York junior keeper Dominic Chirico has been huge between the posts this fall helping the Golden Knights get off to a 7-5-0 record.
RETSOF — When you hear local sports experts talk about York soccer, they’re usually speaking about the girls that don purple and gold.
After all, the York girls’ soccer program have captured two state titles in the past three years.
But the boys are starting to make their own noise.
Led by a flurry of upsets, head coach Mike Valentino has the York boys off to a 7-5-0 record including big wins over Geneseo (2-1) Oct. 2 and Mount Morris (3-1) Oct. 8.
After starting the season 4-5-0, the Golden Knights have rattled off three straight wins.
“We moved some players around and some of the kids have started to know their roles more,” said coach Valentino.
“They are playing a lot more team soccer.”
If he’s looking for a reason for his team’s success, coach Valentino directly points to his midfield play, especially seniors Chas Streb and Kyle Barber.
“They are tremendous center middies who have both been with me since they were freshman,” said coach Valentino. “They are both strong on the ball and know the game inside and out. They get the job done and they win a lot of the 50-50 balls.”
Streb leads the team in scoring with six goals and two assists while Barber has tallied two goals and two assists.
“Chas is the heart and soul of this team,” said coach Valentino. “We go, where he goes.”
The Golden Knights’ offense also gets a spark up front where senior Luke Dougal operates.
Dougal has split the posts five times this fall and has also dished out four assists.
“He’s very skilled on the ball and an overall great athlete,” said Valentino.
The York defense has played well this fall as they have allowed just 12 goals in 12 games, including five shutouts.
The defensive unit is led by junior keeper Dom Chirico, who is starting to make a real name for himself between the posts.
On the season, Chirico, the cousin to former Indiana University and Livonia soccer star Jordan Chirico, has recorded 108 saves and a 1.18 GAA.
“Last year Dominic did a great job on JV’s but we weren’t sure how much success he would have this year at the varsity level,” said coach Valentino. “But he has proven to be both very skilled and extremely smart. He really anchors the defense and is a great vocal leader.”
Seniors Dev Nagle and Kaleb St. Clair, along with juniors Kenny Beck and Luke Connolly, are keeping things as quiet as possible for Chirico’s net.
“Dev and Kenny have done a nice job inside while Kenny and Luke are doing a solid job on the outside,” said coach Valentino. “They play pretty physical back there and nothing comes easy for the other team’s offense.”
York will cut into the meat of their schedule over the next few weeks as they visit Nunda Wednesday to take on Keshequa before hosting D-III leading Perry Friday. After hosting Pavilion Oct. 20, the Golden Knights will try and duplicate history when they visit Geneseo Oct. 22.
— The entire story will appear in the Oct. 14 edition of the Livingston County News.
