Lady Dawgs even Division record

Lady Hambletonians and Lady Comets successively burned by Sullivan West breakout

By RICHARD A. ROSS

FALLSBURG, NY - It’s been a lot of hard work this season for Sullivan West’s Lady Bulldogs, a team in search of its first season win.

But rewards finally manifested themselves in a 7-0 victory over Chester’s Lady Hambletonions on September 19, which imbued Sullivan West with a newfound confidence. They approached their league game with Fallsburg the next day with a chance to even their division record for the first time in recent memory.

Fallsburg was still in search of its first season win and entered the game with only a few subs and key players like Erin Gilmore, Jessica Brignol, Amanda Scuderi and Amanda McAuliff missing in action due to illness, injury or other commitments, including SAT preparation and junior air-corps training. Coach Mandy Biccum sent her diminished squad out to try to leash the Bulldogs with a string rather than a chain.

It didn’t take long for Sullivan West to continue the winning rhythm. Sullivan West’s potent midfielders and fullbacks kept the ball in the Fallsburg end for most of the day. With only 2:43 gone, Jessica Corbett took advantage of a rush in front of the net and sent one by Lady Comet keeper Ashley Hong.

A few balls, mostly sent ahead by Demi Cruz and newcomer Joanna Blanchard, made it down to Sullivan West’s end, but were quickly repelled by the active play of Sullivan West’s fullbacks and midfielders. Laura Stabbert did a fine job of turning a number of shots back northward.

With young players on the field and others out of their usual positions, Fallsburg could not muster a sustained attack, while Sullivan West mounted an assault on most of its possessions.

Melanie Kleiner got the first of her three goals at 8:09 on a breakaway to make it 2-0. For the next 15 minutes, the Lady Comets put up a staunch defense before Sullivan West’s Katrina Graby trapped a ball in the box and fired it home at 24:52 to make it 3-0. The goal came via deft passing by Lindsey Murphy and Kleiner.

Kleiner hit her second goal at 35:43 by out-hustling Fallsburg’s defense and the Dawgs took a 4-0 lead into halftime.

During the break, coach Mike Ellmauer implored his team to not let up on its intensity.

Corbett took him at his word by scoring a goal right off, just like she had done in the first half, making it 5-0. Taking a page from his winning formula the day before, Ellmauer took Kristen Niemann out of the goal and put her upfront. In her stead, Stephanie Meyer became the keeper.

Ellmauer’s tactic paid off. Niemann drilled one at 8:57 against the beleaguered Lady Comets, who had nearly an empty bench to spell their tired players.

Ellmauer moved Sarah Lander upfront and she headed one in at 19:43 to make it 7-0. “Now I can go back to my role playing defense,” Lander said, who admitted that scoring a soccer goal was on her to-do list.

Subsequent goals included Kleiner’s hat trick at 25:92, with an assist from Donna Kelly, and a goal by Tara Brewer at 48:59 on an assist from Jessica Armstrong.

Sullivan West improved its record to 2-6 (1-1 OCIAA) while Fallsburg fell to 0-6 (0-1 OCIAA).

Despite the lopsided score, Fallsburg played hard. They got fine play from returning sweeper Dayna Halprin, fullback veteran Nicole Mclemore, first-year player Sierra Speckler and rookie Blanchard. Expect Fallsburg to break into the win column soon as they get their full force back on the field.

Sullivan West finds its stroke with seven-goal outburst against Chester

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY - Smiles and hugs abounded following Sullivan West’s dominant win over Chester on September 19. Efforts finally paid off for the team that has been struggling to find its chemistry.

In its prior away match against Division IV rival John S. Burke Catholic, Sullivan West defense started to gel. Despite losing 3-0 on two direct kicks and one defensive lapse, the ladies knew something good was brewing.

What surfaced against 3-1 Chester, who had only lost to powerful S.S. Seward, was a unique blend of defense in the midfield, orchestrated by Stevie VanWagenen, Ella McDonald, Jessica Armstrong, Katrina Graby and Liz Ferber, coupled with an upfront attack that saw Sullivan West do to another team what had been done to them, namely taking it forward, getting good passes and bombarding the net with feisty shots.

The scoring began in the first half with a pair of breakaways. Donna Kelly had the first one at 18:09 and Jessica Corbett followed with one at 28:57 to give Sullivan West a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Keeper Kristen Niemann’s defense was stellar.

In the second half, things got going at 20:53 with a goal by Melanie Kleiner. A subsequent corner kick by Kleiner went in as a Chester player inadvertently knocked it over the line. Sullivan West now led 4-0.

Firebrand Corbett had her second goal at 26:55. At that point, Ellmauer took Niemann out of goal and put her upfront, a place she occupies with great distinction. Stephanie Meyer went into goal in her stead and held the shutout the rest of the way.

Meanwhile, Niemann showed her speed and aggressiveness with a pair of goals. The first one came on an assist from Lauren Ellison on a rebound off goalkeeper Lisa Dibona. The next one was a highlight reel shot. Kelly sent a laser corner kick in front of the goal and Niemann went airborne to send it in for the game’s final score.

It was a fitting coda to a great afternoon.

Chester coach Kevin MacEntee gave Sullivan West a lot of credit for wanting the win more than his own team. “We didn’t show up to play today. We didn’t do the fundamental things we needed to do,” he said.

Ellmauer was elated with his team’s effort. “We’ve been struggling, but our girls got a little hungrier. Kristen Niemann had a great day. She is a very talented player. Ellmauer also complimented many other players for their effort and concluded by saying, “I like the makeup of this team. They’re working well together given their blend of experience and youth.”