Afton/Harpusville #3 Equan Patterson and #13 Ryan Dawson were big contributors in the Crimson Knights’ 5-1 win over Delhi. Dawson scored two goals in the second half as Patterson headed one. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

AFTON – A few days after winning the 2023 MAC league championship, the Afton/Harpursville Crimson Knights boys soccer team was right back in action for sectionals. The Crimson Knights won 5-1 over Delhi to advance to the next round as they revenged the 1-0 loss to the Bulldogs in the regular season.

After the MAC Championship was decided by crucial penalty kicks, Afton/Harpursville picked up two more big advantages in Tuesday’s game. Toni Obeada, who scored the game-winner in the championship, netted both penalty kicks received to give the Crimson Knights a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Afton/Harpursville added onto their lead in the second half as team’s leading goal scorer Equan Patterson followed through with a slow header off a good pass from teammate Caleb Anderson. Patterson now has 26 goals in his final season.

Ryan Dawson kept the momentum going with two goals halfway through that were seven minutes apart. His first goal was off a pass from Obeada while his second came from Brendan Pike that was almost blocked by Delhi’s goalkeeper.

Delhi got on the board with under five minutes to play as their starting goalkeeper received playing time on the offensive side.

Afton/Harpursville’s Carter Burns and Xander Quick also split time in net as most of the Crimson Knights’ starters were subbed halfway through the second half.

Afton/Harpursville advances to the next sectionals round, where they’ll host Marathon on Friday. Fifth seeded Marathon defeated Watkins Glen 6-0. Friday’s game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Afton.