THE SPORTS REPORTS: ELMIRA'S CAPILLI NAMED 'BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF YEAR;' VALLEY WELL-REPRESENTED ON ALL-REGION TEAMS (January 20, 2026)

The Sports Reports
It was a big year for soccer teams on both sides of the border, and no one had a better season than Elmira’s Luca Capilli, earning him The Sports Reports / Ziff Law Firm All-Region "Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year."

Capilli was the catalyst for everything the Express does both offensively and defensively. He finished the year with five goals and 11 assists, becoming the Elimra Express all-time leader in career assists.

He was named to the STAC All-Conference team for the third straight year, the all-state team for the second straight year and was selected to the 2025 United Soccer Coaches Large School All-Region team — the only player from the area to make the team.

Capilli is a four-year starter and was chosen captain for the second straight year. He is committed to play Division I soccer at Mercyhurst University next year.

The "Defensive Player of the Year" is Northeast Bradford's Eli Stanton, whose defense, leadership and all-around play helped the Panthers to a 13-5 record. NEB allowed just 1.3 goals per game, despite playing a high line, while Stanton was also dangerous on offense and also a force on defense. He was the Bradford County "Player of the Year."

Corning’s Landyn Proudfoot is this year’s "Offensive Player of the Year," after he scored 21 goals and doled out six assists to lead STAC West scorers. He was also an all-state player this year.

Nate Perez of Edison is the "Newcomer of the Year." The 8th-grader was a force for the first-year program, earning first-team IAC honors, while making 12 saves per game.

Elmira’s Sean Hanrahan has left his mark on the Express goalkeeping position, setting the single-season program record with nine shutouts, as well as the all-time career-record with 15 shutouts. He is the "Goalkeeper of the Year."

The Express only conceded nine total goals during the regular season, which was the lowest in the entire STAC and proved to be the Elmira Express program record. Elmira gave up just .611 goals per game and allowed one goal or less in 14 of the 16 regular-season matches. He was an all-STAC selection and is committed to play soccer at SUNY Purchase next year.

The "Coach of the Year" is Elmira’s Derek Hamilton and his assistant Steve Mastronardi. The Express won the sectional title and the STAC West. They were regional finalists and were ranked seventh in the state in the final Class AAA state rankings. They were ranked in the top 10 in the state for 10 straight weeks. 

Mastronardi was named the United Soccer Coaches National High School "Assistant Coach of the Year."


2025 ALL-REGION BOYS SOCCER
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Luca Capilli, Elmira;
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Eli Stanton, Northeast Bradford;
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Landyn Proudfoot, Corning;
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Nate Perez, Edison;
GOALIE OF THE YEAR: Sean Hanrahan, Elmira: 

ALL-REGION FIRST TEAM
Luca Capili, Elmira: See above.

Sean Harahan, Elmira: See above.

Nolan Prooudfoot, Corning: See above.

Eli Stanton, Northeast Bradford: See above.

Nate Perez, Edison: See above.

Zach Fisher, Athens:  Fisher recorded 102 saves, and allowed just nine goals in 19 games, helping the Wildcats to an 11-6-2 record. He had 12 clean sheets this season, including a pair of 0-0 ties. He also had four 1-0 losses on the season.

Alex Thompson, Athens: A physical defender with good speed, Thompson was a major part of Athens' success on the defensive back line.

Kyle Jantz, junior, SVEC: Jantz was arguably the most unselfish player in the league. While he put 11 balls into the back of the net, he also doled out 12 assists. He was named to the IAC South Small School first team as a midfielder.

Hayden Plunkert, Williamson: Plunkert scored eight goals and dished out11 assists.

Liam Kies, Williamson: Kids scored six goals and dished out 13 assists.

Deacon Valentine, North Penn-Liberty: Valentine recorded 134 saves and posted six shutouts.

Tommy Klee, Horseheads: The center-back was a STAC all-conference player. He had two goals on the year.

