Delaney: Alcott Family Affair

It was a familiar scene for the Alcott family of New Hartford in the lobby of the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Five years ago, Kate and Steve Alcott watched as their son Mike, then a junior midfielder, was honored with his New Hartford soccer teammates for their Class A state championship in Oneonta.

The Alcotts, including Mike (now a senior at Penn State), returned to watch as youngest son Pat was honored with the Spartans soccer team for its state runner-up finish Sunday in the Oneonta museum.

Defending Class A champion Comsewogue from Port Jefferson Station defeated the Section III champions 2-0 on two second-half goals in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association final.

“This is our last hurrah,” said Kate of Pat, a midfielder like his brother and one of four team captains. “This is our last child. It’s nostalgic and sad.”

“These are the first games I’ve seen,” Mike said. “They looked a lot like our team, scrappy and cohesive.”
Comsewogue’s Keith Vigorito finally cracked through the New Hartford defense with the first goal in the 47th minue. Mackie Magoulas scored with 3:05 left to seal it.

“They scored the first goal and I think it broke us,” Kate said.

Pat Alcott was not the only member of this year’s team with ties to the 2004 squad. Senior defender Kevin Jerrard is the brother of Erik Jerrard who was a defender in 2004.

“I am very grateful my kids had this high school experience,” Kate Alcott said. “It’s something they’ll never forget.”