Bronxville girls soccer wins regionals and heads to state semifinals
BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — The Bronxville girls varsity soccer team, led by head coach Don Cupertino, punched their ticket to states with a thrashing 3-0 win against Chenango Valley last Friday at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, New York.
The Broncos got on the board first in the first five minutes after sophomore Madeline Stupart laid one in the net with the assist from senior caption Lily Jebejian. Senior captain Kiki Tormey scored the next two goals in the second half, both assisted by Stupart, as the team took a stomping 3-0 win, giving them their second regional title in program history.
“I am so proud of this team and how we performed in the regional final,” Tormey said after the game. “We played with so much heart and completely dominated Chenango Valley. I think what is most important is how close we are as a group and how much we trust each other on and off the field.”
Chenango Valley, who were sectional champions for the first time in 26 years, were brought down by Bronxville, who have been Sectional 1 champions 21 times in program history. The team had a perfect 6-0 record in conference play and are ranked No. 1 in the state. They skipped the subregional round and went straight to regionals after qualifying as the top seed in the Class B division.
Coach Cupertino has been leading the Broncos for over 16 seasons and earlier this season got his 500th career win with a 1-0 win against Irvington on Senior Night on Sept. 30. He is only one of five coaches in New York state to reach this milestone, according to the Journal News. He has an overall record of 501-82-38 and has led the team to 21 Sectional 1 titles, two regional titles and two state championships.
Shortly after Cupertino captured his 500th win as head coach, boys varsity soccer head coach Donny Lucas captured his 300th win as head coach. Both were rewarded with plaques for their milestone. Cupertino’s plaque was given to him by his former high school head coach Tony Martelli.
“It’s a long time coming and it wasn’t a goal that I had. I just love the game, I love coaching, and I love the kids,” Cupertino said. “To me, it’s the kids’ wins, not mine. I’m there to guide them and help them, but each one of these kids over the last 31 years put their hearts and souls in the game, and they made it happen. They’re an unbelievable group and they just keep coming.”
The Broncos will head to the state semifinals for the first time since 2014 as they will host the No. 3 ranked team in the state, Saranac, at Cortland High School on Saturday. The winner will play either Wheatley or Lewiston-Porter in the state finals on Sunday at either SUNY Cortland or Cortland High School.
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