The Penfield Rangers U16 soccer team kicked off their season with a first-place finish in the Amherst International Memorial Day Tournament.
In the championship game, the Rangers defeated the Clarence Rampage 1-0 on a header goal by Eric Mascadri. The team advanced to the final by finishing second in group play with a record of 1 win and 2 draws. The team opened with a 1-1 tie against last year's U15 champion from Pittsburgh, Hotspurs92. Mascadri provided the lone Rangers goal in that game as well, while teammate Matthew Springer nearly won the game when his volley from the edge of the penalty area hit the post. The team nearly came away with a win but their opponents scored in the final minute. In their second match the Rangers beat Clarence 3-1 on goals by John Leone (2) and Jason Regruit. Needing only a tie in their third match, the Rangers got just that in a scoreless draw with KenTon Celtic, to secure a spot in the final. Goalkeeper Andrew Dietrich made several superb saves to earn the shutout, and Leone nearly scored with a hard 25-yard shot that cleanly beat the keeper but hit the crossbar.
The Rangers defense was very strong in allowing just 2 goals during the entire tournament. Goalkeeper Dietrich was supported by outstanding play from defenders Cody Miller, Nick Markoulis and Thomas Braun.
Ranger midfielders Jason Regruit, Andrew Para, Ryan Hansen and Matt Ambrose did excellent work in helping the team control possession, which allowed the team to conserve energy in the warm playing conditions.
