PHOTO GALLERY: Hornell – 2, LeRoy/Cal-Mum – 1
From Hornell High School Athletics, photos by JC’s Photography
The Hornell Red Raiders have officially cemented their place among the elite, winning their third consecutive – and fourth in five years – Section V Class B Title Saturday night at Honeoye Falls – Lima High School, defeating the #3 seeded LeRoy/Cal-Mum Rivals 2-1.
From the opening whistle, it was evident that Hornell was the team to beat. Coming into the game with a record of 16-0-2, the Red Raiders had yet to fall this season, and they had no intention of going home without the Sectional Block.
The Red Raiders got on the board early when senior star defender, Demayne Dixon put his team on the board just five minutes into the game with a rocket to the back of the net off a Wyatt Evingham assist. The early goal propelled the Raiders to keep the momentum swinging in their direction. Hornell controlled the half, but the score remained 1-0 going into the break.
The hard-fought battle continued into the second half with Hornell’s narrow lead until freshman, Anatole Colson connected with Junior, Aquiles Souza who scored his first goal of the season with just under 15 minutes left in the game. And what a goal it was!! Souza’s goal proved to be crucial because, less than a minute later, LeRoy/Cal-Mum’s Jack Currin scored for the Rivals.
As the mintues ticked down, the intensity of both teams built to a boiling point, but the Red Raiders held on to capture the title for the third consecutive year.
“I am so happy for our entire soccer family,” commented head coach Jim Tobin. “To defeat a talented team like LeRoy/Cal-Mum says a lot.”
The win certainly wasn’t smooth sailing for the Red Raiders. “We came into this game without our speaking captain, Nick Gray, who suffered a fractured ankle in the (semifinal) Livonia game. We had to reshuffle players, and it worked,” reflected Tobin.
“Demayne (Dixon) hit that long kick to put us up 1-0 early in the game. Then, Aquiles’ great shot, assisted by freshman Anatole Colson sealed the win for us.”
Tobin continued, “Wyatt (Evingham) was amazing tonight. He had to have been fouled 20 times or more. He kept his composure and was a constant threat in the game. He had offensive help from Aquiles and Jayden Rasephei. Our midfielders played as hard as I’ve ever seen them. Marco Picco and Gabe Rasephei gave everything they had, and Anatole & Trenton Vogel were also instrumental at midfield.
“Our defense answered the call while not having Nick at stopper. Cody Cardamone anchored the defense. Demayne Dixon showed that there aren’t many better than him in the back. Logan Weitzel and Ryan Harkenrider controlled the outsides, and once again, goalie Alfie Whiteley put on a great show.”
The work isn’t done for the Red Raiders. On Saturday, coach Tobin and his boys will travel to and take on the Section VI Lafayette Generals this Saturday at 2:30 pm at West Seneca West High School for the Far West Regional contest. Ticket and livestream information can be found by visiting https://sectionv.org/sports/2025/10/7/2025_NYSPHSAA_Class_B_Boys_Soccer_Bracket.aspx.