Brayden Spier, Horseheads: A STAC West all-star, Spier tallied six goals and four assists.

Zach Sternfels, Edison: The first-team IAC defender had three goals and two assists for the first-year Spartans team.

Chase Christian, Elmira: Christian was the defensive leader for an Express defense that proved to be the best in Elmira Program history. One of the best overall players on the pitch, Chase also chipped in 4 goals and 3 assists in limited time at forward, when the Express needed a late goal. Christian was a team captain, a vocal and emotional leader, and was named to the 2025 STAC All-Conference Team.

Kaelan Brenen-Buseck, Elmira: Brenen-Buscek finished second on the team in goals (10) and third in assists (4).  A strong player, with above average pace, he was a focal point of opposing defenses and scored his 10 goals in a variety of ways.
Grayson Timmons, Corning: An all-conference midfielder.

Finn Schweizer, Notre Dame: Schweizer was the IAC South Large School MVP.

Justin Mullen, Notre Dame: Mullen was a first-team IAC all-star.

Elijah Williams, senior, Newark Valley: Williams, an IAC South Small School first-team all-star, had the hot foot for the Cardinals, scoring 17 goals. He also dished out five assists and was the key ball handler for the NV team.

Tyler Kuhn, Northeast Bradford: Kuhn scored 30-plus goals to lead the NTL in scoring.

Dom Capilli, Elmira: Dom Capili was a three-year starting midfielder for Elmira and finished the 2025 season with 16 goals and 5 assists to pace an Elmira offensive that scored 52 goals on the year. Capili scored in 10 of the Express' 17 matches this season, including two 3-goal matches, and was named to the 2025 STAC All-Conference Team.

SECOND TEAM
Matt Keough, Notre Dame: Keough was an IAC first-team all-star as a senior.

Jully Jardine, Notre Dame: Jardine was an IAC first-team all-star.

Davi Valente, Notre Dame: Valente, a sophomore, was an IAC first-team all-star.

Will Howles, Corning: Howles was an all-STAC West defender.

Charlie Warner, Corning: Warner was an all-STAC west midfielder.

Vince Finta, junior, Newark Valley: Finta used his height to his advantage to help defend against opposing offenses, which landed him a spot on the IAC South Small School first team.

Peyton Robinson, senior, Waverly: A fiery competitor and heady player, Robinson scored seven goals and dished out five assists.

Dan Barrett, Northeast Bradford:

Cooper Sargent, Corning: Sargent scored nine goals and dished out seven Assists. He was an all-STAC West selection.

Jonathan Carl, Wellsboro: Carl scored 12 goals, and had four assists on the season.

Nate Gehman, Williamson:

David Graf, Williamson: Grad scored six goals and dished out three assists.

Andrew Fedele, Horseheads: Fedele was a STAC West All-star as a center back. He had one goal on the year.

Dom Wood, Horseheads: The junior holding-midfielder was a STAC West all-star and had three goals and one assist.

Blake Difasi, Edison: Difasi was a second-team IAC all-star. He scored six goals and had three assists.

John Tolly, Corning: Told was an all-STAC West defender.

Brody Hamilton, Elmira: A standout defender on Elmira's stout defense, Hamilton scored four goals on the season from his left-back position, all on corner kicks. Hamilton is a three-year starting defender for the Express and was named to the 2025 STAC West All-Division Team for the second consecutive season.

Riley O'Herron, Elmira: O'Herron is a three-year varsity starting defender for the Express and was moved to the center-back position this season. O'Herron and Christian made up one of the best center-back pairings in the conference and O'Herron was named to the 2025 STAC West All-Division team.

THIRD TEAM
Anthony Barkley, Notre Dame: An IAC second-team all-star.

Logan Durand, Corning: An all-STAC West goalie.

Olivier Riffle, Edison: A second-team IAC all-star, he had four goals and two assists on the year.

