HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER: SECTION FOUR CLASS D QUARTERFINAL

By Jeff Vella

Staff Writer

MIL

Edmeston’s Colin Bliss tries to get around defender Arek Robinson in Saturday’s Section Four Class D quarterfinal at Milford. Eighth-seeded Edmeston upset Milford, 1-0, as the top-seeded Wildcats lost for the first time this season. Contributed photo by Cheryl Clough

FORD — When does a No. 8 seed beating a No. 1 not constitute a bracket-busting upset?

When the so-called underdog is a talent-rich former state champion, and the game is part of the deep and balanced Section Four Class D boys soccer tournament.

Colin Bliss headed in a first-half goal, and eighth-seeded Edmeston knocked off previously unbeaten Milford, 1-0, in a sectional quarterfinal on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon.

[an error occurred while processing this directive]"I don’t consider this an upset," said Wildcats coach Frank Spurchise, whose team entered with a 16-0-2 record and the No. 4 ranking in the state. "It’s just the way the seedings fell. I said in the beginning, any of the top eight seeds can win it. This was a game between two quality teams, and Edmeston made the most of its opportunities."

The Panthers (13-4-1) didn’t appear at all intimidated by their surroundings or their opponent. They tied Tri-Valley League champion Milford, 0-0, in the regular season.

"We knew even though we were an eight seed, we still had a chance," said Bliss, one of five players remaining from the 2003 state-champion team. "I don’t think this was a big upset. I thought we deserved a better seed, but according to our record, we were eighth. We had an up-and-down season, but this proves to everyone that we can play with the best of them."

If anything, the No. 8 seed might have put a chip on the shoulder of the Panthers, who advanced to Wednesday’s 2 p.m. semifinal against Gilbertsville-Mount Upton (14-5-1) at the Wright National Soccer Campus. The teams split in the regular season.

"We said when sectionals begin we’re 0-0 and we start from there," said Edmeston coach Jim Huntington, whose team has won five straight games by a combined score of 31-0. "We started to put things together late in the year. Without a doubt, this is our best stretch of the season. Certainly we think we have as good a chance as anyone else now."

Bliss showed his big-game mettle by heading in Tony DeGristina’s chip pass with 12 minutes, 44 seconds left in the first half.

The play started on Jake Bartlett’s long throw-in from the left sideline. The ball deflected toward the endline about 10 yards from the left goalpost, and DeGristina ran it down.

He lofted a ball across the goal to Bliss, who jumped for it as Milford goalie Philip Schultes came out. Bliss’ header went up and inside the far post, narrowly avoiding an airborne and outstretched Schultes.

"(Tony) chipped a perfect pass," said Bliss, who leads the Panthers with 21 goals. "The goalie’s momentum was going away from the ball, so I headed it opposite side of him."

DeGristina began the season as Edmeston’s goalie, but Huntington moved him up front with three games left in the regular season to provide a physical presence.

Junior Nick Benjamin, making his fifth straight start at goalie, stopped three shots for his fifth straight shutout. Benjamin’s best save came 14 minutes in, when he stayed low to stop Milford’s Dan Baxter on a breakaway from the right side. The Wildcats also hit the goalpost twice.

"We had opportunities," Spurchise said. "This is the game of soccer. How many good chances did they have? One. And they capitalized. I don’t think we outplayed them, but we had chances. Did we play the kind of game we were capable of? I really don’t think so."

Jay Jones’ header off Steve Kerr’s corner kick bounced off the inside of the post, then off Benjamin and out late in the first half, and a shot off a scramble in front rang off the crossbar 13 minutes into the second half.

"They had their chances, but luck was on our side," Edmeston defender Ryan Laymon said.

Sweeper Laymon and outside backs Bartlett and Patrick Norton kept Milford to the perimeter for most of the second half, holding the Wildcats to three shots in the final 40 minutes and seven for the game.

Milford had the ball in Edmeston’s end for long stretches late in the game, but a Panthers defender always seemed to step in and thwart potential shots.

"Our defense just played great," Bliss said. "They never gave up on balls. I think that was the longest second half of my life."

The magnitude of the game even seemed to affect Huntington, one of the most mild-mannered coaches around. Huntington was uncharacteristically animated on the sidelines, shouting instructions and encouragement with fervor.

"Last year, I didn’t feel as good when we won the Tri-Valley League championship as I do today," Huntington said. "I don’t know why. Maybe because it was against an undefeated team. I figured it was going to be 0-0 or 1-0. Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for Frank, we came out on top."

Milford’s loss marks the second straight year the top Class D boys seed fell in its opening game. Last season, Davenport lost to G-MU, 2-1.

"It hurts a lot right now," Spurchise said. "But I’m really proud of what we’ve done. These kids have nothing to be ashamed of. Their accomplishments are unparalleled around here in a long time."

EDMESTON 1, MILFORD 0

8-Edmeston 1 0 — 1

1-Milford 0 0 — 0

Edmeston (13-4-1): Colin Bliss 1-0, Tony DeGristina 0-1.

Milford (16-1-2): None.

Shots-corners: E 11-4; M 7-5.

Goalies: Nick Benjamin (E) 3; Philip Schultes (M) 3 and Sean Huffstickler (M) 0.