2007 season recaps

CHAZY 3, PARISHVILLE HOPKINTON 0

Eagles defeat Parishville-Hopkinton to reach the quarterfinals.

Chazy advances in boys' soccer




By CRAIG KNOWLES
Staff Writer
Plattsburgh Press Republican, published November 07, 2007 12:15 am -


PLATTSBURGH -- Nolan Ryan added another chapter to his illustrious soccer career Tuesday night with a hat trick in Chazy's 3-0 victory over Parishville-Hopkington in a Boys' Class D regional soccer match at Plattsburgh High.

The game pitted the state's top-ranked Class D team in Chazy against the No. 3 team, Parishville-Hopkinton.

It was a match befitting a battle of two high-ranked teams with the P-H Panthers gaining an early edge as Chazy struggled in the first 10 minutes of play.

"We did not play well early," Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said. "They took it to us physically."

The Eagles took the play to the Panthers over the final 30 minutes of the half, creating several opportunities. Ryan had several free kicks outside the 18 and Jason Baker and Nathan Racine both got to the end-line several times to put crosses in front but none resulted on goals.

"We hoped to win possession early on," McAuliffe said. "We had the better play after 10 minutes, but they were very good defensively."

Late in the first half Chazy struck. Racine raced down the near side and hit a ball to the far post, where Ryan headed it down. The ball bounced in front of Panthers keeper Abe Baxter and into the net at 38:03.

"Great ball by Racine," McAuliffe said. "It was a huge lift and gave us confidence going into the second half."

The second half featured the emotions of the Parishville-Hopkinton players and the explosive play of Ryan.

Early in the second, Stetson Fields chipped a ball through the defense and Ryan carried it toward the far post and flicked it over Baxter at 6:03.

The defense for Chazy became more compact and put as many people as they could in front of the ball to prevent any type of scoring opportunity.

"We tried to remain compact and keep the play in front of us and make them take long shots from 18 yards out," McAuliffe said.

They were able to shut down the Panthers offense allowing only nine shots all night.

Ryan finished off his night when he picked up a ball just inside the 18-yard box and beat three Parishville defenders, ripping a ball far post at 25:44.

The game became a little more physical after the last goal.

"Both teams played hard physically and emotionally," McAuliffe said.

Jacob Beeman finished with nine saves in net for the Eagles. Baxter finished the night with 14 saves.

Chazy (21-1) will play Saturday against Section II class D winner Sharon Springs (9-9-2) at Colonie High School at a time to be announced later. Sharon Springs is ranked 13th in the state.

Chazy 3, Parishville-Hopkington 0

Chazy 1 2 -- 3

Parishville-Hopkington 0 0 -- 0

First half- 1, C, Ryan (Racine), 38:03.

Second half- 2, C, Ryan (Fields), 6:03. 3, C, Ryan, 25:44.

Shots: Chazy 22, Parishville-Hopkington 9.

Saves: Beeman, C, 9; Baxter, PH, 14.

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Boys' Class D Sectionals
Plattsburgh Press Republican, November 5, 2007:


Chazy (20-1) vs. Parishville-Hopkington (16-1-1)

at Plattsburgh High, 4 p.m.

(Winner to face Sharon Springs Saturday in Section II)

Last year: E'town-Lewis 2, Fort Ann 0

Quarterfinals: Colton-Pierrepont 2, E'town-Lewis 0

Semifinals: Colton-Pierrepont 0, Laurens 0 (C-P advances on PKs, 5-4)

State final: Colton-Pierrepont 1, S.S. Seward 0

The North Country regional for Class D boys has produced the last three state champions with Chazy winning in 2004 and '05 and Colton-Pierrepont capturing the title in 2006.

Chazy, the top-ranked team in the state, has a number of players still around from its last championship team, most notably Nolan Ryan, the state's career record-holder with 173 goals. Ryan also has 59 assists for 405 career points. Stetson Fields also has plenty of experience at the state level.

The Eagles lost their first game, 3-1, to PHS in the opener of their own tournament. Since then, Chazy has reeled off 20 straight victories.

