Troy blanks Eisenhower 2-0 to end two-year drought in regional finals

Troy's goal against average stands at 0.58 across 19 games, a statistic that anchored their 2-0 victory over Utica Eisenhower in the Division 1 regional finals at Rochester Stoney Creek on Thursday. The clean sheet marked the Colts' 10th of the season and capped a game where they outshot the Eagles 9-8 while converting two key chances into goals.

The win ends a two-year streak of regional final losses for the top-ranked Troy squad. In 2024, the team fell 1-0 to Rochester Adams, which went on to win the state title. Last year, they lost 3-1 to Troy Athens in the same round. Today's result gives Troy its first regional crown since 2017.

Cole Cusmano, a three-year starter for the Colts, noted the emotional weight of the location. He recalled being part of the teams that lost in this exact stage in the previous two years. Cusmano said the team is enjoying the moment and taking it one game at a time, citing the hard work put in all season as the reason they are finally seeing results.

Troy scored first with 18:01 remaining in the first half. Senior Ryan Wind delivered a corner kick into the box, where Cusmano poked the loose ball into the corner of the net. The second goal came with 35:17 remaining in the match. A clearance from Eisenhower deflected backward into open space, allowing sophomore Connor Hotts to run a breakaway and score into the bank.

Eisenhower finished the game with a 15-3-3 record, though forfeits due to an ineligible player wiped out many of those results. The Eagles advanced to the regional finals for the first time in two decades. Senior Vincent Pelle hit the outside of the left goalpost with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box late in the game, a moment Eisenhower coach Mehrdad Nekoogar cited as a turning point that did not happen.

Nekoogar acknowledged Troy's talent and direct playing style, noting that the Eagles had few chances but scored on two of them for their opponent. He pointed out that a disallowed goal for offside and the shot on the post could have changed the outcome. Despite the loss, Nekoogar stated it was a great season for his fourth group of boys, having seen this specific team through all four years.

Troy coach Adam Spinks expressed relief after coming up short in the past two seasons. He said the team simply continued playing how they had all season and finally advanced past the regional finals. The Colts will now face sixth-ranked Salem in the state semifinals at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Troy Athens.

Troy has outscored its four postseason opponents 15-4 this year. Junior Will Horvath recorded the clean sheet, while senior Blake Kuiper anchored the defense by preventing any shots on goal. The team holds a 67-11 scoring edge for the season, a defensive record Cusmano attributed to the returning back line from last year.