By Doug La Rocque It was three up and three more down for the Berlin Boys’ soccer team this past week. First to fall were the Heatly Hornets, victims of a 10 goal barrage by the Mountaineers, who got three more goals off the foot of Ryan Willis.[private] Addison Colin has also joined the scoring parade of late, with another three tallies, while Berlin got one goal each from Nick Tripepi, Viktor Gerkman, Dan Bassallo, and Tyler Kellar. Berlin keepers Andy Zlotnick posted 5 saves and Sam Mikit 3 more in Berlin’s 10-3 win. Next up was the New Lebanon Tigers, who always play Berlin tough. Ryan Willis scored the first goal to give the Mountaineers a 1-0 lead at the half. Hunter Harrison knocked in a direct kick from about 40 yards out late in the second half, an insurance goal coach Art Schmich’s team would need, as the Tigers scored with three minutes left to cut Berlin’s lead in half. That however, is how the game would finish, with the Boys posting a 2-1 win. Coach Schmich had high praise for his keeper, Sam Mikit, who he says played an excellent game in goal to preserve the victory.
Photo by Doug La Rocque
Monday afternoon Anthony Santon scored the tying goal for the Mountaineers in their contest with the Germantown Clippers, Addison Colin notched the game winner, and Ryan Willis scored twice more as Berlin posted the 4-1 win. Sam Mikit was not really tested in this contest, as the keeper posted 6 saves.
Berlin’s only blemish on their record in league play was the loss to Loudonville Christian, an upcoming rematch on Berlin’s home turf that the Mountaineers are looking forward to.
The Lady Mountaineers Post Two More League Wins as Well The Berlin Girls squad posted two shutouts in Central Hudson Valley League play this past week, the first an 8-0 win over Heatly, on the Green Island school’s home turf. Amanda Despart scored her first of the season, Gabby Mazzeo had one tally, young Racheal Bortnick netted two and of course Jewel Pietrzak continues to pile onto to her school record, with another four goals in the contest. Coach Fleda Berschwinger told The Eastwick Press it was another strong performance by her defense and keeper Haley Maxon, who posted 11 saves in the victory.
A loss to the Cambridge Indians in a non-league tilt was sandwiched between another blanking of league competition. Cambridge, a step up in class for Berlin, recorded the 5-1 win, but Parker Crandall recorded her first varsity goal in the game.
Monday afternoon, the Lady Mountaineers shutdown the Rensselaer Rams 6-0. Rylie Kells scored twice for Berlin, Jewel Pietrzak netted three more and Amanda Despart scored once again for the victors. Haley Maxon was never really tested in the contest, recording five saves in yet another shutout for the team and the Junior keeper.
It’s a Good Year For Berlin’s Harriers Berlin’s Boys Cross Country team is off to a great start, currently 3-0 in the CHVL, and recently finishing 3rd out of 11 schools in the Fort Plain invitational.
The Mountaineers have two runners with state rankings. Nick Styer is currently ranked 18th and Ryan Gosse 53rd. Alex Flowers has also had strong showings for Berlin. The team is currently ranked 17th in New York State among Class D schools and Coach Josh Santarcangelo feels they have the potential to be Section II champs.
His Girls squad is young but he feels they are making progress.
He mentions Cayla Hungerford in particular, who, he said, ran her best race of the year last week at Hoosic Valley, finishing 4th in a time of 21:45.
Girls Volleyball Post Their First Win It is also a young squad that represents Berlin on the volleyball court, but Coach Paul Slaver feels they are learning and coming together as a team. They recently topped the New Lebanon Tigers for their only victory of the season.
Photo by Doug La Rocque
Their record now stands at 1-7. Coach Slaver said he sees improvement in each game and is hoping they will soon put a few more wins under the belt.[/private]