Eagles defeat Poland for third state soccer title in four years.

Chazy boys on top again
Eagles claim 3rd state title in 4 years on Stetson Fields' goal

By JOHN CORYER
Plattsburgh Press Republican Staff Writer
Published November 19, 2007 01:15 am

ONEONTA -- Chazy boys' soccer coach Rob McAuliffe felt his team was due for a big performance.

He was right.

The Eagles captured their third NYSPHSAA Class D championship in the last four years Sunday afternoon, turning in a strong effort in the 1-0 victory over Poland at the Oneonta Soccer Hall of Fame Field.

"We didn't play the way we can last week against Sharon Springs and didn't play as well as we can yesterday against Smithtown Christian," McAuliffe said. "I felt we were due to play well."

"We went back to the basics today and did all the little things it takes. And, we were able to do it against a very good team."

Junior Stetson Fields, who scored both Eagles' goals in Saturday's 2-1 overtime victory over Smithtown Christian, proved to be the difference maker once again.

Fields' goal with 31:11 gone in the second half sent the Eagles on their way.

"Stetson had one of the best finishes I've ever seen at this level," McAuliffe said. "He came up big for us in both games this weekend."

The game-winning play started out when Fields took a thru ball from Jason Baker. Then from the left side of the net inside the 18, the junior sent a superb shot into the side netting on the far side.

Poland keeper Justin Weakley had no chance to make the save on the shot.

"I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could and put it in the net," Fields said. "I did it for the team and wanted to make our seniors happy.

"They (Poland) were a good team and they worked hard. But, we started to hold the possession and were doing our own thing."

Section III-champion Poland was coming off a solid 2-0 victory over Section V's Fillmore the day before and had the size to give the Eagles problems.

In addition, the Tornadoes were looking for some revenge after dropping a 3-0 decision to the Eagles in the 2005 state title contest.

But, Chazy finished with a 14-2 advantage in shots on goal and keeper Jacob Beeman was credited with just one save while recording the shutout.

Chazy held an edge in play over the first 40 minutes, but began to apply even more pressure on the Tornadoes in the second half.

Even after scoring the goal, the Eagles were able to bottle up Poland in their own end for much of the time.

"We had a couple of chances in the first half we probably should have finished on," McAuliffe said.

It was a fitting end to the careers of the seniors on the Chazy team.

"It feels good to get it over with," said Eagles' record-setting scorer Nolan Ryan, who was banged up pretty good over the weekend as Chazy's two opponents keyed on the senior. "I wanted to end my career on a good note."

"I don't care about the stats -- I wanted to win another state championship. That's all I was thinking about. The team really came together. A lot of people didn't think we could do it this year. But, the harder the game, the better we play."

"Nolan is a wonderful player who has made a lot of big plays for us throughout his career," McAuliffe said. "He's a special player."

"But, I've said all along this year that we have other people who can step up and do the job. We lost some seniors from last year, but I knew this team was capable of beating anyone in the state when we played our game. And, we were definitely able to go out and prove it today."

"Our (Chazy) community deserves a lot of credit for their great support. It's something special when both the boys' and girls' team can win state championships in the same season."

--

Chazy 1, Poland 0

Poland 0 0 -- 0

Chazy 0 1 -- 1

Second half- 1, C, Fields (J. Baker), 31:11.

Shots: Chazy 14, Poland 2.