OWEGO — Owego scored a pair of first-half goals, and made them stand up in a 2-0 win over Maine-Endwell in the semifinals of the STAC Boys Soccer Championships here Wednesday night.

The River Hawks, now 15-0, will host Ithaca (10-1-2) in the championship game Friday at 7 p.m.

“We’re so thrilled to have won this game,” said Owego coach Alessio De Michele. “We knew ahead of time how challenging it was going to be because M-E has so many great players and are a fantastically-coached team.

“The Owego boys represented their school so well, fought for everything and scored from two set pieces, which become so important in close matches.

“As a coach, I’m particularly thrilled because we practiced those attacking set pieces frequently, so it’s rewarding when they come off,” noted De Michele. 

“We’ll have a little rest and then prepare ourselves to the max for another big game,” he added.

Owego and M-E traded scoring opportunities through the first 19-plus minutes of the game, with both keepers coming up with big save.

With 20:34 remaining in the first half, Matt Higgins knocked a header, off a corner kick from Owen Hallenbeck, through a crowded box and past the M-E keeper to make it 1-0.

With 1:18 remaining in the half, Adam Llewellyn collected a loose ball in the box moments after a corner kick, and drove it past the keeper to make it 2-0. Bryce Oliver was credited with an assist.

River Hawk keeper Connor Kotski had a number of athletic saves in the contest.

“He was outstanding,” said De Michele. “He’s been under-rated this season, and tonight he came up big.”

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IN PHOTO 1: Matt Higgins heads the ball for a goal. IN TOP PHOTO: Owego keeper Connor Kotski makes a sliding save. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.