The Cincinnatus girls soccer team is in a very familiar spot against unfamiliar competition, with the Lions competing in a Class C state semifinal at noon Saturday at Homer High School against Section II champion Stillwater.
Cincinnatus (21-0) is ranked No. 3 in the state’s Class C poll and Stillwater (18-1-1) holds the top spot.
The Lions have been a dominant postseason team, beating Stockbridge Valley, Frankfort-Schuyler, Tully, Bishop Ludden and Section IV champion Elmira Notre Dame by a combined score of 26-2. Cincinnatus has outscored opponents 141-5 this season.
Stillwater was the top seed in the Section II bracket and defeated No. 8 Maple Hill 6-1, No. 4 Schoharie 2-0, No. 3 Lake George 2-0 and Section X champion Lisbon 1-0 to make the state semifinals. The Warriors’ only loss came to Section II Class B champion Mechanicville and their draw was with Section I Class B champion Bronxville.
Cincinnatus head coach Lisa Sustad and the team has done its homework on the Class C powerhouse and feels confident in its ability to win the big game.
“We’ve been watching film and we noticed that they possess and play more of the same style that we play, which is a different take on the game,” Sustad said. “We’re excited to play them.”
“We’ve done some research and we know who to look at and be aware of, but honestly I think overall we are a good team and there’s not much to be nervous about,” star senior Cassia Schuyler said. “We’ve just got to go out and play.”
Cincinnatus has proven it steps up when the lights are brightest in recent years and is excited to play in a stacked Class C final four. The Lions are hoping its more competitive than last season’s Class D state tournament, where they outscored opponents 9-0.
“We’re super excited because the close games are nail-biters and they are more nerve-wracking, but it feels like that much more of a win when you have to work for it and have to earn it,” senior midfielder Ava Larrabee said. “We love it when we have a challenge and Stillwater’s a great team, so we’re excited to play them.”
The Lions have a strong senior class with Schuyler, Larrabee, midfielder Mandi Waltz, back Kaedance Latta and goalkeeper Sidney Glover. That group has been to the state final four twice already and wants to win back-to-back state championships.
“It’s the last two games our seniors will ever play, so we just want to go out with a bang,” Larrabee said.
If Cincinnatus wins, it will face the winner of Section IX champion Burke Catholic and Section V champion Byron-Bergen. That game will be before the Cincinnatus-Stillwater game at Homer, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The state title game will be at noon Sunday at SUNY Cortland.
Larrabee feels Cincinnatus needs to stick to the basics and not take things too seriously if it will reach the mountain top –– again.
“We just need to keep the ball on the ground, moving and finding feet,” Larrabee said. “Most of all, if we keep the smiles on our faces and have fun with it I think we’ll be successful. When we have fun we play the best.”