Chazy earned the top seed in Section VII and proceeded to defeat Schroon Lake, 6-0; Willsboro, 7-0; and Elizabethtown-Lewis, 5-1, en route to the title. The win over E'town-Lewis avenged a 2-1 loss to the Lions in last year's Class D final.

Parishville-Hopkinton finished first in the East Division of the Northern Athletic Conference with a 10-1-1 record, but struggled somewhat in the postseason. The Panthers beat No. 9 seed Hermon DeKalb, 1-0; fifth seed Colton-Pierrepont, 3-1, in a shootout, and No. 2 seed Lisbon, 1-0.

Parishville-Hopkinton goalkeeper Abe Baxter has saved at a 95 percent rate while allowing just five goals.

The Panthers are led on offense by Bryant Wickwire, 13 goals and five assists, and Mark Norman, 12 goals and one assist.


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2007 Section VII Class D Final: Chazy vs. Elizabethtown


Defeat Elizabethtown-Lewis to capture Section VII Class D soccer crown.

Chazy boys gain revenge


By CRAIG KNOWLES
Staff Writer, Plattsburgh Press-Republican
Published November 04, 2007 12:46 am

PLATTSBURGH -- It was sweet revenge Saturday for the ChazyEagles as they defeated the defending champion Elizabethtown-Lewis Lions 5-1 to claim their eighth Section VII boys' soccer championship in 10 years and 16th in 30 years.

Nolan Ryan came up big in Chazy's most important game to date, scoring three goals and assisting on a fourth.

"As the games get bigger, he gets better," Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said.

The Eagles dominated play throughout the first half, continuously pounding eighth-grader Brock Marvin, the Lions' goalie.

Ryan netted his first of three goals after he was tripped in the box, forcing a penalty shot at 11:32. Ryan drilled the ball down the middle of the goal as Marvin guessed and dived right.

The next opportunity for Chazy came when a ball was played across from the end line. Marvin came out to make a play on the ball, but it bounced to Kenny Bulriss's foot and he hit it into an empty net at 19:50.

"We generated chances in the first 20 minutes and we capitalized on them," McAuliffe said.

The offense was not finished scoring as it added two more goals before the end of the first.

Ryan tallied the next goal with a rocket from the top corner of the 18 box on the ground to the far post. The ball nicked the post and went in past a diving keeper at 21:19.

--Anytime he has the ball on his foot there is a possibility he can score," McAuliffe said. "He is an offensive threat and knows he will have chances."

Stetson Fields added the last goal of the half as he received a throw-in from Ryan. Fields trapped the ball and blasted it past several defenders into the net at 23:53.

Ryan had another opportunity for his third in the half on a breakaway attempt, but a sliding Marvin prevented the chance.

The defense for the Eagles were huge in the first half. Chazy did not allow the Lions a shot until 38:30 into the first half. Perry Latremore, Kyle Reynolds, Kyle LaFountain, Gaelan Trombley and keeper Jacob Beeman all played strong on defense for the Eagles.

"They were very organized and kept themselves composed throughout," McAuliffe said of his defense. "They played so well."

The second half proved to be a different game.

Just as Chazy took advantage of the wind in the first half, Elizabethtown-Lewis played the long ball game with the wind.

The Lions pushed the ball up and dominated play throughout the second half, but could not score early to cut the lead.

Midway through the second half, Ryan received a ball from Bulriss at the top of the 18 and outraced two defenders and flicked the ball over the head of Elizabethtown's keeper who slid out to make a play, 23:32 into the second.

The Lions tallied their lone goal of the game when Zack Allott unleashed a monstrous throw-in into the box where it was touched on by Derrick Ratliff and hit home by Cortland Mowery at 25:39.

Marvin finished the night with four saves for the Lions and Beeman finished with four as well for the Eagles.

Chazy will play again Tuesday at Plattsburgh High against Section X Class D winner Parishville-Hopkinton at 4 p.m.

--

Chazy 5, Elizabethtown-Lewis 1

Chazy 4 1 -- 5

Elizabethtown-Lewis 0 1 -- 1

First half- 1, C, Ryan, PK, 11:32. 2, C, Bulriss, 19:50. 3, C, Ryan, 21:19. 4, C, Fields (Ryan), 23:53.

