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Boys Soccer

- What: New York State?Class D Regionals

- When: Today, 1 p.m.

- Where: National?Soccer Hall of Fame, Oneonta

- The matchup: Northville (17-1-1) vs. Belfast (18-2-1)

- What's at stake: The winner advances to the state championship game against either Section VII champion Chazy or Section III champion Hamilton on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Soccer Hall of Fame Complex in Oneonta.

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NORTHVILLE - The road to Oneonta has been a rough, but rewarding one for the Northville boys soccer team.

The Falcons have trailed in each of their four postseason games, but in each they have rallied to earn the win.

"We've trailed in all four of our playoff games," Northville coach Steve Clapper said after last Saturday's 3-2 overtime win over Section XI champion Smithtown Christian. "I think it shows our character and that we're willing to step up and overcome adversity when we're faced with it."

Northville will be tested again today in the state Class D semifinals against Section V champion Belfast at the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex in Oneonta.

"We've worked hard all season to get to this point," Clapper said. "We're going to go in and give it our best shot and see what happens."

If what happens is anything like Northville's prior playoff games, it will be interesting

After winning its postseason opener over Doane Stuart on Oct. 30 by a comfortable 7-1 margin after trailing 1-0, the Falcons scored a pair of come-from-behind 3-2 wins over Loudonville Christian and Bolton to claim their second straight Class D title.

In the Nov. 7 championship game against Bolton, Northville rallied to win in overtime.

The script was the same in last Saturday's regional championship contest against Smithtown Christian. Northville trailed by scores of 1-0 and 2-1 before earning the win in the first-sudden death overtime.

Josh Ostrander scored the game-winning goal in OT after watching his penalty kick get stopped moments earlier. Ostrander also had an assist, while Jimmy Cole added a goal an assist. Brandon Bleyl also scored for the Falcons on an assist from Scott Parker.

"I'm really proud of the guys," Clapper said. "They wanted to get to this point badly. I think they really deserve what they've done."

Belfast's road to Oneonta also went through overtime last Saturday as they defeated Section VI champion North Collins in double overtime, 2-1, in the regional championship.

Coty Winchell scored the game-winning goal for Belfast (18-2-1 overall).

The victory was the 14th straight for Belfast, which hasn't lost since dropping a 1-0 decision to Fillmore on Sept. 18.

Belfast is coached by Mark Sullivan, who took over for his father, Rich, prior to this season. The two met in last year's Section V Class D title game when Mark coached at Andover.

This year at Belfast, Mark Sullivan's new team has outscored the opposition by a 67-13 margin.

Winchell leads the Bulldogs with 28 goals and 10 assists, while Carson Harrington is Belfast's only other double-digit goal scorer with 16 goals and 11 assists.

Belfast goalie Cody Borden has 12 shutouts in 21 games this season.

"We're not focusing on the opponent at this point. If we play how we're capable of and to our full potential, we can win," Clapper said. "We're focused on how we're playing rather than who we're playing at this point."

The Falcons (17-1-1 overall) have been playing well all season with just one loss in 18 games.

Cole leads the Northville offense with 23 goals and 9 assists, while Ostrander has 20 goals and 12 assists. Mackenzie Groff, who scored the game-winning goals in the Section II semifinals and title game, has 11 goals and six assists.

Mike VanNostrand has 10 shutouts in goal this season for the Falcons.

For both teams, it has been more than a decade since they last reached the state semifinals.

Northville last reached the state Final Four in 1995 when its shared the state title with Hamilton, while Belfast hasn't advanced this far since 1996.

"We haven't been this far in a long time and they [Belfast] haven't been there in a while either," Clapper said.

Both teams are perennial small-school powers in their respective sections with Northville claiming 22 Section II titles and Belfast earned 11 sectional titles.

"We want to do more than just get there. We want to make some noise," Clapper said. "It's a nice accomplishment for the team and for the community that has supported us so well. We're looking forward to it."

In today's other Class D semifinal, 2008 state Class D champion Hamilton of Section III will face 2007 Class D champion Chazy of Section VII at 1 p.m.

Hamilton (17-3-1) earned its return trip to the semifinals with a 2-0 over Section IV champion Margaretville last Saturday. Chazy (18-0-2 overall) earned its 10th trip to the state semifinals in the last 13 years with a 5-0 win over Harrisville last Saturday.

The semifinal winners will face off in Sunday's championship game at 1 p.m.