The report says Soren Stevenson supplied the decisive moment, rising to meet Brendan Gruneich’s corner late in extra time. It was a fitting finish to a match described as tense and short on clear chances, with both state-ranked teams protecting their penalty areas effectively.
For New Hartford, the result would carry added weight. The Spartans were reportedly beaten by West Genesee in the season opener, but Hadity said his side had developed since that meeting and approached the rematch as a different team.
Stevenson’s contribution was especially notable because New Hartford had reportedly asked the senior midfielder to take on a more defensive role against a strong West Genesee side.
“Soren might have played a much more defensive role today, but he came up huge several times for us,” Hadity said.
That balance may have been the story of the night. Stevenson helped New Hartford withstand pressure, then found the space needed to decide the tie. In a knockout match where open play offered little margin, the Spartans’ discipline and set-piece execution appeared to make the difference.
The report says New Hartford will face Skaneateles in the final after the Lakers reportedly defeated Henninger in the other tournament match. The final is scheduled for Saturday at 13:00, giving the Spartans little time to celebrate or recover.
The next challenge will be maintaining the defensive resolve that carried them through the semi-final while finding more attacking rhythm. If Stevenson and Gruneich can recreate their decisive connection, New Hartford will have a clear route to turning a dramatic semifinal win into tournament silverware.