The celebration ended up serving a perfect motivator, as the Trojans would come out and score in the opening minute of the second period on their way to a 5-0 victory over Westfield/Brocton in non-league action at Charles A. Lawson Field.

The win lifts the Southwestern to 14-0-1 overall, with its only blemish on the year coming via a 1-1 tie against Fredonia, while Westfield/Brocton falls to 10-5.

Just moments after sharing his memories alongside five classmates, Justin Morris made it 2-0 with a cutback past a defender that was finished down low.

“These guys have been such a part of this program,” said head coach Jason Deering. “Four of the seniors have started since ninth grade and put in heavy minutes. They’ve been important to each one of the teams the last four years. They were good last year, but this year they’ve been just amazing. They’re a fantastic group of guys, their leadership has just blossomed this year and they are working together with everyone. It’s just been an absolute blessing and a joy for me to be given these guys.”

Westfield/Brocton’s Darien Swanson, left, defends Southwestern’s Marcus Kautzman. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

While Southwestern’s offense made the most of its opportunities on a sun-splashed late afternoon, the Trojans’ defensive effort was just as impressive. Throughout 80 minutes of play, the hosts gave up just a handful of chances, with goaltender Declan Brown getting his hands on just a pair of saves.

Bryce Deering started off his senior night celebration the right way in the third minute of play when Southwestern picked up a chance on a corner kick. As Marcus Kautzman lined up for the strike, senior Chase Stevenson gathered significant attention on his way towards the goal. With Westfield/Brocton keying on the Trojans’ 32-goal scorer, Deering was able to take to the air for an easy header to make it 1-0.

Southwestern continued to pick up offensive chances in the lead up to halftime as Michael Cammarata struck a corner kick that was cleared away, with the senior following that up with a shot that was deflected out of danger.

Shortly after Morris’ goal early in the second half, Westfield/Brocton finally earned a chance to get on the board when Gabe Morello fed Cole Holland with a through-ball. Brown snuffed out that chance with a quick rush and scoop.

Southwestern’s lead grew to three when Westfield/Brocton hit a clearing ball out of harm’s way nearly halfway through the second period that was picked up by Kautzman. The junior midfielder handled that missed shot, breaking in all alone and letting fly a low stinger that found the back of the net.

Southwestern’s Milko Studenko dribbles the ball up the up field during Tuesday’s Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association non-league soccer game. P-J photo by Scott Kindberg

After picking up his goal, Bryce Deering was able to help Cammarata collect his fifth of the season with six minutes remaining. That pass sprung Cammarata free inside the 18-yard box, where the senior finished that ball high in the right corner.

Milko Studenko finished off the scoring for Southwestern from a tough angle late in the game, taking advantage of a pass from Cammarata.

“I was just crediting Westfield,” Coach Deering said after speaking to his players. “Westfield is a good team. They are one of the top teams in Class C and they’re going to do well in the playoffs, I have a feeling.”

Looking forward to the postseason, the Southwestern mentor knows that his team will need to shift into another gear in order to achieve its final goal of moving out of Section VI.

“Our potential opponents are good teams, very few losses among them,” Coach Deering said. “Our movements off the ball have been better, defensively is one of the spots I think we’re going to have to work on a little bit, because we haven’t been challenged so much and that’s scary to me. But we have experience back there, too, that will keep us solid.”