The following is a republished press release…to submit a community announcement, email Peter Blanchard at [email protected].
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CORTLAND, N.Y. – The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls Soccer Championships will return to Cortland for the 10th year.
Starting in 2006, the Cortland Regional Sports Council, in conjunction with Section III Athletics, has hosted the event.
"This is a feather in the cap for Cortland County," said Machell Phelps, executive director of CRSC. "We have been fortunate to continue as the host for this prestigious event. This one competition brings memories that will last a lifetime. Not every team gets to compete for a state title and we do everything we can to make it a positive experience for all the athletes, spectators and state personnel."
The contests will take place at Tompkins Cortland Community College, SUNY Cortland and Cortland High School on Sat., Nov. 14. The finals will take place at SUNY Cortland's Stadium Complex on Sunday, Nov. 15.
"Beyond the prestige for the local community, there is also an economic benefit," Phelps said. "There will be 20 teams coming here, along with their families, friends and soccer fans from Buffalo to Long Island, and from the Adirondacks to the Southern Tier. They will help fill our hotels and eat in our restaurants."
The tournament falls on the third weekend of November. There are 10 matches on Saturday and five matches on Sunday, with teams vying in Classes AA, A, B, C and D. Section III will have three teams in the tournament field – Baldwinsville, Jamesville-Dewitt and Copenhagen.
A Banquet of Champions is held on Friday evening, kicking off the tournament.
"Having the availability of additional turf fields allows for increased flexibility with the scheduling and tournament play. As we did last year, all the Finals will be played at SUNY Cortland's Stadium, which offers the perfect setting for a state finale competition," Phelps said.
The Cortland Regional Sports Council works closely with SUNY Cortland, Homer High, Cortland high and Tompkins-Cortland Community College on the soccer championships.
"I think this truly shows the potential in partnering for sports related events," Phelps added, whose organization brought more than $22 million into the local economy since 2005. "The possibilities are endless."
Phelps also credits Chuck Goehring, past Girls Soccer Committee Chairperson, and Peter Lautensack, the Section III Soccer Committee chair, as key figures in assisting the CRSC throughout the process.
Additional tournament details can be found at www.nysphsaa.org.
Cortland Regional Sports Council
37 Church Street
Cortland, NY 13045
607-756-1864
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