Kendall boys capture C2 soccer championship ending long sectional title drought

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 November 2024 at 7:38 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall tri-captains Pablo Rosario-Reyes, William Kludt and Colby Hughes hold the championship trophy high after the Eagles downed Genesee Valley-Belfast this afternoon to capture the Section V Class C2 title.

Ending a 25 year plus long sectional title drought, Kendall captured the Section V Class C2 boys soccer championship with a 3-1 victory over Genesee Valley-Belfast this afternoon at Honeoye Falls-Lima.

“The kids have really worked so hard for this,” said Coach Rich Esposito of Kendall’s first boys soccer sectional title since 1998.

All of the scoring came in the first half and No. 1 seed Kendall wasted little time in taking the lead for good as Pablo Rosario-Reyes scored just 2:53 into the game.

Keeping the momentum, the Eagles upped the advantage to 2-0 just five minutes later on a goal by Colby Hughes.

No. 3 seed Genesee Valley-Belfast did cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Evan Turybury with 10 minutes to go in the half but would get no closer.

Kendall got that goal right back five minutes later as Rosario-Reyes scored off a nice centering pass by Jonathan Esposito putting the Eagles up 3-1 at the half.

“We came out strong,” said Coach Esposito. “We always stress the importance of the first five minutes and the last five minutes of a half and we were strong then and scored goals.”

Jonny Conte came up with several key saves in goal for the Eagles.

Kendall will now face C1 champion East Rochester for the Section V Class C berth in the state playoffs at Geneseo High School at 6 p.m. Tuesday. East Rochester downed Byron-Bergen 3-2 in the C1 title contest.

To view Kendall receiving their medals and trophy click here.

Kendall’s Jonathan Esposito keeps the ball away from Genesee Valley-Belfast’s Brayden Cooper.

Pablo Rosario-Reyes drives the ball up field as Ethan Davenport defends for Genesee Valley-Belfast.

Kendall’s Pantaleon Reyes Garcia and Genesee Valley-Belfast’s Ryan Snyder fight for control of the ball.