By Doug La Rocque
The Berlin Girls’ Soccer Team had its first league contest at Rensselaer well in hand by halftime and cruised to a 6-0 victory over their Central Hudson Valley League opponent. Jewel Pietrzak, Berlin’s all-time leading scorer, netted another three goals in the contest, two from the field and one on a penalty kick. [private]
Winger Reilly Kells scored twice for Berlin, and Gabby Mazzeo also recorded a goal. The game was a physical affair, with a lot of tight marking of Berlin players, especially Pietrzak. At one-time Jewel had five Rensselaer defenders on her. Coach Fleda Berschwinger tells the Eastwick Press she expects it will be that way all year. “We have got to find a way to work the ball to the other team members and set them up as well, to make them threats so we can take a little bit of the pressure off of Jewel.” The Mountaineers goalkeeping was strong though not severely tested. Amanda Despart kept all of Rensselaer’s shots out of the net in the first half, while Haley Maxon did the same in the second to share in the shutout.
Berschwinger thinks the CHVL will be down quite a bit this year, especially with the loss of Waterford from the league and Loudonville Christian not fielding a team. “Emma Willard will probably be the top team, but Heatly is always strong and New Lebanon always gives us a fight.”
Boys Soccer Opens With a Shutout Also
The Germantown Clippers were fodder for the Mountaineers Tuesday afternoon. Berlin scored three times in five minutes to go on to post a 7-0 win over the CHVL opponent. Ryan Willis led a balanced scoring attack with four goals, Tyler Kellar scored twice and posted two assists. Viktor Gerkman also found the back of the net for Berlin, with Derrick Riccardi, Ioann Popov and Adison Colin also picking up one assist each. Sam Mikit stopped 12 shots in the Berlin net, and Mike Slotnick another two to share in the shutout.
The Berlin Boys had both their season openers changed. Their first game was scheduled to be against the Salem Generals, but Salem had not had the mandated amount of practice sessions in by game day, so the contest was turned into a scrimmage. The first league tilt against Loudonville Christian had to be re scheduled to September 19, when the Eagles were academically unable to field a team. Both the Boys and Girls squads will be in action this weekend at the annual New Lebanon tournament on the Tigers field.
Following last week’s scrimmage with Waterford, some vehicles were reported to be driving around the Berlin Soccer field. Coach Art Schmich tells the Eastwick Press there was very little damage done and that the matter is now in the hands of the school administration and the State Police.
Berlin Girls’ Volleyball Young But Optimistic
Coach Paul Shaver’s team opened its CHVL season last Thursday with a straight three set loss to the Eagles of Loudonville Christian but he tells the Eastwick Press he still saw several positives to take away from the game. “They’re getting it, they used a lot of three hits tonight, we need more time on the court with each other.” Shaver says his team lost four starters and a lot of height to graduation. He has two starters back from last year’s team and four others who saw game time. “Hopefully they will do well, it’s a young team and I have got to remember that.” Shaver is hoping his team can at least win half of its league games this year. Germantown is probably their toughest opponent, but the league has seen some changes this year as well. As previously mentioned, Waterford has left the league, but volleyball has added Bishop Maginn and Hartford, both Class D schools. “Hopefully we can be with them, it’s just practice, practice practice.”[/private]