Second half- 5, C, Ryan (Bulriss), 23:32. 6, EL, Mowery (Ratliff), 25:39.

Shots: Chazy 20, Elizabethtown-Lewis 10.

Saves: Beeman, C, 4; Marvin, EL, 4.



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Section VII Championship Preview:


(Plattsburgh Press Republican, Published November 03, 2007)


Chazy, E'town-Lewis to battle for boys, girls Class D soccer titles today.

Eagles, Lions out in force



PLATTSBURGH -- Elizabethtown-Lewis and Chazy return today to the scene of one of the biggest stories in the annals of Section VII soccer.

The Lions (12-5-1) and Eagles (20-1) will converge on Plattsburgh High for a 4 p.m. face-off in the Section VII Class D boys' soccer final. It will be followed by the girls' Class D championship, also pitting Elizabethtown-Lewis and Chazy at 6 p.m.

Last year at PHS, the title-hungry Lions ambushed Chazy, snapping the Eagles' 54-game winning streak while ending their two-year state reign in the process. With Josh Mowery scoring twice in an eight-minute span midway through the second half, Elizabethtown-Lewis rallied to defeat Chazy, 2-1, and claim its first Section VII boys' title since 1988.

It's no surprise that the two are back in 2007, looking to once again settle the title issue. But Chazy rates the edge in this meeting. Since dropping their season opener to Class B champion Plattsburgh High, 3-1, on Aug. 31, the Eagles have rattled off 20 straight victories, including lopsided wins over Schroon Lake (6-0) and Willsboro (7-0) in the sectionals.

The Lions, on the other hand, have lived a charmed life of late. They almost didn't make it out of the quarterfinal round, needing a shootout to beat back Westport. It was their third straight overtime contest.

Elizabethtown-Lewis might have gotten back on track Tuesday with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Indian Lake/Long Lake in the semifinals.

In their two regular-season meetings, Chazy won 2-0 and 5-1.

Nolan Ryan, Stetson Fields, Kenny Bulriss, Jason Baker and Ben Baker lead the Chazy attack, while Jacob Beeman has been in goal. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 104-11.

Jake Hooper, Michael Gowdy and Steven Plank pace the Elizabethtown-Lewis offense with Brock Marvin in goal.

Chazy girls seek 3rd in row

The Chazy girls (20-1) will be looking for their third consecutive Section VII Class D championship today and 10th since 1994. Elizabethtown-Lewis (16-3) has not won a sectional title since 1987.

The Lions did manage to hand the Eagles their only loss this fall, a 1-0 setback on Sept. 27. But the Eagles retaliated with 4-0 and 5-0 victories in mid-October.

Victoria Reynolds, the area' sleading scorer in girls' soccer, is just one of many weapons in the Chazy arsenal. Astrid Kempainen, Morgan Roussy, Shauni Trombly and Madelaine Guay all have 30 or more points this season. K.C. Olds comes into tonight's title test as the shutout leader with 16.

Kelsey Gibson, Courtney Marvin and Kylie Rock spark the Elizabethtown-Lewis offense, while Riley Diemand has been solid in goal for the Lions with 12 shutouts.

The Lions were taken to a shootout by Willsboro in the semis, while Chazy dumped Bolton 4-0.



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Post-Star soccer blog:
Matt Middleton - middleton@poststar.com

Section VII, Class D
Top seeds: Chazy, Johnsburg, Elizabethtown, Bolton

Idle thought: Is this the first year the Section VII committee actually rewarded the South Division by giving its champion what it deserves – the No. 2 seed?

Lower-seeded surprise: Indian Lake finished strong and owns some quality results. Not a walkover opening opponent.

Fast fact: Johnsburg lost to Chazy 12-0 earlier in the year, then charged back to fall just 1-0 in the MVAC final. We believe this represents the biggest positive turnaround since actor Jeremy Piven debuted in something called “Lucas” then made his career as smug, preening, bombastic super-agent Ari Gold on HBO’s fabulous “Entourage.”

