Mount Academy will play for state crown
Eagles earn shot at championship with 6-0 win over South Kortright Central
For the first time in three years, Mount Academy is back in the championship game of the state Class D boys soccer tournament.
The Eagles advanced with a 6-0 handling of South Kortright Central in a semifinal at Middletown’s Faller Field on Saturday. Mount Academy (15-2-1) plays No. 1-ranked Chazy (191) of Section 7 for the state title at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Mount reached the state finals in 2014, losing in overtime to International Prep-Grover Cleveland.
Thomas Huleatt had two goals and an assist, and Tim Cavanna, Judah Ben-Eliezer, Seth Thompson and Aaron Waldner also scored to lead the Eagles. Connor Huleatt dished out a pair of assists, while Peter Zimmerman distributed one.
The Mount dominated play with its pressure. It took control immediately as Cavanna banged in a rebound five minutes into the match. Ben-Eliezer made it 2-0 on a breakaway midway through the first half. Thomas Huleatt got his first goal off a rebound with 1:18 left before halftime.
“The boys brought their signature ball pressure and immediate chase today,” Mount Academy coach Tom Huleatt said. “We were relentless and passed the ball well.”
South Kortright double- and triple-teamed the dribbler in the second half, but that proved fruitless.
Thompson worked his way through three defenders to score three minutes into the second half. Thomas Huleatt sliced through two defenders to launch a 15-yard shot to make it 5-0 nine minutes into the period.
Waldner capped the scoring with eight minutes remaining.
South Kortright was 19-1 coming into the contest.
Stuart Boller made six saves in goal to earn the shutout for Mount Academy. South Kortright keeper Quinlan Davis also had six saves.
“All glory to God we have made it this far,” Tom Huleatt said. “The team is in great spirits and ready to leave it all on the field one more time. Chazy is certainly a worthy opponent. We look forward to giving it our best shot and try to bring home a championship for Ulster County and Section 9.”