Bees fall in states

Just three days after winning their second consecutive Section V Class B championship and the ninth in school history, Byron-Bergen's boy's soccer season ended with a 5-2 loss to Hornell in the state qualifying game held at PAETEC Park in a steady rain.

The Bees opened the game with a scoring chance in the 12th minute with Matt Flannery's long throw-in headed on goal by Andrew Sapienza, but saved by the Red Raider goalkeeper.

Hornell took a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute when a loose ball at the top of the box was kicked over the keeper's head by Bryan Canty. The Red Raiders made it 2-0 early in the second half, after having a goal disallowed on an offside, when Joe Pelych found the net in the 50th minute.

Byron-Bergen closed to within a goal just three minutes later on a goal by Louis Eysaman into the lower right corner off a scramble following Sean Crowe's corner kick.

Hornell then opened the game up with a pair of goals in three minutes by Canty to complete his hat trick.

The Bees got a late goal in the 78th minute off a scramble from a free kick by Justin Amesbury. "It was their night," said Byron-Bergen head coach Will Fitzpatrick." They got to play their style and we didn't get to play ours. My hat's off to them. We've had a great group this year and I don't know if we'll have another like this. I'm going to miss them terribly."

Byron-Bergen has won the sectional title in five of the past six seasons and entered the state play-in game having allowed just ten goals all season. In the Class B final, Ryan Woodward netted two goals and Joe Weiser one goal and one assist as the number one seeded Bees defeated second-seeded Wellsville 4-0. Alex Charcholla and Eysaman each added assists.

November 12, 2006