SOUTHERN TIER SPORTS REPORT: WHEELER, CHURCH, FREELOVE HEADLINE ALL-STSR MAJOR AWARD WINNERS (2024-12-03)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
The season is a wrap for area soccer teams, and now it’s time to recognize the region’s best.

Elmira, Corning and Horseheads all had major award winners for the All-Southern Tier Sports Report all-star team.

Spencer Wheeler of Elmira is the player of the year, Corning’s Taylor Freelove is the offensive player of the year, while Ben Church of Horseheads is defensive player of the year.

Sean Hanrahan of Elmira is the newcomer of the year and Derek Hamilton of Elmira is the coach of the year.

The Terrific 12 first team includes Wheeler, Freelove, Church and Corning’s Rohan Amin, Alex Large and Seaver Nellis.

Elmira’s Anthony Kitching and Luca Capilli and Notre Dame’s Finn Schweizer and Jackson Potter are on the first team with Horseheads’ Elijah Friend and Gavin McInerney.

The second team includes Corning’s Matthew McKendrick, Landyn Proudfoot, Casey Robbins, Grayson Timmons and Charlie Warner.

Kaelan Brenen-Buseck of Elmira and teammates Chase Christian, Dom Capilli, Brody Hamilton, Riley O’Herron and Hanrahan are on the second team with Horseheads’ Dominic Higgs, Coleton Owen and Tristan Quanz and Notre Dame’s Gabriel Patterson, Anthony Barkley and Sebastian Capriotti.

The rookie team includes Hanarhan, Corning’s James Goodman and Ben Hufnagel and Elmira’s Chase Smith and Nolan Kennedy and Brayden Spier of Horseheads.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Spencer Wheeler, Elmira:
* Spencer notched 20 goals and 4 assists for the NYS Section IV, Class AAA Champion Elmira Express.  His damage to the opposition was done consistently as the scored in 14 of the Express' 18 matches on the season including all three post-season matches (Corning, Ithaca, Scarsdale). Six of his goals were match winners for an Elmira team that typically played in close matches.  Spencer was named to the NYS, Section IV, Large School All-Region and All-State teams and the STAC All-Conference team this season as a senior.  Spencer led the Express in goals and points en route to a STAC West high 12 wins. 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Taylor Freelove, Corning:
* 22 goals 8 assists (15 matches - 8 matches vs end of season NYS ranked opponents, 7 in AAA); 2024 All Conference Selection; goals scored include hat trick vs AAA state quarterfinalist Baldwinsville, 5 goals scored against Elmira; 2 goals scored in a 2-3 double OT loss vs Ithaca; goal and assist vs AA #9 state ranked Vestal; 2023 STAC All Division Selection; 2023 STSR Newcomer of the Year; 2023 STSR 1st Team; 2023 STSR Rookie Team
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ben Church, Horseheads
* A Division I commit who is headed to Binghamton next year. One of only two All-Region team selection from Section 4, and the only defender on the list, showing his status as the best defender in Section 4. The Blue Raiders six losses were mostly one goal games and all came against state-ranked teams. While the Blue Raiders struggled offensively at times, the defense was solid and Church anchored the back. He shut down attacks through the middle, is strong on the tackle, wins most 50/50 balls in the air and goes in hard on every challenge. He also contributed offensively with six goals and four assists on the year. Was a 2024 All-Region pick, a STAC Metro-West All-Star. Last year he made the STAC Metro-West all-star team, made all-state and was the STSR Defensive Player of the Year.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Sean Hanrahan, Elmira
* Sean led the Express to 7 shutouts on the season and the helped the Express hold the opposition to a goal or less in 12 of their 18 contests.  Sean made 78 saves on the season in 1389 minutes on the field, including a penalty kick stop.  Sean won 12 matches for the Express, the most by any STAC West Team.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Derek Hamilton, Elmira:
* Led the Express to a STAC West high 12 wins. Helped guide the Express to a sectional title as they beat both Corning, and Ithaca, who they had fallen to twice each in the regular season. Reached sub-regionals, where they fell to an eventual state semifinalist.

TERRIFIC TWELVE FIRST TEAM
Rohan Amin, Corning
* Midfielder. 2024 STAC All Division selection (2023 STAC All Division selection; 2023 STSR 1st team selection)
Alex Large, Corning
* Outside defender. 2024 STAC All Division selection; anchored a defense that conceded 17 goals with a brand new GK (2023 STSR 1st team)
Seaver Nellis, Corning
* Center defender: 2024 STAC All Conference selection; anchored a defense that conceded 17 goals with a brand new GK (2023 STSR 2nd team)
Anthony Kitching, Elmira
* Anthony led the Express to 7 shutouts on the season and the helped the Express hold opposition to a goal or less in 12 of their 18 contests.  Anthony consistently won balls in the air with his athleticism and was the leader of one of the best defenses in Section IV.  He was the emotional and vocal leader of the Express as a tremendous captain to the team, leading the group to a STAC West high 12 wins.  Anthony was named to the STAC All-Conference team this season.
Luca Capilli, Elmira
* Luca was second on the team in goals (6) and tied for the team lead in assists (5) as a junior central midfielder this season.  Luca's unmatched work rate and ability to be everywhere on the pitch was the catalyst for much of the Express' defensive success, and his ability to win the ball launched a number of outstanding counter attacks that lead to goals.  Five of Luca's six goals came from outside of 30 yards as the power on his shots were difficult to handle from anywhere on the field.  Luca only needs a handful of assists in 2025 to become the Elmira Express all-time leader in assists.  Luca made the all-state team.
Finn Schweizer, Notre Dame: Helped a defense that had six clean sheets on the season.
Jackson Potter, Notre Dame: Had 40 saves and six shutouts on the year.
Elijah Friend, Horseheads
* STAC Metro-West Conference Allstar (2024 and 2023), 5 G 5A.  Solid midfielder with great knowledge of the game.  Controlled the midfield for us and was a leader both on and off the pitch. Playing in college next year but still trying to decide between a couple of schools.
Gavin McInerney, Horseheads
* 7 shutouts on the season, 11 goals against, 85% save percentage.  Playing for Elmira College (D3) next season.

