Niagara Pioneer Renegades find success on pitch

The Niagara Pioneer Renegades under 15 boys soccer team advanced to the New York State West Soccer Association State Cup semifinals in Cortland. The Renegades will play Syracuse Development Academy in the State Cup semifinal on May 31.

The NPSL Renegades played three opponents to advance from their group stage of competition.

Their first match was a 2-2 draw against Clarence Inferno Black, who reached the final in the New York state cup tournament last year.

Tyler Birmingham opened the scoring five minutes into the match scoring on a header from a corner kick that was served in from John Wright. Clarence rallied back and erased a one-goal halftime deficit to take a 2-1 lead. Cody Larson saved a second-half penalty shot for the Renegades that proved pivotal in earning the draw. Wyatt Leardini scored the tying goal from 30 yards out after John Wright found him for his second assist of the match. Defenders Cole Hockenberry, Nathan Pearson, Evan Kutis, Dre Fowler, Liam Suitor and Luca De Biaso played very solid defensively in the draw.

The Renegades took the second match of group play comfortably, with a 5-0 win over Lakefront SC. John Wright scored the first four goals in the match. His first three goals were all assisted by Tyler Birmingham. John Wright also drew a penalty shot that was converted by Tyler Birmingham. Cody Larson saved a penalty shot, for the second time in two games, allowing the Renegades to maintain a 2-0 lead at the time.

The third match was played against Amherst Fury. The Renegades entered the match needing a win to advance to the state semifinals. They earned their second consecutive shutout with a 2-0 win. John Wright opened the scoring by drawing and converting a penalty shot 20 minutes into play. Ryan Mercer scored on a volley in the second half that was assisted by Cole Hockenberry.