Undefeated
Fusion Team Heads to National Competition
(This article was reprinted courtesy of the Tioga County Courier and appeared in their June 8th,
2011 issue) Goalkeeper Sam Guy of Binghamton saved a penalty kick in the 81st minute of Sunday morning's State
Cup Championship match versus Empire Syracuse to preserve a 1-1 tie for the BC United Fusion Under-19 Boys premier soccer
team.
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The BC Fusion goal was scored by Eric Funk of Clarence Center on a rebound shot early in the first
half. Empire Syracuse scored early in the second half to tie the contest.
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The June 5th tie completed an undefeated run for the BC Fusion boys at the 2011 New York State West Youth Soccer
Association Championship Tournament at Cortland State University. Having advanced directly to the Final Four of the
State Championship as the two-time defending State Champions, the BC Fusion team defeated Amherst soccer Association1-0 on
Friday, tied Blackwatch Buffalo 0-0 on Saturday and tied Empire Syracuse 1-1 Sunday.
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With this weekend's undefeated performance, the 2009 and 2010 State Champion BC Fusion team advances for the third
consecutive year to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Regional Tournament, which this year will be held in Lancaster
Pennsylvania on June 30th through July 5th.
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The Regional Championship Tournament
will include the State championship teams from each of the 13 Northeastern States and three wild card teams who qualified
by finishing as runners-up in selected States.
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The members of the 2011 BC Fusion
U-19 Boys Premier team include (with residence and college team): Sean Adams (Elmira, Bentley College), Patrick Cadden
(Vestal), Andy Fleckenstein (Farmington, NY, Rochester Institute of Technology), Rich Franz (Owego, Nazareth College), Eric
Funk (Clarence Center, NY, Binghamton University), Ryan Gracy (Oneonta, RPI), Sam Guy (Binghamton, Alfred University), Luke
Halberg (Norwich, Binghamton University), Jacob Joseph (Oneonta, Muhlenberg University), Kyle McCue (Oneonta, Union College),
Thomas Moon (Endwell, Binghamton University), Nicholas Patricia (Apalachin, Wilkes University), Thomas Rocco (Apalachin, Nazareth
College), Jason Ruivo (Binghamton, Binghamton University), William Ryan (Ithaca, Cornell University), Randy Seltzer (Freeville
NY, Rochester Institute of Technology), Grant Shelp (Montrose PA, Lock Haven University), Mike Weaver (Pine City, NY).
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The team is coached by Jim Franz of Owego, and assisted by Jim Cadden of Vestal and Gary Rocco of Apalachin.