Predicted final: Chazy vs. Elizabethtown

Predicted champion: Chazy

Why: Forget last year. If you had to bet whether or not the sun would rise tomorrow, what would you do?


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Next opponent: Elizabethtown, Section VII Finals

(Plattsburgh Press Republican, 10/31/07)

ELIZABETHTOWN -- After three straight overtime games, Tuesday's semifinal skirmish that ended in regulation must have been a breeze for the Elizabethtown-Lewis Lions.

Elizabethtown-Lewis, extended to a shootout by Westport last Friday, defeated Indian Lake/Long Lake 4-0 to reach the championship game for Class D in the Section VII boys' soccer tournament. The Lions, the reigning champs, will take on their old nemeses, the Chazy Eagles, Saturday at 4 p.m. at Plattsburgh High School in the title game.

The Lions (12-5-2) had become pretty adept at dodging bullets of late, scoring in the last few minutes to tie Schroon Lake in the regular-season finale and then beating Bolton, 2-1, in overtime in a pre-sectional warmup. If there were any strong hearts left, they were surely tested in the quarterfinal with Westport that went through 110 minutes of scoreless soccer and a 5-5 shootout before sophomore Andrew Kerr put an end to the marathon in the sudden-victory shootout.

For one half Tuesday, it looked as if Elizabethtown-Lewis was content to continue its string of overtime games. The Lions had to settle for a scoreless stalemate at intermission.

"We needed to be more patient," Elizabethtown-Lewis Coach Paul Buehler said. "We had to continue to force the play and control the midfield so were weren't playing long ball."

Indian Lake/Long Lake (11-5-1) also did what it could to frustrate the Lions.

Buehler and the Lions regrouped at halftime. "We needed to move the ball around the midfield more, rather than it bang from 40 yards out. Instead, we had to penetrate with the dribble because their defense was solid," Buehler added. Jake Hooper finally broke through 5:30 into the second half, off a nice feed from Taylor Cassavaugh. Hooper collected the ball at midfield, beat three defenders and the keeper with something left to find the net. E'town-Lewis clinged to its one-goal lead past the midway point and then took command with three goals in the last 13 minutes of play. Michael Gowdy jumped on the ball 30 yards out and beat three defenders to score at 27 minutes.

Cassavaugh made it 3-0 at 30:18, taking a long throw-in through the box from Derrick Ratliff. Gowdy then tallied another unassisted score at 31:32 to complete the scoring.
Elizabethtown-Lewis held a 22-10 advantage in shots with Brock Marvin making 11 saves for the shutout. Alex Smith had 17 stops for the Lakers.


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2007 Section VII Class D Semifinals:

Chazy 7, Willsboro 0

(Plattsburgh Press-Republican, 10/31/07)

CHAZY -- Nolan Ryan led Chazy past Willsboro with two goals and four assists to put the Eagles in the championship game.

Ryan assisted or scored six of the seven goals for Chazy and was a presence on the field.

"He brought the intensity he always brings to the field," Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said. "It's Nolan being Nolan."
Ryan's night started early just 4:12 into the first half he netted a goal on a ball served up by Kyle Reynolds that he volleyed to the far post over Warriors keeper Kyle Russell.

"We wanted to set the tone early and finish the chances we got," McAuliffe said.

The Eagles struck again when Ryan hit a direct kick on the outside of his foot curved it into the box where Stetson Fields headed the ball in 5:10 into the first.

Kenny Bulriss scored the next goal when Ryan laid a ball to Bulriss, who beat two defenders and rocketed a shot to the far post at 6:51.

Ryan got the next Chazy goal on another volley into the back of the net assisted by Ben Baker at 7:21.

Jason Baker scored the final goal of the first half when Gaelan Trombley slipped a pass between two defenders were Jason picked the ball up and went one on one with the keeper and blasted it in at 12:49.

"First 15 minutes we played well, attacking and scoring early," McAuliffe said. "It took the pressure off."

Early in the second half it was all Reynolds and Ryan as they hooked up twice for two early scores.

Reynolds scored 2:19 into the second half as he headed a ball in on a Ryan assist.

Six minutes later, Ryan heel-passed to the top of the box and Reynolds picked up the ball, beat three defenders sending a shot to the far post as he was pushed down at 8:21.

