Schalmont boys soccer concludes historic season with state runner-up finish

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schalmont boys soccer team reached heights this year no other team in program history had before.

While their unprecedented season came to a disappointing end Sunday - losing 2-0 to Section VIII's Floral Park Memorial in the Class A state championship game - that didn't take away from the remarkable journey the Sabres went on to reach that point.

"It's the most proud I've ever been of a team," said head coach Vito Urbano. "I get upset because win or lose, it would've been the last game with this group, and they mean a lot to me. I've coached some of these kids [since] they were 10 years old. It's just unbelievable to be in this spot."

Schalmont's appearance in the Class A final was the program's first-ever, and their path to Middletown was a roller coaster.

The Sabres almost didn't even make it out of Section II; they had to overcome a late, 1-0 deficit in the sectional championship game against Ichabod Crane, and ultimately prevailed, 2-1, in double overtime.

The nail-biters persisted in the state tournament. After taking down New Hartford in regionals, 2-1, in another double-OT thriller, Schalmont battled past the top-ranked team in the state for Class A, Brockport, in Saturday's state semifinal match. Aiden Lawrence netted the game-winner in, you guessed it, overtime again (single OT this time) to punch his team's ticket to the championship game.

But the Sabres' magic ran out against a Floral Park Memorial team that dominated from the start. The Knights racked up seven corner kicks in the first half to Schalmont's one, and outshot the Sabres 6-0.

On Floral Park's fourth corner kick, Michael Chery got free backside for a header, and netted the go-ahead goal at the 23:17 mark of the half.

Schalmont battled in the second half, but only mustered two shots on goal. Floral Park's Charles McCarren put the game away in the 61st minute, beating Sabers goalkeeper Aidan Cleveland for a key insurance goal.

Despite the loss, Schalmont is headed home with a state runner-up plaque and medals to commemorate a first-of-its-kind season.

"I try to remind them that no other boys soccer player from Schalmont gets to wear this medal," said Urbano. "It's not the medal we wanted, but I can't say enough about their effort throughout the season."

Schalmont concludes the 2024 campaign with a sterling overall record of 21-2.