Soccer

Eastern front

Monticello and Fallsburg boys and girls size each other up in preseason soccer scrimmages

By RICHARD A. ROSS

MONTICELLO, NY — Across the reaches of Sullivan County, soccer teams are marshaling their forces for the coming pitch wars that begin in earnest next week. While much of the attention will be on key division match ups, several county crossover games are always noteworthy as they pit rival schools of differing size against each other for annual bragging rights.

One of those key rivalries, the annual square off between Fallsburg and Monticello, occurs as the Class D Comets take on the Class A Panthers. For the boys soccer teams, that fray will be on September 8 at Monticello. Last year, Monticello beat Fallsburg 1-0 on the Comets’ pitch with a second-period goal by Kyle Bennett.

The Panthers were repaying the Comets’ invasion of their turf a year prior, wherein the visitors left with the bragging rights following a 4-0 victory over Monticello.

With the looming prospect of this year’s fray, the boys teams went at each other in a scrimmage on August 27. While both teams’ coaches are the same, with John Maranzana and Darren Kenney still guiding their respective Monticello and Fallsburg teams, many of the players are new.

Fallsburg made it to the sectionals last year and then beat Liberty 4-3 in the quarterfinals before falling to Burke in a hotly contested battle. Kenney’s squad will be without the services of graduating standouts Bill Miller, Darius Buckner and Randy Gilmore. Reggie Bici and Noah Espinoza graduated as well. But the loss this fall of Erik Santos, who has opted to pursue his GED, is a major blow to the program, as is the fact that midfielder/striker Jessi Maldonado hasn’t reported for play as of this writing. Others, however, are returning, including striker Chris Ellito, defender/midfielder Elias Vasquez, midfielder Jose Aguila and defenders Ulises Pacheco and Wesley Castillo.

Needing scoring power to replace the quickness of its 2007 corps, Fallsburg will take its former keeper Colin Whittaker and move him up front. Zac Jones, who was the Comets’ junior varsity keeper, will replace Whittaker in goal. Newcomers include junior midfielder Armin Chavez, junior defender Victor Perez and quick junior striker Julio Deras. Kenney’s squad comes in light on numbers but hungry, quick and dangerous.

Monticello lost its fair share of talent to graduation, too. Gone now are Diego Cabezas, Darren Fraser, Austin Madnick, Nefthaly Leon, Mayor’s Trophy winner Ryan Sonnenschein and keeper Dennis Stafford. Still onboard from last year’s squad are Kyle Bennett, Colin Bunce, Erik Mayberg, Irvin Sorto, Michael Ruggiero, Jacob Rubin, William Watson, Trevor Goldstein and Arton Gashi. Newcomers include Richie Hugel, Chris Benjamin, Anthony D’Abbraccio, Devon Bunce and Dylan Avery.

Coach Maranzana and his assistant Dan Orlan were busy trying to assess which players would best fill key positions as the scrimmage unfolded.

Lady Comets and Lady Panthers look to improve

Last year was a frustrating season for the ladies from Fallsburg and Monticello. Neither team came close to making it to sectionals. In their 2007 match up, the teams played to a 1-1 tie in a game that was one of the better ones for both squads. Monticello ended its season with a victory under the lights against Port Jervis. But really, there was little else to celebrate for either squad. This year, the two teams meet on September 9 at Fallsburg.

While Fallsburg’s coach Amanda Biccum returns to try and steer her team to loftier heights, Monticello will enter this year’s quest with Joe Ebeling at the helm. Ebeling replaces outgoing coach Paul David.

Fallsburg’s numbers are down from a year ago as many of last year’s players are now gone, including keeper Ashley Hong, Erinn Gilmore, Kerri Sheridan, Dayna Halprin, Amanda McAuliffe, Demi Cruz, Brittany Bradford, Samantha Elliot, Jessica Brignoll , Melissa Juarez, Stephanie Rivas, Jillian Alexander and Ebony Dubose.

Returning this year are striker Joanna Blanchard, midfielders Becky Courtney and Susan Moody, Violeta Loarca and striker Sierra Spechler.

Newcomers include sophomores keeper Toni Freeman, defender Cassie Orlan, midfielder Brynn Bertholf, defender Jaunita Sarmeinto and freshmen midfielder Allison Jones, midfielder Valentina Gonzalez and Morgan Vigliante, whose position is not yet determined. Senior Brenda Flores will be a defender. Fallsburg did not have a junior varsity team last year and won’t have one this year either. A number of players have opted to play volleyball this fall in lieu of soccer.

Monticello lost Carly Bulaga, Katie Green, Melissa Stefanuk and Ty’nessa Washington to graduation but comes back strong with senior captains sweeper Chelsea Brennan and midfielder Andrea Drollinger, along with other senior veterans including backup keeper Theresa Fuoto, midfielder Saige Kashan, utility Shamya Koen, forward Shantasia Koen and forward Nyoki Tate. Juniors defender Anastasia Bowen, defender Brittney Bradley, midfielder Mandee Heal, defender Alyson Huffman, forward Kenisha Haynes, forward Krista Mangabang and Sullivan West transfer Wendy Reynolds will be bolstered by sophomores including stopper Taylor Reardon, defender Samantha Stawarz and veteran keeper Jessica Stant. Eighth-grade standout Annette Purcell will play midfield. A year-round soccer player, Purcell and junior-varsity standout Jordan Ferdell play for the Minisink travel team.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of scrimmage pictures.