By: Malcolm Phillips
BROCKPORT N.Y. — The Brockport’s boys soccer team fell at home to Pittsford Sutherland in a one-sided match 4-0. The result extended the Knight’s winning streak to five and saw the Blue Devils do the exact opposite, as this game marked their fifth consecutive loss.
A game beginning with high winds and ending with heavy rain was dominated by the Knights from start to finish. It also saw their key players shine as the team's two captains, Samuel Fagan and William Hanford were the only two names on the scoresheet.
Fagan began the scoring for his team with a wonderful goal only ten minutes into the game. He drove from his defensive midfield possession as space opened up for him and shifted the ball onto his right foot where he smashed the ball home. The ball rocketed off the bottom right-hand post and went in.
“I just saw an opening, as like a center defensive mid I'm farther back and I just saw it," Fagan said. "So I took the lane and I got the ball. Great pass, had to take the shot.”
Hanford had the most impressive day, finishing the game with an uninterrupted hat trick full of great finishes. This is Hanford's second hat trick on Brockport’s field as he achieved the feat one year prior in his junior year.
Hanford’s first goal was very silky as he faked a shot onto his favored right foot and rifled the ball into the top right corner. The second goal showed great team play as the Knights held possession well on top of Brockport’s box before Hanford slipped in right through the middle of the defense. He was calm in front of the goal and coolly rolled the ball past Brockport’s keeper. Hanford got his hat trick from a penalty kick that he won as he was clearly tripped up driving into the box.
“I think just moving the ball, working together, we played great and just working harder looking for those through runs through ball runs," Hanford said. “I had one last year so I put a chip on my shoulder to have another one here again.”
Head Coach of the Knights Sean Hopkins spoke about aspects of his team he appreciated on the day and what the future looks like for his team.
“I love that we had another clean sheet," Hopkins said. "I think that's five or six in a row, which is good. We obviously got four goals, which is nice. I think it's only the third time this year we've scored at least four goals. So we're starting to put things together we're combining getting opportunities, playing good defense.”
“Well, I'm hoping that we just keep getting better and we have, we've gotten really good here at the end of the season. We're starting to get some wins. We're on a nice streak and you know, we don't want to peak yet. We want to peak here in another week when we get to sectionals and hopefully, we can find a way to bring home a title.”
The Knights move to 9-4-1, looking to finish the regular season strong as they battle for position heading into sectionals. Their next game is against Canandaigua Academy at home.
As for the Blue Devils their woes continue and they move to 6-7-1 as they look first to get back above .500. Their next game comes against Greece Athena away from home.
Prior to the game players and families from Brockport remembered the life of Ethan R. Miller. A former soccer player at Brockport High School. Miller passed on Oct. 5, 2023, bravely fighting lymphoma. Players, coaches, and family spoke about Miller and the wonderful person he was. Green shirts were worn by Brockport fans and a number of Brockport players wore green tape to represent Miller.
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