Kendall set to begin state soccer title quest

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Vinnie D’Agostino and his Kendall teammates will face Allegany-Limestone in the Class C Far West Regional at 6 p.m. Friday at Geneseo.

Having already captured Genesee Region League and Section V titles, the Kendall boys soccer team is now setting its sights on an even bigger prize – a state championship.

The Eagles will take the first step in that quest on Friday as the Eagles face Section VI champion Allegany-Limestone in the Class C Far West Regional at Geneseo at 6 p.m.

Kendall, which advanced to the regional be defeating Genesee Valley-Belfast 3-1 for the Section V Class C2 title and East Rochester 3-0 in the Section V Class C qualifier, brings and 18-1-1 record into the state playoffs.

Allegany-Limestone, which advanced by downing Randolph 2-0 for the Section VI Class C title, has a 17-2 record.

The Kendall offense has been spearheaded by Pablo Rosario-Reyes who has 29 goals and 23 assists. The Eagles attack has also featured Brandon Barrett with 13 goals and 11 assists, Jonathan Esposito (10 goals, 7 assists), Colby Hughes (8 goals, 13 assists), William Kludt (8 goals, 1 assist) , Vinnie D’Agostino (7 goals, 5 assists) and Brenden Eichas (6 goals, 5 assists).

Allegany-Limestone’s offense has been led by the quartet of Cooper Wilczewski (15 goals, 6 assists), Zander Parsons (11 goals, 4 assists), Noah Hatch (9 goals, 6 assists) and Matt Buenett (9 goals, 3 assists).

The Kendall defense, which has registered 13 shutouts, is anchored by goalie Jonny Conte who has a 0.39 goals against average. Conte’s defensive mates include William Kludt, Pantaleon Reyes-Garcia, Mikey Colucci and Ethan Hardenbrook. It is a group that Coach Rich Esposito has noted “have been studs back there.”

The winner will advance to next Friday’s state semifinals at Middletown against the winner of the Central Regional contest between Tully (Section III) and Southern Cayuga (Section IV).

This is Kendall’s first appearance in the state playoffs since 1998. That year the Eagles defeated Chautauqua Lake 4-2 in the Far West Regionals but lost to Hamilton 2-1 in overtime in the state semifinals.