Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016: Warrant issued for attack on Corcoran runner

   Leading off today: The man accused of attacking autistic Syracuse Corcoran freshman Chase Coleman during a cross country race in Rochester last month will be charged with second-degree harassment, Syracuse.com reported Wednesday.

   Rochester police notified Clarise Coleman, the youth's mother, that they had received a signed warrant from a city court judge to charge Martin MacDonald of Pittsford. The charge is a violation punishable by up to 15 days in jail, the website reported. Investigator Jacqueline Shuman of the Rochester Police Department confirmed a warrant had been issued by City Court Judge Caroline Morrison.

   Chase Coleman, 15, was competing Oct. 14 in Rochester when he encountered MacDonald, 57, on a park road, according to witnesses. MacDonald got out of his vehicle at some point and shoved Chase to the ground, yelling "Get out of here," witnesses stated.

   MacDonald admitted pushing the teen after he was interviewed at home by police. He said he was worried that Chase might mug his wife, who was sitting in the vehicle, according to the police report.

   MacDonald told police he was "very sorry" after learning from an officer that the teenager was autistic and had trouble communicating, the Democrat and Chronicle reported after acquiring the police report through a Freedom of Information Law filing.

   That report was written Oct. 31 -- more than two weeks after the incident -- and represents the only public account of the event as recalled by MacDonald, the paper reported. MacDonald's version of the incident departs from recent media reports alleging the approached Coleman first. The deputy's report also indicates MacDonald claimed he thought Coleman was on drugs and mocking him.

   Pezzino cracks 250 barrier: Grand Island (19-1) kept its nearly flawless season alive by defeating Amherst 4-1 in the Section 6 girls Class A soccer state qualifier as Florida State commit Madisyn Pezzino scored three goals.

   "It's been an awesome journey," Pezzino, who now has 73 goals this season and 252 for her career, told The Buffalo News. "I'm glad we're able to go further than we have in past years. I'm excited to see what happens next."

   More girls soccer: Senior forward Casey Schmitt scored three goals, including the game-winner in the first overtime, as Mount Sinai defeated Harborfields 3-2 in the Section 11 Class A final.

   Schmitt, who earlier staked her team to a 2-0 lead, came through with 4:30 remaining in the first of two 10-minute overtimes.

    • Northport's Emma Havrilla stopped a penalty kick early in the second half to preserve a scoreless tie and help spark her team to a 3-0 win over Smithtown West for the Section 11 Class AA championship.

   Havrilla made 13 saves in the victory and Victoria Colatosti broke the tie midway through the second half.

   Boys soccer: Lake Placid endured an all-too-familiar scenario Tuesday, losing its first-round match in the NYSPHSAA tournament for the fifth straight year. All of the losses have been 1-0 shutouts, including one setback by a 5-4 margin in penalty kicks.

   The time the victor was Maple Hill in the Class C first round in Plattsburgh. Senior Garrett Axtmann connected for the game's only goal with 13:45 remaining in the first half when he cashed in a rebound.

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    • Mateo Russo scored with 2:03 to play as Newburgh Free Academy (12-6) edged Monroe-Woodbury 1-0 for the Section 9 Class AA championship. Newburgh has won seven of its last eight games.

   Following up: The Greenburgh Central School District released a statement Wednesday saying that one of the game officials has come forward to express misgivings about an ejection last weekend that will keep Woodlands star QB/linebacker Amari Bilal out of Friday's Section 1 Class C football title game.

   In part, the statement reads:

   "Although Amari was ejected -- and suspended for one game -- for what a referee said was kicking a Rye Neck player while both were on the ground, it is clear from game footage that instead of kicking the player, Amari -- a top player and a college-bound senior -- had twisted his ankle in the tackle pileup and was trying to protect his foot. The videotape shows, and witnesses have said, that his ankle was intentionally being held in place by a Rye Neck player when the call was made.

   "We are dismayed about the call, which was recorded on videotape. And now the referee who threw the flag has come forward to say that based on what he saw throughout the game, Amari was defending himself. The referee also said he would be willing to provide a statement on Amari's behalf.

   "Section 1 Executive Director Jennifer Simmons and Robert Zayas, Executive Director of the NYSHSAA (sic), have refused to view the videotape or listen to the voice message left with District officials from the official.

   "Woodlands High School Athletic Director Edgar Glascott notes that throughout the game, Rye Neck football players were clearly focused on Amari and two other Woodlands players, consistently 'chop blocking them.' Mr. Glascott also said the referee expressed concern during the game that Rye Neck players were 'trying to get another Woodlands player ejected as well.'

   "[I]t was a rush decision to throw the flag," said Mr. Glascott. "And looking back on it, even the official said it was clear that Amari was simply trying to defend himself."

   There is no provision in sectional or New York State Public High School Athletic Association rules to review video for the purpose of voiding a suspension associated with an ejection.