Kendall wins to earn berth in state tourney
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall goalie Jonny Conte goes up to knock a shot away in the first half of the Eagles 3-0 Section V Class C state qualifier win over East Rochester this evening at Geneseo.
Punching their ticket to the state tournament, the Kendall Eagles shutout the East Rochester Bombers 3-0 in the Section V Class C state qualifier boys soccer game this evening at Geneseo.
Improving to 18-1-1, the victory advances Kendall to Friday’s Class C Far West Regional against Section VI champion Allegany-Limestone at 6 p.m. at Geneseo.
“I’m just super proud of all of them ,” said Coach Rich Esposito. “They really locked that defense down.”
Kendall wasted little time in moving on top to stay as Colby Hughes scored off a corner by Brenden Eichas just nine minutes into the game.
“We set the tone early,” said Esposito. “We possessed the ball well and getting that early one was huge.”
The Eagles just missed on three other shots later in the half which ended a tight 1-0 contest.
Kendall finally opened up a little breathing room when Vinnie D’Agostino scored on a penalty kick 12 minutes into the second half.
The Eagles then put a lock on the victory when Pablo Rosario Reyes scored on a breakaway with 13 minutes to go upping the lead to 3-0.
Kendall goalie Jonny Conte and his defensive mates including William Kludt, Pantaleon Reyes-Garcia, Mikey Colucci and Ethan Hardenbrook combined to post the Eagles 13th shutout of the season.
“They’ve been a bunch of studs for us back there,” said Esposito of his defensive group.
Kendall advanced to the state qualifier by downing Genesee Valley-Belfast 3-1 for the Class C2 title while East Rochester bested Byron-Bergen/Elba 3-2 for the Class C1 title.
The sectional title and the berth in the state tournament is the first for the Eagles since 1998.
Kendall’s Jonathan Esposito goes up for a header against East Rochester’s Judah Tanner.
Kendall’s Mikey Colucci sends the ball up field as Elijah Tanner moves in for East Rochester.
A large crowd of Kendall fans were on hand to support their Eagles.
