2023-05-31 - SPORTSFIVE REPORT: Penn Yan defeated Aquinas 11-6 to win their 12th straight (and 27th overall) Sectional Championship. The Mustangs had a slow start in the first quarter, but picked up the pace for the remainder of the game and led throughout. After three quarters, the Mustangs led 7-2 before both teams added four goals each in the final quarter. The game (especially the first three quarters) were a defensive battle. Both goalies step up and had multi-digit saves. For Aquinas, freshman Jake Gibson finished with 11 saves (most of which in the first three quarters) and was named to the All Tournament Team. Penn Yan goalie, sophomore Will Thompson recorded 10 saves and was named the Class D All Tournament MVP. Offensively, Teagan Fingar (1g-3a), Braden Fingar (2g-2a) and Bryant VanHousen (2g-1a) led in scoring and were all named to the All Tournament Team for the Mustangs. For Aquinas, Noah Olbrich (2g-1a) and Drew Eddy (2g-1a) led in scoring.
In the first quarter, neither team scored. The game went back and forth with both teams having a chance at the cage; however, both goalies stepping up with big saves. In the second quarter, Penn Yan broke open the scoring only 9 seconds into the quarter. VanHousen scored off a fast-break (assisted by T. Fingar). The Mustangs increased their lead to 2 with T. Fingar assisting B. Fingar. The Little Irish got on the board with freshman Jake Guggino scoring off a loose ball on the crease. Guggino was named to the All Tournament team for the Little Irish. The final goal of the first half was scored by Caden Dixon (3g) off a feed from T. Fingar. The Mustangs led 3-1 at halftime.
The Mustangs increased their lead in the third quarter with the first four goals. B. Fingar, VanHousen, Dixon and Tukker Fisher each scored one goal. The Little Irish scored the last goal of the quarter off multiple quick passes ending with Guggino assisting Olbrich. Olbrich was also named to the All Tournament Team. Penn Yan led 7-2 going into the final quarter.
The majority of the scoring from the contest occurred in the final quarter, with eight total goals coming in the final 12 minutes. Olbrich scored his final goal on a fast-break 8 seconds into play. The Mustangs responded with four unasnswered goals to take their game high lead of 11-3 with 6:33 remaining. Aquinas added three more goals in the final four minutes; two of the goal were scored during man-up play. Eddy scored both of the man-up goals; the first assisted by Gio Valerie and the second assisted by Olbrich. Freshman Tano Auriuso scored the last goal off a feed from junior Carter Wegman.
Rounding out the All Tournament team were Harry Kestler (Marcus Whitman), Preston Steve (Newark), Andrew Gatti (Aquinas) and Anthony Druker (Penn Yan). The Mustangs will move on to face the winner of the Section Six Champion on Saturday at 5:30.
had multi-digit saves. For Aquinas, freshman Jake Gibson finished with 11 saves (most of which in the first three quarters) and was named to the All Tournament Team. Penn Yan goalie, sophomore Will Thompson recorded 10 saves and was named the Class D All Tournament MVP. Offensively, Teagan Fingar (1g-3a), Braden Fingar (2g-2a) and Bryant VanHousen (2g-1a) led in scoring and were all named to the All Tournament Team for the Mustangs. For Aquinas, Noah Olbrich (2g-1a) and Drew Eddy (2g-1a) led in scoring.
In the first quarter, neither team scored. The game went back and forth with both teams having a chance at the cage; however, both goalies stepping up with big saves. In the second quarter, Penn Yan broke open the scoring only 9 seconds into the quarter. VanHousen scored off a fast-break (assisted by T. Fingar). The Mustangs increased their lead to 2 with T. Fingar assisting B. Fingar. The Little Irish got on the board with freshman Jake Guggino scoring off a loose ball on the crease. Guggino was named to the All Tournament team for the Little Irish. The final goal of the first half was scored by Caden Dixon (3g) off a feed from T. Fingar. The Mustangs led 3-1 at halftime.
The majority of the scoring from the contest occurred in the final quarter, with eight total goals coming in the final 12 minutes. Olbrich scored his final goal on a fast-break 8 seconds into play. The Mustangs responded with four unasnswered goals to take their game high lead of 11-3 with 6:33 remaining. Aquinas added three more goals in the final four minutes; two of the goal were scored during man-up play. Eddy scored both of the man-up goals; the first assisted by Gio Valerie and the second assisted by Olbrich. Freshman Tano Auriuso scored the last goal off a feed from junior Carter Wegman.