Spencerport scored three goals in the second half to open up their 1-0 halftime lead in a 4-0 shutout of Gates Chili in the boys soccer opener for both teams.
Using a tactical passing-ball control offense along with aggressive ball pursuit on defense, the Rangers got on the board just 7:08 into the contest when senior captain Conolly served a pass from midfield to David DeBellis, who turned and fired his shot off the goalkeeper’s hands and into the net. It marked the first varsity goal for the three-year varsity senior.
Late in the first half Gates Chili, who had trouble maintaining possession in the offensive zone most of the game, managed a quick breakout, but a shot by Jeremy Casiano was stopped by Rangers keeper Connor MacKenzie.
“We got away from our style of game a bit late in the first half, but the last half of the game we started getting back to it,” Jake Hutton said.
Spencerport made it 2-0 in the 44th minute on a direct kick from 22 yards out after Hutton was taken down. Senior Dan Reger had his shot deflect in off a leg in the wall for his first goal of the season.
The Spartans had another breakaway attempt broken up by a back-checking Conolly in the 52nd minute and the Rangers dominated play the rest of the way.
Joe Riggio volleyed a pass to Hutton, whose header was knocked away on a diving save in the 56th minute.
Sophomore Joe Curtis made it 3-0 Rangers converting after Victor Pascucci headed a pass to the right side of the box.
And, with eight minutes remaining, senior Mike Caceci celebrated his birthday in grand fashion taking a back pass off the end line from Josh Gillette and banking it in the net off the goal post for the fourth and final tally.
“I really wanted to score today and it’s awesome to score,” Caceci said. “But I’m really more happy with the win.”
MacKenzie and senior Matt Kegler, who came on for the final seven minutes, combined for the shutout in goal.
The Rangers look strong with 16 seniors on this year’s team after falling to Churchville-Chili in the Section V quarterfinals a year ago.
“We really don’t know what we have yet,” Rangers head coach Tom Etsler said. “(Greece) Athena is going to be quite a battle and Churchville lost some guys, but will still be tough again.”
This year’s captains are Conolly, senior Spenser Doty and MacKenzie.
