By Doug La Rocque
For the third year in a row the Berlin Mountaineers wear the title of Central Hudson Valley League Champions, the honor earned on Friday with a 4-1 victory over the Loudonville Christian Eagles. [private] Before a large crowd at the Mountaineer Field, Ryan Willis again put Berlin on his back, scoring three times and being credited with the fourth goal as the last Berlin player to touch the ball before the Eagles put it in their own net. The four tallies also give Willis the Boys record for the most goals scored in one year, with 33. This breaks the old record of 32 established by Matt Shorter in 1977.
The Eagles, who had been tied with Berlin for the league lead coming into the game, put the pressure on the Mountaineer defenders for a good portion of the second half, forcing Berlin keeper Sam Mikit to make several outstanding saves to preserve the victory. Earlier in the week, Berlin won a close contest with the Chatham Panthers, Dan Bassallo scoring the game winning goal on an assist from Willis early in the second half.
Photo by Doug La Rocque
Willis netted Berlin’s first score on a misplay by the Panthers in front of their own net. Chatham scored on a penalty kick with about six minutes’ left, and the Mountaineer defense and keeper Mikit again put the clamps on any further scoring chances by the Panthers.
Friday may well have been Berlin’s last home game of the season, and Berlin’s nine seniors were honored by their school and coach Art Schmich. These seniors were one of the reasons Schmich had such high hopes for this year’s team, telling The Eastwick Press before the season began, he was counting on their experience and leadership.
Berlin Moves
Back Up to Class C
The declining enrollment in the Berlin Central School District moved the Mountaineers into Class D last year, where they were upset by Northville’s Falcons in the opening round of the sectionals. Berlin will not get the chance for redemption, as the shrinking pattern of enrollment was reversed this year, and the increase in student population has again placed Berlin in Class C. The Mountaineers are seeded 10th and draw a first round bye. They open sectional play Thursday at Cambridge at 3 pm.
Lady Mountaineers
Set to Begin Sectionals On The Road
Berlin’s Girls Soccer team also had a fine year, finishing 8-2 in the CHVL, good enough for second place. Their only league losses coming to the champion Emma Willard Jesters. Berlin won both its contests this past week, the first a 9-0 blanking of the Heatly Hornets. It was the fourth shutout of the year for junior goal keeper Haley Maxon, who was called upon to make 9 saves. Berlin’s All Time goal scoring leader, Jewel Pietrzak, continues to add to her staggering numbers, placing five more behind the Hornet’s keeper herself. Young Gabby Mazzeo has also been racking up goals of late, gathering three more for the hat trick. Riley Kells tallied Berlin’s other score. It was senior night Monday as the Lady Mountaineers wrapped up their home schedule against Doane Stuart’s Thunder Chickens. Berlin recorded the 4-1 victory with Pietrzak having yet another multi-goal game, netting three of Berlin’s tallies. Mazzeo again finding the back of the net as well for Berlin’s other goal. The Lady Mountaineers open their sectional campaign on Saturday evening at Stillwater, a 7 pm contest under the lights.
The Eastwick Press will have complete coverage of Berlin’s Section 2 games as well as featuring the accomplishments of the Girls Seniors and outstanding players in next week’s edition.
Cross Country
Continues A Very
Strong Season
The Berlin Boys hopes for an undefeated season in WASAREN League play were dashed this past week, when they fell to Greenwich by a single point. They were able to get by both Tamarac and Stillwater in the multi-team meet. Nick Styer continued his outstanding season, finishing 2nd overall in a time of 17:21, followed closely by Alex Flowers in 3rd place with a time of 18:30. The Girl’s continue to show marked improvement, also besting the Bengals and the Warriors but finishing second to the Witches. Berlin was led by Cayla Hungerford who finished 8th overall.
A Saturday invitational saw the boys without their top runner Styles and a healthy Ryan Gosse, but Coach Josh Santarcangelo praised the back end of the team for stepping up to the task. Nolan Jones and Jack Flowers missed breaking the 20-minute mark by just three seconds, while Malachi Ritter posted a time of 20:59. On the Girls side of the ledger, Melanie deLaurentis broke her previous course time by 1:30. Santarcangelo said Haley Chaykowki-Jewitt is returning to form and praised a strong effort by Sarah French.
The teams compete in the WASAREN league championship meet next Tuesday at the Saratoga State park. Berlin’s Boys are looking to bring home their first league title in more than six years.[/private]