Mohonasen boys soccer caps perfect regular season with win at Voorheesville
VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- In 2022, the Mohonasen boys soccer team went just 2-14-1, and was eliminated in the opening round of the Class A sectional tournament. Fast forward two years, and the Warriors are headed for the postseason without a blemish on their record.
Mohon finished off an undefeated regular season Thursday, defeating Voorheesville, 3-1, to improve to 16-0 on the year and 12-0 in the Colonial Council. They'll likely draw the No. 2 seed in the Class AA tournament, and receive a first-round bye.
"I'm beyond proud of these kids," said head coach Riley Ford. "We're a fun team. We like to goof around. But when we step over the line, we're defensive; we're serious. Everything we do, we enjoy. We enjoy coming to practice; enjoy traveling; enjoy the away games, and we do it together. That's been important all year long."
What the Warriors have also enjoyed this season is a strong balance of offensive prowess and shutdown defensive play. In those 16 games, they've outscored opponents 61-7.
At the heart of the team's scoring success has been junior forward/midfielder Godfred Basigi. He recorded two of Mohon's three goals - all of which came in the first half - bringing his season total to a team-high 25. He also boasts 65 points.
"We've worked hard for this," said Basigi. "We're undefeated this year. We're good. We're like brothers; like family. We do everything together."
Mohon's first goal of the match came courtesy of junior right midfielder Jack Schoonmaker off a throw-in assist from Connor McCarthy. The Warriors maintained a 3-1 edge at halftime, and junior goalkeeper Hudson Frulla and the defense kept Voorheesville off the scoreboard for the remaining 40 minutes.
This is Ford's fourth season at the helm of the program. Mohon made its biggest leap under his leadership last year, posting a 12-6-1 campaign with a semifinal appearance in sectionals.
To watch his team grow from an overlooked Class A squad to a Class AA power in such a short period of time is a testament to the work his players have put in.
"A lot of them I've know since they were ninth and 10th graders," said Ford. "Everyone on the team has come a long way, and worked very hard to be here. These kids definitely deserve it, and I'm extremely proud of them."
Mohon will learn its sectional fate Monday. So too will Voorheesville, which will head for the Class B tournament with a record of 10-5, 7-4 in-league.