Southampton Soccer Clinches First State Semifinal Spot With 4-1 Win

The Southampton boys soccer team advanced to the New York State Semifinals for the first time in program history on Saturday after defeating Livonia 4-1 at Geneseo High School. This result secures the Mariners a place in the Class B state tournament, a milestone that had eluded the school for five decades.

The victory was driven by a strong offensive display from two players. Senior Gonzalo Alvarez opened the scoring 10 minutes into the match following a cross from sophomore Lev Garcia. Junior Ulisses Lopez Silva then added two goals before halftime. He scored with two minutes remaining in the first half off an assist from sophomore Gianluca Basile, and struck again just one minute later to establish a 3-0 lead for Southampton.

Alvarez extended the lead in the 17th minute of the second half, bringing the score to 4-0. Livonia's Gavyn Phillips scored his 31st goal of the season to give the visitors a point, but the Mariners held on for the decisive win. Head coach Dave Riley credited the defensive unit for limiting the opposing attack, noting that players such as Max Mobius, James Garvin, and Ewen Le Guen allowed the team to focus on scoring.

This season marks the second year the state has implemented an at-large bid system, a rule that proved decisive for Southampton. The Mariners earned their initial at-large qualification with a double-overtime victory over Center Moriches in the county semifinals on October 27. Despite losing the Suffolk County championship to Babylon on October 30, the team remained in contention because Babylon chose to pursue the Long Island Championship title instead.

The path to the semifinals required extensive travel. In a span of four days, the team covered approximately 1,350 miles and spent roughly 24 hours on the road, including stops and traffic delays. They traveled to Windsor Central High School on November 4 to defeat Chenango Forks 2-1 in overtime, and then to Geneseo on Saturday for the quarterfinal victory over Livonia.

The players described the journey as exhausting but rewarding. Alvarez stated that the team acts as a family and is happy to play against different opponents in various locations. Lopez Silva called the achievement a once-in-a-lifetime experience, noting that the team is beginning to believe in its potential to reach new levels of performance.

The Southampton Fire Department provided a ceremonial welcome for the team upon their return to town after both recent victories. The bus arrived back in Southampton around 1 a.m. on Sunday following the trip from Geneseo. Riley said the reception from the fire department helped the players feel like an important part of the community.

The Mariners are scheduled to play Schuylerville at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, at Middletown High School's Faller Field. Schuylerville is from Section II in the Capital District. The other semifinal match will feature defending champion Westhill against Briarcliff, who defeated Babylon 3-1 on Saturday. The winners of those games will compete for the Class B state title on Sunday, November 15, at 10 a.m. on the same field.

Southampton joins Class AAA Baldwinsville and Class D Northville as the three at-large bids to reach the state semifinals. Riley emphasized that the team is gaining momentum and intends to control the factors within its power as it prepares for the upcoming weekend.