Chazy 2, Elizabethtown 1, 2 OT

Chazy barely escaped a huge upset in the sectional semifinals, tying the game with 43 seconds to play and then winning in overtime against Elizabethtown on November 3rd to advance to the Section VII championship game.

From the P-R: "Elizabethtown-Lewis put Chazy's season on the brink Wednesday night before the Eagles prevailed in dramatic fashion.
Brandon Laurin tied the game with 43 seconds left in regulation and Jordan Barriere won it in the second overtime as the top-ranked Eagles survived, 2-1, in the Section VII Class D boys' soccer semifinals.

Defending champion Chazy (17-1) will play Willsboro, a 7-2 winner over Johnsburg in Wednesday's other semifinal, in the Class D title game Saturday at Plattsburgh High School."

The Chazy Soccer Alumni Facebook page has detailed commentary of the exciting game:

"Chazy persevered versus a very stubborn Elizabethtown/Lewis squad to pull out a 2-1 Double OT victory tonight at George Brendler Field in Chazy.

The setting was classic, a clear, cold night. Two bitter rivals battling in unforgiving elements.

Before the game, Chazy fans received word that Nathan Reynolds, starting Sweeper and arguably the best defender in the Section, would not play due to illness. This caused a significant shuffle, but Coach McAuliffe played the right cards. E-Town had the better of the play for the first 25 minutes, although not producing any really good scoring chances. Chazy rebounded to make the first half evenly matched, as the scoreboard showed 0-0.

At the 20 minute mark of the second half, the Lions keeper made an amazing point blank save on a hard shot by Brandon Laurin. The Lions promptly took that momentum and notched the first score of the game at 21:28 of the second half.

E-town played physical and aggressive and that seemed to take Chazy off their game. The Lions keeper continued to make incredible game-saving stops as the clock ticked away. There was a hush among the Chazy faithful and jubilation among the E-town supporters as the clock dipped to less than 2 minutes to play... 1 minute to play... then with 43 seconds remaining in their season, Chazy's Brandon Laurin sent a low header into the side panel, and the game was tied! Devastation for the Lions and their fans.

The first OT finished scoreless with the respective keepers trading unbelievable saves. Chazy held much of the advantage in both OT sessions, and the game came to a close at 3:13 of the second OT. Jordan Barriere buried a shot from 18 yards out to send the Eagles to the Section 7 Final vs. Willsboro. Willsboro thrashed #2 seed Johnsburg 7-2 earlier in the day to advance. What an emotional roller coaster-- as ESPN would say, an Instant Classic."

The win was the 300th career victory for Eagles coach Rob McAuliffe. His record now stands at 300-23-8 in his 15 years as Chazy head coach.