposite end of the field. He scored twice with five assists, without shirking his primary objective – keeping people out of his net.

"He's one of the strongest factors on the field anytime we play – he's just a man out there, as a junior," said Bath Haverling coach Matt Hill. "He's super fast, the fastest and strongest kid on the field anytime we play. He doesn't lose his composure, keeps his cool no matter what. He's always able to keep his head."

 

Franco Summa, Sr., midfield, Corning

Summa didn't just mean a lot to his team this season, his legacy will likely extend beyond his years in the Corning-Painted Post School District.

A member of the 2012 sectional championship team (the only one in program history), Summa has been at the core of the Hawks' recent success with two sectional title game appearances in the last three years. This season, the multi-faceted midfielder had eight goals and a program record 18 assists.

"He's one of the most versatile players the program has ever seen. He can play anywhere, he has good vision and great technical ability, just a great all-around player," said Corning coach Steve Mastronardi.

Summa makes his third straight All-Leader appearance, utilizing a set of tools not many players in the area can claim – and most that can't be taught.

"He's very quick with the ball, he can dribble with the ball as fast as people can run without the ball," Mastronardi said. "On top of that, he's a great defender when he doesn't have the ball."

 

Luke Terwilliger, Sr., defender, Corning

Teams that scored on the Hawks earned everything they got, because at some point, someone had to beat Terwilliger.

The senior center back was responsible to keeping the opposition's best scorer away from the goal and kick start the attack from the back. This season, he did much more than that.

"He's good in the air and has decent speed for a guy his size. He was the leader of the defense all season. We had a younger team this year, so he had to keep it all together in the back," Mastronardi said. "He was a rock in the back."

Making his second All-Leader appearance is impressive, but consider that Terwilliger wasn't a stopper by design.

"He just learned that position the last two years. To be an all-conference player, having never played the position, is pretty big," Mastronardi said. "He's one of the hardest working players I've ever coached. He's intelligent, patient and savvy."

SECOND TEAM

Jared Baker, Sr., attack, Addison

Logan Brimmer, Jr., attack, Elmira

John Flemming, Sr., defender, Elmira

Elliott Hillman, Jr., midfield, Bath Haverling

Bradley Owens, Sr., attack, Prattsburgh

Gerardo Nunez, Sr., defender, Horseheads

Troy Robbins, Sr., attack, Campbell-Savona

Nick Steed, Fr., midfield, Elmira Notre Dame

Logan Strong, So., sweeper, Bath Haverling

Alexander Tostanoske, Sr., utility, Corning

Aaron Van Skiver, Jr., attack, Jasper-Troupsburg

 

Andrew Legare, alegare@stargazette.com @SGAndrewLegare 4:14 p.m. EST November 18, 2014

Three players from Section 4 Class AA runner-up Corning have been selected to the Southern Tier Athletic Conference Metro/West all-conference team for boys soccer.

The selections were made by the divisions' coaches. Also picked was the STAC West all-division team.

Corning choices on the West/Metro team were defender Luke Terwilliger, midfielder Franco Summa and forward Zach Quist. All three are seniors.

Elmira had two all-conference selections: senior defender Jon Fleming and senior midfielder Kyle Johnson.

Other West/Metro picks were Ithaca's Danny Stagliano, Jean Sinon, Amir Omar, Luc Sinon and Tristan Cornell-Roberts; Vestal's Tyler Elliott, Conner McKnight and Brian Clark; Union-Endicott's Mike Mencel and Josh Ripic; Maine-Endwell's Shea Osovski and Mark Lee.

STAC West all-division picks: Goalie — Erik Ekstrom, Corning; defenders — Will Strominger, Ithaca; Marc Andrien, Horseheads; Brian Austin, Corning; Luke Cain, Elmira; Robby Weiskopf, Elmira; midfielders — Sean Paul Owen, Horseheads; Alexander Tostanoski, Corning; Eli Halperin, Elmira; Tyler Prunoske, Elmira; Mason Wolff, Ithaca; Pierre Clavel, Ithaca; forwards — Logan Brimmer, Elmira; Isaac Davies, Corning; Jose Garcia, Horseheads; Alejandro Nunez, Horseheads; Phyo Zay Htet, Ithaca.

Elmira 6, Waverly 1: At Waverly, Kyle Johnson and Logan Brimmer scored two goals each as Elmira earned a non-league win. Eli Halperin and Johnny Beecher also scored for Elmira.

Elmira Scoring - Brimmer (2-1), Johnson (2-1), Beecher (1-1), Halperin (1-0), Shaylor (0-1)

Waverly Scoring - Caplan (1-0)

Shots/Corners - Elmira (25-5), Waverly (5-0)

Saves - Elmira (Mason-2, Burns-3), Waverly (Rogers-19)