Sports spotlight

Sullivan County, NY

By RICHARD A. ROSS

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The sights and sounds of football, soccer and cross-country permeated the air this past week, the second stanza of the young fall season. In football, host Sullivan West extended its record to 2-0 (1-0 OCIAA) with a resounding 32-8 win over league rival Liberty. SW quarterback Ryan Alsdorf overcame an early interception that led to a quick 8-0 Liberty lead and led his team by rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for another. Defensive standout Mike Schmidt led the way with 11 tackles and two sacks. He has five sacks already this season and may challenge 2006 grad Brian Hubbert’s record of 13. Sullivan West has a short week as it travels to Millbrook on September 17 for another league fray. For an in-depth perspective and photos galore read “Fury in the Mist” on sportsinsightsny.com.

Meanwhile up in Roscoe, Eldred took its green machine on the road against the much-improved LMR DevilCats. A game that was close at halftime morphed into a big Eldred margin of victory in this first encounter (non-league) with a team that figures to be a strong contender in Class D this season. Eldred won the game 47-12 and improved to 2-0. Eldred travels to Liberty on September 18.

Sullivan West hosted its only cross-country meet of the season and its girls defeated Monticello and Liberty with Rianne Erlwein setting the pace. Monticello won the boys race by edging out Liberty, which still had a couple of runners ineligible. Monticello’s Thomas Gonzalez and Dave Wilbur were one-two respectively. Reed Scott was the Westies’ top finisher. He took fifth.

In girls soccer, both Sullivan West and Liberty got a taste of being overpowered by dominant teams. The Lady Bulldogs fell to Class A Cornwall 7-0, while Eldred was victimized by undefeated Tri-Valley 8-1. Eldred’s tough schedule didn’t abate as they were blanked by Tuxedo 4-0. This week features a key league match up for Sullivan West as they host arch rival Liberty on September 17. Eldred’s league campaign took it to rival Livingston Manor on September 15.

In boys soccer, the Bulldogs hoped to shake off their first loss of the season, a 5-1 defeat to Cornwall, by playing their brand of soccer against visiting league rival Liberty on September 16. Eldred traveled to Chapel Field for a league match up on September 14 before grappling with a pair of non-league games that they hoped to at least gain a split in. First up was Tri-Valley on September 17 and then Sullivan West on September 18.

In volleyball, Sullivan West garnered a league victory by blanking Fallsburg in straight sets.