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RFH 2010, Cover Stories

Update: Knights to Face Northstar Christian in Final Four

Sat, Nov 13, 2010

Update: Knights to Face Northstar Christian in Final Four

The HCS Emerald Knights are heading back to the state Class D state championship Final Four once again.

They earned their trip to Middletown next Saturday by defeating South Korthright today 4-1.

Despite spotting the Rams a short-lived 1-0 lead early in the first half, HCS pulled everything together for an impressive win on a sunny and mild afternoon at the former National Soccer Hall of Fame complex in Oneonta. The defense regrouped and shut down the normally high-scoring South Kortright team. And, as they have done so many times this season, the Knights spread the ball around and got goals from four different players.

South Kortright scored at 26:28 on a header off of a corner kick.

But, it was only three minutes later that Drew Thompson scored the Knights' first goal.

Then it became hard to tell exactly when anyone scored because the scoreboard clock worked only intermittently.

But, regardless of the time, Dan Kraynak scored to make it 2-1 and as time appeared to run down in the first half, Thompson laid a crossing pass from the left side and Sam Owens levitated to head it past the Rams' goalie.

Sam Riley scored at 11:32 in the second half to slam the door shut on a Rams team that could not keep up with the much-faster Hamilton squad.

"What a great day for Hamilton athletics," said Coach Brian Latella, commenting both on his squad's regional title and the fact that HCS cross country runner Sage Hurta won the Class D girls championship this morning.

Latella said the Knights got off to a somewhat sluggish start, and had to play from behind for the first time this year.

As he did when the Knights won the Section III title, Latella praised the combination of Thompson and Kraynak working together to help drive the offense. And, as he did almost the entire season, Latella credited the defense with keeping another opponent on the ropes.He had special praise again for Same Hale and Sam Owens for controlling the midfield.

Hamilton soccer fans may have to set their alarms to "before dawn" Saturday. Latella said that HCS could wind up playing the early game at Middletown, the site of the final four. And, early means 8:45 a.m.

That game will be against Northstar Christian Academy of Rochester. They advanced to the semifinals by beating North Collins 1-0 on a goal scored with a minute left to play.

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