Somers High School Tuskers Are Champions in Soccer, Steller in Other Sports

Last weekend, Somers High School scored big, winning titles on three of the Tuskers sports teams. The Boys Varsity Soccer Team are the New York State Champions, the Varsity Football Team won a regional playoff game, and Boys Varsity Cross Country ranked 3rd in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships.

SHS's Boys Varsity Soccer Team had 14 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tied games this season. According to Lohud, SHS sophomore Jon Riina scored the double overtime winning goal (2-1) against Grand Island Senior High School, at Middletown High School on Sunday November 13th. This was also the first time former (SHS '07 alum) soccer Tusker and my friend, Brian Lanzetta, coached the team. On his Facebook page, he wrote:

MY family and friends thank you for all your support. I am so proud of the boys! And so proud to be a part of this great community town ! Somers Tuskers Soccer 2016 NY State Champions. A dream come true.

So far, SHS' Varsity Football Team won 10 games, and lost one to Yorktown Heights in September, but broke Yorktown Heights' winning streak (42-6) Saturday November 5th. Their next game is Friday, November 18 at Kingston Stadium against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake of the Albany region, and possibly November 25th in Syracuse. SHS' Dean of Students, Anthony DeMatteo has coached the football team since 2000, and remains committed especially after improvement this season. In an article at tapinto.net DeMatteo had this to say about his team:

If we were at the North Pole at the first Yorktown game then we are now at the South Pole. This is a different football team and it all comes from how they practice.

On Saturday November 12th, SHS' Boys Varsity Cross Country raced at Chenango Valley State Park. The results of Somers runners' are posted here. According to TapIntoNet, current coach and SHS '05 alum Mike Lacko was the only cross country runner to bring home a state title since 2004. Mike has become very close with his team and is proud of the boys' efforts:

The team left it all out there on Saturday. I was very happy with how they all ran. Class B in New York State is very hard and to be third and miss second by four points is amazing. We would like to have won but everyone did their best and that’s what matters most. I am so proud of this team and how much we fought this year.

Way to go Tuskers! Congratulations Somers High School's Athletic Department on your achievements this season.