Kevin Matson (3g-1a), Sean Wiser (2g-2a), Graydon Vick (2a), Brad Wiley (1g), Jared Gage (1g). Goaltending: Guari Reyes - 8s/10ga.
Penn Yan On To The Championships
2018-06-06 - Penn Yan scored eight of the last nine goals in their 10-7 win over Chenango Forks. The Mustangs return to the Finals for the first time since 2016. In 2016, they lost to Cold Spring Harbor 15-4. The Mustangs won the State Title in 2001 over Manhasset 9-8. For this year's Tournament, Penn Yan will face Pleasantville, who defeated Mattituck 20-7 in the other Semi Final game.
The leading scorer tonight for the Mustangs was Colton Smith, who finished with 1g-4a. Austin Blumbergs finished with 4g and was instrumental at the face-off to give the Mustangs possession through the second half. Overall, Penn Yan won 11 straight face-offs to finish the game.
The game was split by a strong first quarter performance from Chenango Forks and strong final three quarters from Penn Yan. The Mustangs demonstrated their history in the State Tournament and even after falling behind 1-5, they continued to stick to their plan and come back for the win. The Mustangs scored eight unanswered goals spanning the middle of the second to the final minute of play. The Blue Devils looked like a different team in the second half and the Mustangs played a consistent game for 48 minutes. In the first half, Chenango Forks was dominate on every ball that hit the turf. They fought for the second action and every groundball. They won 5/6 face off draws and had constant defensive slides and multiple sticks on every groundball. They hustled and showed how they came back in the quarter finals matchup. Sean Wiser (2g-2a) and Kevin Matson (3g-1a) led in scoring with four points each for the Blue Devils.
The Mustangs played a strong 48 minutes and although they struggled in the opening quarter, they showed their determination in the second half. They finished out the second quarter with 2 goals, added another 4 in the third quarter, and scored the first two goals in the fourth quarter.
The game began with a goal from Chenango Forks. Matson scored off a loose groundball on the right flank. After a deflected shot by the defense, the loose ball was scooped up by Matson. He finished into the upper corner of the net to give the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead. They added another goal just under 2 minutes later. Jared Gage scored off a feed from Wiser from behind the cage. The first Mustang goal was scored with 4:47 remaining in the opening quarter. Blumbergs scored for the Mustangs with an outside shot from the left. The Blue Devils continued their early press with two more goals to finish out the quarter. Matson scored again off a feed from Wiser and an outside shot. With 0:35 remaining in the quarter, Brad Wiley scored off a feed from Graydon Vick with another outside shot. Chenango Forks led 4-1 after 12 minutes.
Chenango Forks continued on in the early second quarter. They scored the first goal of the quarter with Matson assisting Wiser. The goal was the culmination of five quick passes that ended on the right side GLE with Wiser open in a 1-0 against goalie Jeff Kinyoun. He finished with 4 saves for the Mustangs. Penn Yan responded with an inside fed from Smith to Dylan Stape. The last Blue Devil's goal before the Mustang streak was scored by Matson unassisted. They led 6-2 at their largest lead. Penn Yan controlled both the ball and the pace of the game over the remaining 27 minutes. Smith scored the first off a feed from Ayden Mowry and then assisted the second with a feed to Blumbergs. Chenango Forks held the 6-4 lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter, Penn Yan began to pull away. They scored four goals and held the Blue Devils scoreless for the entire quarter. As the Mustangs began their comeback, they stayed to their plan and showed that they had been here before. The veterans and coaching staff stuck to their plan and never faltered at trailing by four. Stape, Fingar and Blumbergs (2) scored for Penn Yan. Two goals were scored on fast-breaks and two with single player drives to the goal. After three quarters Penn Yan led 8-6. They continued more of the same in the fourth quarter. Blumbergs and Fingar scored one goal each both with inside feeds from Smith. Penn Yan largest lead came with 2:52 remaining in the game when they led 10-6. The final goal of the game was a Blue Devils goal from Wiser on fast-break.
On Saturday, The Mustangs will take on Pleasantville (Section 1) at 10:00 AM at St. John Fisher College.
![Penn Yan vs Chenango Forks NYS Semi](/gphotos/2018/2018_06_06_jl_Penn_Yan_747C7671.png)