Ka-Pow-Wow!

Lady Indians open with big win

over Port Jervis as Scherer gets the hat trick upon her return

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIBERTY, NY — The Port Jervis Lady Raiders invaded Liberty on September 5. but a tribe of trusty Indians rallied around a recuperated young phenomenon and sent them packing.

A year ago, Liberty's Rebecca Scherer tore her ACL in summer soccer camp and missed the entire 2006 season. For a girl who aspires to play soccer all year round, that was a devastating blow.

Still, Liberty had a respectable year. Though they didn't make the sectionals, in the season finale they tied rival Sullivan West, keeping them out of sectionals too.

Liberty graduated a host of seniors last year but nine stepped in to fill their places.

With Scherer back in the fold and junior striker Jasmine Walizadeh, seniors Kim McKay, Katie Baxter, Erica Belgard, Brittany Austin, Kelley Lockwood, Kirsten Sauer, Sam Panagakos, Deanna Burgio and Kelsey Rourke, coach Ashley Prouty and her assistant Jenn Bull have weapons galore.

Add in fine young sophomore keeper Taylir Lorino, and backup Sarah Hazelnis. Don't forget freshman Paulina Kleinberger, who plays stellar defense, and call up eighth grader Selina Vargas, who provided an assist on the last of Scherer's three goals.

Port Jervis finished third in its division last season, playing at about .500. Port Jervis wasted no time making a statement against Liberty. After failing to clear the ball out of its own end that gave a couple of shots on goal to Liberty’s Brittany Austin, Port finally broke upfield and put some pressure on the Lady Indians.

A corner kick netted a goal by Alyson Wesley. Heather Hahn was credited with the assist at 36:47 of the first half.

Liberty's defense either repelled Port in midfield or Kleinberger and Burgio stopped them further on.

Lorino defended the cage with great leaps and dives as Liberty was determined to not yield another goal.

At 30:50, Scherer picked up a ball from Walizadeh and dribbled one on one with Port keeper Kaitlin Horton, driving one by her for the tying goal. She did it again at 31:28 to give Liberty the lead it would not relinquish.

A huge scrum in front of the Liberty net early on in the second half looked like it would become the tying goal, but a mass of Liberty defenders repelled the onslaught and cleared the ball.

With fine midfield play, Liberty worked the ball upfield again, and as the defense gravitated towards Scherer, she sent a beautiful cross from the left side to Kleinberger, who rocketed a laser into the net to give Liberty a 3-1 lead.

Late in the half, a great run by Port’s Heather Horton nearly netted a goal, but Lorino retained her blast.

Liberty continued to win most balls in midfield and to control the tempo of the game. At 16:41, Scherer recorded her third goal of the day with an assist from Vargas to make it 4-1. Vargas nearly scored one of her own on a rebound after Walizadeh sent a nice feed to Burgio from the corner.

Liberty (1-0) mustered 22 shots, and Lorino made nine saves. Port (0-1) had 13 saves.

Liberty defeated The Family School on September 7 and hosted Monticello on September 11.

Port Jervis traveled to Sullivan West on September 11.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of photos.