"Willsboro never gave up and kept playing hard to the end," McAuliffe said.

The Warriors had several opportunities late in the second half.

Russell had a strong game in net for the Warriors with eight saves. Jacob Beeman had five saves for the Eagles.


Chazy 5 2 -- 7
Willsboro 0 0 -- 0

First half- 1, C, Ryan (Reynolds), 4:12. 2, C, Fields (Ryan), 5:10. 3, C, Borris (Ryan), 6:51. 4, C, Ryan (B. Baker), 7:21. 5, C, J. Baker (Trombley).

Second half- 6, C, Reynolds (Ryan), 2:19. 7, C, Reynolds (Ryan), 8:21.

Shots: Chazy 18, Willsboro 7.

Saves: Beaman, C, 5; Russell, W, 8.


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Johnsburg plays well, but loses
(Published Sunday, October 21, 2007, Glens Falls Post Star)


CHAZY -- Johnsburg gave the state's top-ranked Class D team all it could handle before falling in the Mountain and Valley Athletic Conference boys soccer championship game on Saturday.

Stetson Fields scored the game's lone goal at 27:51 of the first half off a feed from Nolan Ryan, giving Chazy a 1-0 victory.

Dustin Greco had an outstanding game for the Jaguars in goal, turning back 18 shots.

Johnsburg (12-4) 0 0 -- 0


Chazy (17-1) 1 0 -- 1

Goals-Assists

Chazy -- Fields 1-0, Ryan 0-1.





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Eagles edge Johnsburg to claim MVAC boys' soccer crown.

Chazy boys win close one


By CRAIG KNOWLES
Staff writer, Plattsburgh Press Republican.
Published October 21, 2007

CHAZY -- Chazy defeated Johnsburg 1-0, in a tough battle Saturday to win the Mountain and Valley Conference crown in boys' soccer.

It was a tough and physical match throughout. The Eagles dominated play and possessed the ball throughout, but were unable to find the back of the net more than once.

Chazy's lone goal came on as the result of a free kick by Nolan Ryan, who placed the ball into the box, and was finished off by Stetson Fields at 27:51 into the first half.

"We didn't play the best," Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said. "Johnsburg came out with a lot of emotion and heart."

Ryan suffered an ankle injury during the contest, but played through it and finished out the game.

"Nolan getting hurt slowed us down," McAuliffe said.

The offense struggled afterward, but had numerous opportunities; Chazy outshot Johnsburg 30-2. Jaguars' keeper Dustin Greco came up with 18 saves on the night.

"They (Johnsburg) proved they should be here tonight," McAuliffe said.

The defense for Chazy played hard all game, allowing only two shots from the fast attack of the Jaguar forwards.
Chazy keeper Jacob Beeman made one save.

"The guys in the back played well," McAuliffe said. "But we just could not get that second goal."

Chazy 1, Johnsburg 0

Chazy 1 0 -- 1

Johnsburg 0 0 -- 0

First half- 1, C, Fields (Ryan), 27:51.


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Chazy boys score five early goals and beat Westport in Mountain & Valley Athletic Conference soccer.

Chazy jumps out to early lead


(Published October 11, 2007, Plattsburgh Press Republican)


WESTPORT -- The Chazy boys' soccer team scored five goals in the first 14 minutes of the game Wednesday and secured at least a tie for the Northern Division championship with a 7-1 win over Westport in Mountain & Valley Athletic Conference play.

Chazy (14-1, 10-0), undefeated in the league, has two divisional games remaining and can wrap up the title Friday night at home against rival Elizabethtown-Lewis, which has two losses in league play. Chazy finishes with Keene next Monday.

Nolan Ryan continued his scoring parade with three goals and an assist to lead Chazy.

Stetson Fields also had a big night with a goal and three assists. Jason Baker, Ben Baker and Kenny Bulriss each chipped in with a goal.

Chris Vliege, who filled in for an injured Jacob Beeman, made one save to earn the win.

Zach Sherman scored for Westport, with Nathan Gay assisting. Colin MacIver made 10 saves in a busy day in net for Westport.

