Delaney: Hamilton title stirs memories for Duvernoy

Inconspicuous in the crowd of Hamilton Central soccer fans in the lobby of the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Sunday for the post-game ceremony was former Emerald Knights coach Russ Duvernoy. The 61-year-old two-time state championship coach was not among the Hamilton fans dressed in the school colors of green-and-white. On a cold day, Duvernoy was bundled up in a working man's tan jacket and faded Colgate University cap. But on the inside, Duvernoy was cheering, impressed with the Emerald Knights' performance against defending state champion Chazy and feeling "fortunate" for his experinces years ago.

 

Duvernoy was the Emerald Knights coach the last time they won a boys state soccer title in 1997. Duvernoy, who stepped down after the 2002 season, also coached a co-title team in 1995.

 

But Sunday's 4-3 come-from-behind OT victory over Chazy was a first for a coach with more than two decades on the sidelines. Hamilton scored three goals in the final 17:30 of regulation to claim the school's third Class D boys soccer state title. Duvernoy's Hamilton teams won Class D titles in 1995 and 1997. The Emerald Knights lost in the 'C' final in 1998.

 

"I guess I've been around the game for 25 years as a coach and I've never seen a finish like that," Duvernoy said by phone Sunday evening. "I'd never believe what happened, happened."

 

Duvernoy derived a great deal of pleasure from his coaching days, especially because his state title teams included sons, Tim and John, and several of their friends.

 

"I have kids from 20 years ago come up and still call me coach," Duvernoy said. "That's the best address I have."

 

Duvernoy's final season in 2002 ended with a 3-0 Section III final loss to Manlius-Pebble Hill in the Carrier Dome. Current Hamilton coach Brian Latella was an assistant with Duvernoy that season. When Duvernoy became ill after the season and couldn't return, he advocated for Latella to get the head coaching job.

 

"I like his knowledge of the game and he works year-round," Duvernoy said. "He's got a good way with the kids. Brian has a good way with everybody."

 

Duvernoy saw this in the second half of the win over Chazy. Despite being down three goals with less than 20 minutes to play, Latella "never stopped encouraging, never stopped coaching."

 

The 2008 Emerald Knights reminded Duvernoy of championship teams he coached because of their comraderie and talent all over the field. There wasn't one player for Hamilton who carried the team. The scoring totals bear that out. Four players had at least 19 goals led by first-team all-state senior midfielder Nathan Steward with 23 goals and 18 assists. Hamilton tournament MVP Matthew Broedel had 19 goals and 13 assists; Dan Kraynak, who scored the game winner in OT, had 20 goals and 9 assists; Tyler White had 19 goals and 4 assists. The team had eight seniors and that was the group that set the tone.

 

"It made me realize how fortunate I'd been in my experience," Duvernoy said. "Winning a state championship is something not too many coaches get."