Elmira-Corning boys soccer 2024: Players to watch and teams at a glance

Corning's pursuit of a fifth consecutive sectional championship in boys soccer is among the stories to watch for the Elmira-Corning region during the 2024 season.

Competition in Class AAA will be stiffer with the addition of Ithaca to join Elmira and Corning. The Little Red won the Section 4 Class AA title last season with a 5-0 win over Vestal.

Class AA now includes Horseheads, Binghamton, Vestal and Union-Endicott.

The young season has already seen a significant milestone, with the only head coach in Express history, Derek Hamilton, reaching 150 victories combined at Elmira Free Academy and with the Express.

A capsule look at teams in the Elmira-Corning region. Note that not all coaches contacted submitted information.

Southern Tier Athletic Conference

Corning

Last year's record: 13-4.

Head coach: Chad Freelove (12th season).

Players to watch: Junior forward Taylor Freelove was a Southern Tier Athletic Conference West Division all-star last year and registered two three-goal games early this season. The other STAC West all-star back for the Hawks is senior midfielder Rohan Amin.

Class: AAA.

Elmira

Last year's record: 6-9-1.

Head coach: Derek Hamilton (20th season).

Players to watch: Elmira has only four seniors but returns 12 players. Junior Luca Capilli was a STAC Metro/West all-conference pick last season after leading the Express in assists and ranking second on the team in goals. Senior Spencer Wheeler is another offensive threat who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Union-Endicott that put Hamilton at 150 career wins. Kaelan Brenen-Buseck, a junior midfielder, is in his third varsity season. Five-year varsity player Anthony Kitching is a highly regarded defender coming off an injury-plagued junior season.

Coach's outlook: Hamilton said Elmira boasts quality and experience in its bid to get over the hump after losing in sectional finals the previous three seasons. He said Elmira has a number of scoring threats to go with one of the top defensive teams in the conference.

"The ninth and 10th graders a year ago are another year older and have played in a number of big matches, as well as a high level of club soccer with Soaring Capital Soccer Club," Hamilton said.

Class: AAA.

Horseheads

Last year's record: 9-4-1

Head coach: Mark Mucci (13th season as head coach, 19th with program)

Players to watch: Ben Church, a senior, is a four-year varsity starter, Binghamton University commit and comes off an all-state season. Elijah Friend is another four-year varsity starter who will play in college. Other impact players include senior goalie Gavin McInerney, sophomore forward Brayden Spier and junior midfielder Tommy Klee.

Coach's outlook: "We have a solid starting 11 with experience at all positions. We are looking to play sound defense and possess the ball. Our goal is to be better at the end of the season than when we started, and to compete for a Section 4 Class AA title and hopefully earn the right to compete at states."

Class: AA.

More: Section 4 boys soccer 2024: Results, top performers

More: Program spotlight: Powerhouse football team at Elmira emerged from Erie Bell rivalry

Interscholastic Athletic Conference

Elmira Notre Dame

Last year's record: 8-5-3.

Head coach: Josh Miller (third season).

Players to watch: Jackson Potter was a first-team IAC South Large School selection at goalie last season. Sebastian Capriotti already has a four-goal game this season. Gabe Patterson and Antonio Campanella have scored multiple goals in 2024.

Class: D.

Odessa-Montour

Last year's record: 1-8-1.

Head coach: Tanner Dupuy (first season).

Players to watch: Max Sgrecci, sophomore; Patrick Croft, senior; Drew Parmenter, senior.

Coach's outlook: "We are a team who has been struggling the last couple of years to find our rhythm and identity. This group is determined and has been putting in work outside of the season to prepare. We are looking to be a new-look O-M Grizzly team than years past in our attitude and playing style. Our key goals for this season are to compete with every team and win our Small School Division, which has not been done in over 10 years."

Class: C.

Watkins Glen

Last year's record: 7-6.

Head coach: Brad Smith (first season).

Players to watch: Seniors Liam Smith and Michael Purpura.

Coach's outlook: Smith is looking for his team to play with perseverance this season.

Class: C.

Follow Andrew Legare on Twitter: @SGAndrewLegare. You can also reach him at alegare@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: What to expect from boys soccer in the Elmira-Corning region in 2024