DJ DeVito scored twice, leading the Our Lady of Lourdes boys soccer team in a 4-2 win over Section 4’s Owego Free Academy, dealing their opponent its first loss in the Class A regional final last Saturday.
The Warriors advance to the state semifinals and will face Long Island’s Florham Park on Saturday, 3:45 p.m. at Middletown High School.
Zach Cervone and Evan Cancro each added goal for Lourdes (15-2-2), which had control from the outset and took a 3-1 lead to halftime.
Matthew Higgins scored twice, the second on a header off a corner with 12 minutes remaining for Owego (18-1).
The Warriors last reached the final four two years ago, getting to the Class B state final and losing narrowly on a last-minute goal.
DeVito, Cancro, Cervone and defender Jack Yough are part of a senior core who were contributors to that breakthrough run in 2022. They now lead a relatively young team in what, initially, was thought to be a rebuilding season.
Lourdes graduated several starters after last season and this group, which includes a slew of underclassmen in significant roles, has far exceeded what most would’ve expected of them.
Florham Park (13-3-1) is also enjoying a breakthrough season, the Section 8 champion beating Glenn, 2-0, last Saturday in the Long Island final to reach the state semifinals for the first time in program history.
