By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 6/4/15
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Ryan Winkoff tallied four goals and Matt Licciardi won 17 of 19 face-offs to spark Cold Spring Harbor to an easy 14-4 victory over Pleasantville Wednesday in the New York State Class C Semifinals at Middletown High.
Section VIII champ Cold Spring Harbor (18-1) will play Cazenovia in the state championship Saturday at 11am at Vestal High. Cazenovia (20-2), of Section III, defeated Penn Yan, 9-5.
“We wouldn’t be here without Matty Licciardi or our defense,” said Winkoff. “Without them we just can’t win. They make it easier for the offense. Our offense is peaking right now and our chemistry is peaking right now so it’s good.
“This year we wanted it more because we’ve been upset the last two years. That was probably the best game we played all year. I’m looking forward to playing Saturday.”
Cold Spring Harbor raced to a 3-0 lead and after Pleasantville got its first goal with2.9 seconds left in the first quarter the Seahawks went on a 5-0 run as Riley Cox and Colin Burke each tallied two goals.
“It has been such a long time since we have been back here, since 2006,” said Cold Spring Harbor head coach Dennis Bonn. “You almost don’t know what to expect. This is probably as good as we have played all year.
“This was an outstanding effort by everybody, especially Matt Licciardi at the face off X. It is such an advantage to start with that possession every single time. It was a pleasure to watch that today. There are two teams left standing maybe we win maybe we don’t, but we are there.”
Josh Della Puca tallied three goals for Pleasantville (19-2, Section 1 champ).
“Looks like we came out a little bit tight,” said Pleasantville head coach Chris Kear. “We were on our heels a little bit in the beginning. We gave up some easy goal especially in the first half.
“They were just a really talented team. They were better athletes then us, they were better on ground balls and they won almost every single face-off. That was pretty much the key to the game.”
Cold Spring Harbor 14, Pleasantville 4
CSH: 3-5-4-2-14
P: 1-0-2-1-4
CSH: Ryan Winkoff 4G; Matt Licciardi 2G, 1A; Riley Cox 2G; Colin Burke 2G; Ian Laviano 1G, 3A; Taylor Strough 1G, 1A; Mason Marion 1G; Thomas Paternoster 1G; Conner Crosson 1A
P: Josh Della Puca 3G; Bryan Arcidiacano 1G; Brian Reda 1A
Saves: Will Doyle (CSH) 5; Devin Burdo (CSH) 1; Oscar Marchi (P) 8