Boys’ preseason soccer

Yellowjackets and Bulldogs work up a sweat

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ELDRED, NY — The good news for Sullivan West coach Joe Ebeling and Eldred coach Joe Rubino was that their somewhat undermanned soccer squads played hard and showed good teamwork during the September 3 scrimmage between the Class B Bulldogs and the Class D Yellowjackets.

Both coaches have had to make calls to kids this summer in an attempt to field a team of more than just the bare minimum number of players. Ebeling said that only 12 players showed up for his first day of practice, though the numbers have since increased to about 15. Rubino has had a few no-shows, reducing his squad to about 14.

Sullivan West showed fine cohesive play and was able to keep the ball in Eldred’s end during most of the scrimmage. Good anticipation of offensive players’ movement brought on a number of early goals. Johnathan Reynolds broke the scoreless tie with a quick move on goal, beating Eldred’s goalie Greg Fotiades with a kick into the left corner.

Joe Winski returns to play for the Bulldogs this year. He is the team’s only senior and has not played since he was a freshman. Winski had a nice goal on a pass from Ross Reynolds. Ebeling noted that his team was returning almost all of its defensive players from last year.

The Bulldogs looked aggressive, adding goals by Kienan Garn and Kevin Cappiello.

Eldred showed quickness to the ball but the team’s offense failed to spread out on breakaways, making saves for Bulldog goalie Joe Layman routine.

Eldred opened its regular season on September 7 at the Family School, and the Yellowjackets played at home against Liberty on September 9. Sullivan West got things going at Tri-Valley on September 7 and played host to Monticello on September 9. See next week’s TRR for coverage of these games and more.