SECOND TEAM
Matthew McKendrick, Corning:
* Outside Defender: Anchored a defense that conceded 17 goals with a brand new GK
Landyn Proudfoot, Corning
* 2024 All Division Selection; 6 Goals 2 Assists (2023 STSR All Rookie Team)
Casey Robbins, Corning
* 2024 STAC All Division selection; anchored a defense that conceded 17 goals with a brand new GK
Grayson Timmons, Corning
* 2024 All Division Selection; 5 Goals 3 Assists (2023 STSR All Rookie Team)
Charlie Warner, Corning
* 6 goals 4 assists, following up on a sophomore campaign of 4 goals 10 assists (2023 STSR All Rookie Team)
Kaelan Brenen-Buseck, Elmira
* A late season position change saw Brenen-Buseck put his stamp on the Express season.  After moving from a defensive midfield position into the attacking third, Kaelan delivered three goals and an assist down the stretch including a match winner in overtime against Binghamton Seton Catholic to lock up a home sectional match for Elmira. Kaelan was named to the STAC West All-Division Team.
Chase Christian, Elmira
* A STSR All-Rookie team selection a year ago, Chase took a step forward and has shown himself to be one of the best defenders in the conference.  His versatility on the field makes him dangerous wherever he is placed.  Chase was notorious for locking down the opponent's best player in close games and his quickness and individual ability provided the Express with goals late in games if they needed them.  Chase finished with 2 goals and an assist from the center back position on only 7 total shots.  He also provided the Express with 7 shutouts on the season and the helped hold opposition to a goal or less in 12 of their 18 contests.
Dom Capilli, Elmira
* Dominic was a member of the STSR All-Rookie team a year ago and followed up a good freshman season with a solid sophomore season.  Dom was third on the team in goals (4) and tied for the team lead in assists (5).  Dominic is an extremely dangerous 1v1 player and often creates great scoring chances with the ball on his foot.  Dominic was named to the STAC West All-Division team.
Brody Hamilton, Elmira
* Another member of the STSR All-Rookie team in 2023, Brody proved to be a valuable player as both a defender and a defensive passer. Brody is good at winning the ball in the air and strong on the tackle.  His passing vision from the defensive third was fantastic as he helped the Express with two assists and making numerous other passes that led to scoring opportunities.  He also provided the Express with 7 shutouts on the season and the helped hold opposition to a goal or less in 12 of their 18 contests.
Riley O’Herron, Elmira
* Another member of the STSR All-Rookie Team in 2023, Riley is an outstanding individual and team defender.  His stamina and fitness allows him to play box to box and contribute both as a defender and an attacking option.  Riley notched an assist on the season, but played numerous other important passes that lead to goals from his deeper lying defensive position. He also provided the Express with 7 shutouts on the season and the helped hold opposition to a goal or less in 12 of their 18 contests.
Sean Hanrahan, Elmira
* See Above
Dominic Hugg, Horseheads
* 4 goals and 4 assists.
Coleton Owen, Horseheads
* STAC West Allstar.  Solid outside back on defense who provided stability who also pushed up to help with the attack.
Tristan Quanz, Horseheads
* STAC West Allstar – 1 G, 1 A. Started the season at left fullback.  Was moved to defensive midfielder and greatly helped to solidify our midfield.  Played great defense and provided a spark on our attack.
Gabriel Patterson, Notre Dame:
* A key performer for the Crusaders. Had three goals on the season.
Anthony Barkley, Notre Dame:
* Helped a defense that had six clean sheets on the year.
Sebastian Capriotti, Notre Dame:
* Had eight goals to lead the Crusaders this year:

ROOKIE TEAM
Hanrahan
* See Above
James Goodman, Corning
* 4 goals 6 assists, spot starter or first player to enter match all season.
Ben Hufnagel, Corning
* Had a 7-7 record in goal and allowed just 17 goals in 14 games.
Chase Smith, Elmira
* Chase scored two goals for the Express in his first season as a member of the team.  His pace and work rate consistently caused disruptions to opposition defenses.  Chase stated 12 games for the Express
Nolan Kennedy, Elmira
* Nolan started 6 games for the Express as a freshman. His technical ability and match IQ will set him up for future success within a team that returns 18 of the 22 rostered players from a championship season. 
Brayden Spier, Horseheads
* Started all season at forward and contributed 6 goals and an assist as our left forward.
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STSR FILE PHOTOS

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