Girls Soccer

Eldred finds a way to win

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ROSCOE, NY — “Our motto for this year is find a way to win,” said Eldred coach Jolene Porter after the Yellowjackets (5-5, 3-2 OCIAA) roared back September 29 with three second-half goals to garner a Division VI win over Roscoe (1-8, 1-3 OCIAA).

Backing up those words represented the challenge for Eldred, which was playing without dominant fullback Jessica Cherry, who suffered a concussion in a recent game against Fallsburg. It was the second concussion the senior has suffered in her career. On at least three other occasions, she has sustained less severe bumps to the head.

With Cherry missing, Eldred had trouble clearing the ball in the first half against a Roscoe team that looked fired up and aggressive. Kendra Harris took a rebound off the left post and drove in the first goal less than three minutes into the game. Stacy Duffy added a second goal with an assist from Harris. Eldred’s Kim French answered back, but the Blue Devils led 2-1 at the half.

Coach Porter challenged her team to be more aggressive and the Yellowjackets took her at her word. Eldred put together three goals in a little more than five minutes. Jess Bisland’s shot hit the right post and Brittany Borstelmann was there to bang it home. The ’Jackets went ahead when Sasha Brush got loose on a breakaway and drove a shot past goalie Kasse Brock. The final goal was tallied by Becky Hallock, at 25:01, to give the Yellowjackets the 4-2 lead.

Cherry returned to action on October 1 and played in Eldred’s 3-2 win over Livingston Manor. In that contest, Eldred netted goals by Hallock, Bisland and French. Manor scored on shots by Jacki Trotti and Ashley Taggart. By the end of the week, Eldred’s record stood at 6-5 (4-2 OCIAA) while Manor’s fell to 2-5 (2-4 OCIAA).