2004 TRI-VALLEY LEAGUE BOYS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

By Jeff Vella

Staff Writer

ONEONTA — Sure, winning the Tri-Valley League championship is nice. But if everything falls into place for the Edmeston boys soccer team, the T-V crown could just be a sidenote for the season.

Brad Belden and James Slentz scored Saturday to lead the Panthers past Milford, 2-0, for the T-V title before an estimated 350 fans at Wright National Soccer Campus. It’s the second straight league championship for reigning Class D state champion Edmeston.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]"It’s not what it was last year when it was the first run," said senior Belden, who was part of a more subdued celebration Saturday. "Everyone’s still glad to win, just as long as we can keep winning. That’s the main goal."

Edmeston (17-2) overcame a late-season, two-game deficit to Laurens to win the West Division, so just getting a chance to defend the league title seemed a pleasant surprise for the Panthers.

"We were happy to get here," said Edmeston coach Jim Huntington, whose team is seeded second in the Section Four Class D Tournament and has a bye for Tuesday’s first round. "This year I think we’re almost looking beyond to sectionals, but at the same time knowing this was going to be a tough game with Milford."

The Wildcats (11-4-2), who beat the Panthers in the regular season, proved a worthy opponent in the T-V final, controlling portions of the game and nearly tying the score midway through the second half.

"We played them tough, we really did," Milford coach Frank Spurchise said. "I think we represented our side well. We did as well as anyone else that has played them."

The Wildcats held their own in the first 20 minutes and started to put some pressure on Edmeston until Belden scored 10 minutes before halftime on a counter.

Milford stopper Brett Laible came up to take a throw-in deep in Edmeston territory. The Panthers defense intercepted the ball and cleared it up to Matt Laymon on the left wing. With Milford scrambling back, Belden called for a long pass as he made a run. Laymon chipped a ball from near midfield that Belden tracked down at the corner of the 18. Belden volleyed the ball over a defender to set up a 1-on-1 with Milford goalie Philip Schultes. When the keeper charged, Belden kicked the ball in.

"I knew if (Laymon) sent it, I could beat (the defense)," said Belden, who leads area boys with 25 goals. "I’ve been trying to get that one move all year, and I finally got it."

Edmeston responded with a strong 10 minutes before halftime. Belden nearly made it 2-0 with five minutes to go after Barrett Hawes set him up in front. But Belden partially whiffed on the shot and Schultes made the save.

"Brad’s goal was big," Hawes said. "It got our confidence back up, and it got the momentum going."

Midway through the second half, Milford came inches from the equalizer. Laible took a long throw from the right side that pinballed around the Edmeston box. Eventually, Panthers goalie Andy Cole poked the ball, but sweeper Justin Dye cleared it off the line to save a goal.

"My guys were telling me that ball was in," Spurchise said. "But I said you’ve got to do whatever you can to put it in so the official has no choice but to call it in."

Dye and defensive teammates Jason Ruffles and Ryan Laymon prevented Milford from threatening again.

"I think the key is everyone’s forgotten about our defense," Huntington said. "We’ve only given up nine goals. We’ve got some tough defenders and Andy (Cole) is starting to come on."

Slentz made it 2-0 with 7:20 left on his 16th goal of the season. Ruffles started the play with a run down right wing before finding Hawes on the outside. Hawes beat the defense around the corner and took the ball to the near post. At the last instant, Hawes touched a square pass to Slentz, who easily scored from 6 yards.

Edmeston, winner of nine straight, finished with an 18-8 advantage in shots. Cole made six saves for the shutout.

The Panthers are off until Friday, when they play host to Tuesday’s winner of No. 7 Roxbury and No. 10 South Kortright.

Milford is the fifth seed and plays host to No. 12 Worcester at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

EDMESTON 2, MILFORD 0

Milford 0 0 — 0

Edmeston (17-2): Brad Belden 1-0, James Slentz 1-0, Matt Laymon 0-1, Barrett Hawes 0-1.

Milford (11-4-2): None.

Shots-corners: Edmeston 18-7; Milford 8-1.

Goalies: Andy Cole (E) 6; Philip Schultes (M) 4.