By Kenneth Sauer

BROCKPORT, N.Y. – It was Senior Night for the Brockport High School boy’s varsity soccer team. A pre-game ceremony was held honoring the 14 seniors on the Brockport roster. After that, it seemed the Brockport Blue Devils decided that they were going to make their Senior Night one to remember. 

On Wednesday, Oct. 6, the Blue Devils dominated in their home match against the Canandaigua Academy Braves.  Brockport outscored their Monroe league divisional rival 4-1. Several seniors had shined in the process.

These two teams met earlier in the season, with Brockport taking the win 2-1 over the Braves. Tonight the Blue Devil’s picked up right where they left off. 

Midfielder Jacob Miller kicked off the scoring for the Devils making a goal off an assist by fellow senior midfielder Austin Davis. Putting the Blue Devils up 1-0 in the opening seven minutes ( 33:37 on the clock). Brockport’s second goal came at the 34-minute mark ( 6:49 on the clock) as senior Samuel Bonisteel scored a goal to put the team up 2-0 to close out the half. 

During the second half, the Brave’s lone goal came off the foot of senior Yohan Colman in the opening six minutes which put the Braves on the board 2-1. 

However, this motivated Brockport even more as just 29 seconds later the Blue Devils took the ball down the field culminating in J.Miller making a deflection goal by kicking the ball into the leg of a Canandaigua player causing the ball to bounce inside the Braves’ own goal. This put Brockport up 3-1 with 34:08 on the clock. Brockport secured their win by finding the net one last time, thanks to Sam Bonisteel who scored the final goal in the closing three minutes, making the final score 4-1.

Other highlights came from senior goalkeeper Hayden Watt who made five saves in the second half. Another monster save came from senior defender Liam Fitzpatrick who headed the ball mid-air out of bounds in front of his own goal to prevent a Braves score.  

“ These guys have been working extremely hard…we set some goals at the beginning of the season…to finish above .500 and to get a home sectional game and right now it’s in their hands if we continue to play the way we’ve been playing.” Head coach Jeffery Phillips stated.

Brockport’s overall record after tonight will be 8-5 ( 4-4 in divisional play). They are currently holding onto the No.5 seed in sectional standings. If past sectional seeding patterns remain true ( all this according to www.sectionvsoccer.org ) should grant them a home playoff game. With three more games left in the regular season, both those goals are close to being met.

“ I think we’re playing a lot better in our attack in third we’re getting more creative in our attack in third…When you have a kid on our team…who is upward of 16 or 17 points goals in Jacob Miller…it makes a big difference.” Phillip said speaking highly of his senior captain.

“ I just wanted to get a positive result regardless of who scores…Just wanted to get a win on Senior Night for everyone.” J. Miller said after the game. 

“It’s always nice to win on Senior Night. Not just for me but for the other seniors.”  Fitzpatrick said. 

It was a night that truly meant a lot to the players. Especially after the seniors from the previous year were unable to have their Senior Night.

Up next, the Blue Devils are on the road to take on divisional rival Greece-Athena on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.