Tioga County Sports ReportTIOGA COUNTY — Newark Valley senior Elijah Williams had a knack for finding the back of the net, making him the 2025 Tioga County Sports Report Boys Soccer "Player of the Year."
Spencer-Van Etten/Candor junior Kyle Jantz is the "Offensive Player of the Year," while Newark Valley junior Vince Finta is the "Defensive Player of the Year," SVEC sophomore Ryan Ackerly is the ”Newcomer of the Year,” Tioga sophomore David Van Dusen is the "Keeper of the Year," and SVEC’s Jason Banks and Gary Holmes are the "Coaches of the Year."
Williams, an IAC South Small School first team all-star, had the hot foot for the Cardinals, scoring 17 goals. He also dished out five assists and was the key ball handler for the NV team.
Jantz was arguably the most unselfish player in the league. While he put 11 balls into the back of the net, he also doled out a dozen assists. He was named to the IAC South Small School first team as a midfielder.
Finta used his height to his advantage to help defend against opposing offenses, which landed him a spot on the IAC South Small School first team.
Van Dusen recorded more than 100 saves while minding the Tiger goal.. He was selected to the IAC South Small School first team.
Ackerly helped the Eagles overcome the graduation of five players and a talented foreign exchange student. He helped shore up the defense by filling a spot at outside back and was named to the IAC South Small School second team.
Banks, a longtime mentor for the Eagles, and Holmes, who rejoined Banks on the SVEC sidelines this season, guided the team to an 8-7 record and the Section IV Class B playoffs, despite key losses from the previous year’s roster.
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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Elijah Williams, Newark Valley
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kyle Jantz, SVEC
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Vince Finta, Newark Valley
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Ackerly, SVEC
KEEPER OF THE YEAR: David VanDusen, Tioga
COACHES OF THE YEAR: Jason Banks and Gary Holmes, SVEC
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The 2025 All-Tioga County Boys Soccer Super 7
Vince Finta, junior, Newark Valley: See above.
Elijah Williams, senior, Newark Valley: See above.
Sam Beyer, senior, Owego: Recognized as the team’s top defender by his coach, Beyer was named a STAC Central Division all-star at forward/striker.
Owen Hallenbeck, sophomore, Owego: A midfielder, he led the rebuilding River Hawks with seven goals and three assists, was the team’s MVP and was a STAC Central Division all-star.
Kyle Jantz, junior, SVEC: See above.
David Van Dusen, sophomore, Tioga: See above.
Peyton Robinson, senior, Waverly: The Wolverines’ MVP, he accounted for seven goals and five assists. He was picked as a midfielder on the STAC Central/East All-Conference team.
The Second Seven
Aiden Alger, junior, Newark Valley: Alger doled out 11 assists and also contributed four goals. He was named an IAC South Small School second team all-star.
Connor Hunt, sophomore, SVEC: He was selected to the IAC South Small School first team as a defender.
Sirron Irvin, senior, SVEC: The Eagles’ primary goalkeeper missed several games due to injury, but when he was in the lineup he was a strong netminder. Irvin played in nine contests, making 47 saves while recording three shutouts.
Nate Morse, sophomore, SVEC: He contributed nine goals and one assist. A midfielder, he was named to the IAC South Small School first team.
Brennan Zimmer, sophomore, SVEC: He filled a dual role as a center midfielder and a goalkeeper when Irvin was out. He made 49 saves in six games and was selected as an IAC South Small School second team all-star.
Brady Landmesser, senior, Tioga: He dished out numerous assists for the Tigers and also chipped in with three goals. Kandmesser was named an IAC South Small School first team all-star.
Logan Roskow, senior, Waverly: A defender, he accounted for one goal and one assist, and was named to the STAC Central/East All-Conference team.