Chase Gombocz, Athens: Using his speed, foot skills and head for the game, Gombocz made an immediate impact on the Wildcats in his first varsity season. He scored four goals and dished out a team-high four assists.

Patrick Umber, sophomore, Athens: Fast and athletic, Umber had one goal and one assist last year as a freshman. This season, Umber scored a team-high six goals and dished out two assists.

David Seeling, Wellsboro: Seeling had eight goals and three assists

Braeden Colwell, Williamson: Colwell scored 10 goals and doled out three assists.

Brady Landmesser, senior, Tioga: A seasoned veteran on a young team, Landmesser was like a coach on the field for the Tigers. He was also a physical presence with a strong leg. He scored three goals on the season.

Owen Hallenbeck, sophomore, Owego: A midfielder, he led the rebuilding River Hawks with seven goals and three assists, was the team’s MVP and was a STAC Central Division all-star.

Sam Beyer, senior, Owego: Recognized as the team’s top defender by his coach, Beyer was named a STAC Central Division all-star at forward/striker.

Brayden Spencer, Towanda.

Coen Tennis, Wellsboro.

Anthony Pousen, Northeast Bradford.

Timothy Hornung, Troy.

Sebastian Garcia, Horseheads: The junior was a strong presence up front for the Blue Raiders.

Hayden Rolls, Elmira: An All-STAC West player.

FOURTH TEAM
Elijah Marrero, Notre Dame: An IAC second-team all-star.

Landon English, Notre Dame: An IAC second-team all-star.

Tate Nanda, Notre Dame: An IAC second-team all-star.

Matthew McKendrick, Corning: A key defender for the Hawks as a senior.

Parker Jackson, North Penn-Liberty: 6 goals and one assist.

Aiden Alger, junior, Newark Valley: Alger doled out 11 assists and also contributed four goals. He was named an IAC South Small School second team all-star.

Connor Hunt, sophomore, SVEC: He was selected to the IAC South Small School first team as a defender.

Sirron Irvin, senior, SVEC: The Eagles’ primary goalkeeper missed several games due to injury, but when he was in the lineup he was a strong netminder. Irvin played in nine contests, making 47 saves while recording three shutouts.

Nate Morse, sophomore, SVEC: He contributed nine goals and one assist. A midfielder, he was named to the IAC South Small School first team.

Brennan Zimmer, sophomore, SVEC: He filled a dual role as a center midfielder and a goalkeeper when Irvin was out. He made 49 saves in six games and was selected as an IAC South Small School second team all-star.

Logan Roskow, senior, Waverly: A defender, he accounted for one goal and one assist, and was named to the STAC Central/East All-Conference team.

Peter Bishop, North Penn-Liberty.

Ayren Morgan, Willaimson.

Gavin Puza, Northeast Bradford.

Cameron Southard, Edison: The central defender had one goal and one assist on the year.

Chase Smith, Elmira: A key offensive player for the Express.

ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
Cooper Sargent, Corning: See above.

Chase Gombocz, Athens: See above.

Mason Earl, Horseheads: Earl scored goals and had three assists on the season.

Zach Sternfels, Edison: See above.

Blake Difasi, Edison: See above.

Nate Perez, Edison: See above.

Olivier Riffle, Edison: See above.

Cameron Southard, Edison: See above.

Alex Sternfels, Edison: The sophomore had one goal and one assist on the year.

Brody Snyder, Elmira: Brody, a freshman, played in all 17 matches for the Express this season.  Sitting in a deeper midfield position, Snyder held his own defensively and was a quality player in possession for the Express.

Parker Coleman, Elmira: Coleman played in 11 matches for the Express in his first season with Elmira.  He chipped in with one goal and two assists.

David Graf, Williamson: See above.

Blaise Farren, Corning.

Ross Fucito, Corning.

Ryan Ackerly, SVEC: Ackerly shored up the Eagle defense by filling a spot at outside back and was named to the IAC South Small School second team.

Dayton Russell, Northeast Bradford.

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