Delaney: Hamilton boys win semifinal, Chazy next

Hamilton Central senior midfielder Nathan Steward set the tone early for the Emerald Knights' 1-0 Class D state semifinal win over S.S. Seward in Oneonta on Saturday. Steward, a first-team all-state selection, fired a hard shot just over the cross bar early in the match at the National Soccer Hall of Fame Complex. Steward had three other similar shots on goal during the game and he dominated possession in the midfield.

 

Hamilton nearly had a second goal in the first half. Freshman midfielder Drew Thompson crossed a ball from the right wing into the Seward penalty box. Recent Hamilton JV call-up Joe Taranto got his head on the ball while Spartans keeper Dmitri Moustakas was out of position. A Seward defender came to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

 

Thompson, the brother of senior defender Alex Thompson, played well as an offensive midfielder. Thompson lined up like a forward, up on the line when Hamilton had the ball. But when the Emerald Knights transitioned to defense, Thompson sprinted back to get in the action. He was very effective on the wing, drawing defenders to the ball, and then quick and skilled enough to send a cross to the middle or to beat his man one-on-one.

 

The Emerald Knights will play state-ranked No. 1 and defending Class D champion Chazy in the final at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.