Chazy 7, Westport 1

Chazy 5 2 -- 7

Westport0 1 -- 1

First half- 1, C, Ryan (Fields), 3:17. 2, C, J. Baker (Ryan), 3:47. 3, C, Fields, 9:13. 4, C, Ryan (Fields), 11:47. 5, C, Ryan (Fields), 13:56.

Second half- 6, C, B. Baker (Bulriss), 5:49. 7, C, Bulriss (LaFountain), 8:59. 8, West, Sherman (Gay), 21:37.

Shots: Chazy 17, Westport 7.

Saves: Vliege, C, 1. MacIver, West, 10.


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Nolan Ryan scores 3 goals to lead Chazy past Ogdensburg in boys' soccer.

Ryan's Express powers Chazy


(Published September 23, 2007, Plattsburgh Press Republican)


CHAZY -- Chazy's Nolan Ryan has attracted plenty of interest this season, mostly from opposing defenses determined to shut down the high-scoring senior.

But Saturday, Ryan broke loose for three goals to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 victory over visiting Ogdensburg Free Academy in a non-conference boys' soccer match.

The scoring outburst moved Ryan closer to the state record for career goals, giving him 146. He is only six off the mark of 152 set by Chittenango's Jeff Knittle, who played from 1990-94.

Kenny Bulriss set up the first goal, at 22:20 into the game, and Stetson Fields assisted on the next two, at 16:58 and 30:11 of the second half.

Ryan and Fields were key players in the Chazy's back-to-back state championship seasons of 2004 and '05 and the two hope to lead the Eagles back to the state tournament this fall.

"When they're playing well, it generates a lot of opportunities for us," Chazy Coach Rob McAuliffe said. "We possessed the ball a lot of the time today, but we did have a little trouble finishing."

Chazy (8-1, 5-0) outshot Ogdensburg 29-5 and had the Blue Devils (4-2) blanked until Nick Wallace scored with 6:57 to play.

"I thought Kyle LaFountain and Kyle Reynolds played well for us in the back," McAuliffe added.

"It was a good win for us and a big week (3-0). To finish it off with a win over a team like Ogdensburg (a Class A school) is really nice."

Chazy 3, Ogdensburg 1

Ogdensburg 0 1-- 1

Chazy 1 2--3

First half- 1, Ch, Ryan (Bulriss), 22:20.

Second half- 2, Ch, Ryan (Fields), 16:58. 3, Ch, Ryan (Fields), 30:11. 4, OFA, Wallace (Whitcomb), 6:57.

Shots: Chazy, 29; Ogdensburg, 5.
Saves: Beeman, Ch, 3; OFA- Luckie (7 saves, 1 goal); Merna (12 saves, 2 goals)

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Nolan Ryan Breaks NY State scoring record:
(Plattsburgh Press Republican)

CHAZY -- Chazy's Nolan Ryan wasted no time in setting a new career scoring record in New York State high-school boys' soccer.

Ryan scored just 14:55 into Saturday's contest and went on to add two more as the Eagles beat the Keene Beavers 4-0 in Mountain and Valley Athletic Conference boys' soccer.

Ryan's historic goal came after he beat three Beavers defenders and rolled the ball into the side netting, giving him 153 for his five-year career. Ryan passed Jeff Knittle of Chittenango who set the record of 152 in 1994.

The crowd celebrated his achievement by releasing green and white balloons.

"Nolan is a once-in-a-career player," Eagles Coach Rob McAuliffe said.

A humble Ryan played down his success and expressed his gratitude to his teammates, coaches and community.

"It feels good, but I couldn't do it without a great team and teammates," Ryan said. "I have the support of my team and the community."

Ryan has been playing varsity soccer since the eighth grade. He has been a member of two state championship teams and would like to cap off his brilliant career with another Class D crown.

"I don't know where I will end up with goals," Ryan said. "I just take each game one at a time."

"He is a special player and a great kid," McAuliffe added. "He has played with some great players -- Corey Lewis and Justin Seymour -- and we were lucky enough to have him."

Ryan is looking to play for either St. Lawrence, SUNY Oneonta or SUNY Plattsburgh next year.




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