Wallkill Valley Soccer update
Gladiators On Sunday, the Wallkill Valley Gladiators (U-11 Boys) (5-0-0) matched up against Skylands United (2-2-1) in Frankford Park. With the second half of the season starting, Wallkill was ready to start marching through the standings once again to defend its first-place status. The early minutes of the game proved that Skylands was not about to roll over and just let Wallkill take this game easily. As the game progressed up and down the pitch during the early stages, possession was close to even and both teams were struggling to find a rhythm of attack. At six minutes into the game, Wallkill struck first, however with Zach Conklin bouncing a shot off the left post to give the Gladiators an early lead. Both teams were playing great in their defensive third and stifling the opposing offenses for much of the first half. At the 25-minute mark, Skylands struck back on a breakaway to tie the game up at 1-1 going into halftime.
The second half began with Wallkill pushing hard up the field and pressuring the Skylands backline. The Skylands keeper continued to make spectacular saves and play an extremely aggressive style of play to keep the game tied. However, at the 42nd minute of the game, Zach Conklin struck again with a dribbling effort even Messi would have been impressed with. In beating three defenders as well as the keeper, he put Wallkill back into the lead. Skylands continued to push forward and mounted some threatening attacks, but the Wallkill defense came through again and again. As the clock wound down, the Gladiators could smell a victory was within grasp. With only three minutes left in the game, Douglas Galate buried a beautiful header off a corner kick by Tyler Bilheimer into the back of the net to seal the match: Wallkill Valley 3 - Skylands United 1.
The Gladiators' next match is away against West Morris on May 20 at 3:30 p.m.
Wallkill Valley is always searching for new players of all ages with soccer experience to join the club. For contact information for the various boys and girls teams, check out the Wallkill Valley Soccer Club at wallkillvalleysoccerclub.com
Wolves Two weeks, two wins! It has been an exciting two weeks for the Wallkill Valley Wolves. On May 6, the Wolves were at home playing against the Pomptom Lakes/Riverdale Inferno. Both teams played aggressively and were evenly matched. Both the offense and the defense did their best to make sure the team came out the victors. In the end, their hard work would pay off as the final score was Wolves 5 and Inferno 3. Goals were scored by AJ Rosario with one. Connor Rimli with one and Eric Barcyzk with an amazing hat trick with three goals.
This week, the boys gave their moms a wonderful Mother's Day gift in the form of another victory. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day as the Wolves headed to Hackettstown to face the Hackettstown Fury. Goals were scored by Eric Barcyzk with one, Connor Rimli with two and Marvin Kuryala with two. Trevor Washer scored his first goal with the Wolves and then took over as goalie toward the end of the game. Josh Abrahams showed his many talents by keeping the Fury to one goal and then scoring one himself as he came out of the goal and played offense for the last part of the game. The final score was 7-1.
Next week, the Wolves are at home and face the Summit Dynamo.
Lady Angels The Wallkill Valley Lady Angels (U-9) celebrated their first win of the spring season against the Long Valley Eagles this past Sunday. In the first half, striker Carly Fitzmorris scored after receiving a cross from wing Madison Gunderman. Striker Kyra Morris scored shortly thereafter with an assist from Fitzmorris to bring the score to 2-0 at halftime. In the second half, the Long Valley Eagles came back strong and connected early to bring the score to 2-1. Always fast and nimble, defenders Beth Deere and Emma Deere successfully broke up numerous scoring attempts by Long Valley. Midfielders, Mia Kronski, Olivia Rispoli and Samantha Larsen fought hard for control of the center field. Fitzmorris scored again with another excellent pass from Gunderman to bring the score to 3-1. Midfielder/striker Hailey Munoz strategically placed Lady Angel awarded direct kicks inside the 18 yard line. With an assist from wing Lindsay Bertoa, Fitzmorris scored a third time for her second hat trick of the season to bring the score to 4-1. Long Valley scored moments before the second half ended for a final score of 4-2. Goalie Megan Carr had six saves in the first half and nine saves in the second half.
The Lady Angels travel to Randolph next Sunday to play the Randolph Thunder at 4 p.m.
Devils The Wallkill Valley Devils (U-14 Boys) asked their moms to join them in East Hanover for a game against the East Hanover Eagles on Sunday, May 13. It was a hot and sunny afternoon, and the only thing better than spending time outdoors watching a soccer game was to watch the boys win, and that they did.
The first half was a real battle and the Eagles continued to apply pressure, but the goal tending of Jason McWilliams and strong defensive play from the back four kept them scoreless. At 38 minutes into the first half, the Devils worked the ball downfield and threaded through the Eagles defense. Kyle Mowles received a cross from Sebastian Roman and put it past the Eagles keeper for the first goal of the game.
The Devils came out strong in the second half and started to take control of the game. A second goal was scored by Sebastian Roman after a steal from an Eagles defender. A third goal was scored off a corner kick from Evin Cooper to Carmine Marchionda, who put it directly into the net. The team now stands at 4-2.
Lady Rangers The wallkill Valley U-17 Lady Rangers hosted the Randolph Avengers on Sunday, May 13. The Lady Rangers were first to strike in the 10th minute of the first half when Gemma Fresinger sent a through ball to Keeley McGregor, who buried the ball in the back of the net. The Lady Rangers went into half leading with the score 1-0. Coming out strong 2 minutes into the second half Brielle Hilbert crossed the ball at the 18 allowing Taylor Carr to get a foot on the ball putting it into the net. Wallkill never let up Morgan PenQue had 2 goals at the 25th minute of the second half and again at the 35th minute, Brielle Hilbert had the first assist and Paige PenQue Had the second assist. The Wallkill defense did a stellar job throughout the entire game allowing the offense to score. The defense was led by Morgan PenQue, Alexa Batelli, Emma Anderson and Gemma Fresinger. Keeper Alexis Mendes had an outstanding game with 15 saves. The game ending 4-0 Wallkill.
The Lady Rangers will travel to Vernon on May 20 to play the Lady Vikings. Kick off at 3 p.m. at Maple Grange sports complex.
Warriors The Wallkill Valley Warriors deadlocked the Denville Hub Red Devils 1-1 Sunday. Joy Miladinovich was able to tie up the game in the first half with a header. The Red Devils almost had the chance to jump ahead when a hand ball was called in the box. Patricia Stecher saved the game when the penalty kick came soaring towards the top of the net.
Come support the Warriors next Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host the Randolph Wave.
U9 Raiders The Wallkill Valley Raiders played for their fifth game of the season on Sunday, May 14 at home. This time the Raiders were facing the Kinnelon Pythons and came out with a tie, their third of the season.
At the beginning of the game the players presented their mothers (or attending fathers) with a Mothers Day flower to show their love and appreciation.
The Raiders came out playing with Nicolai Rodriguez, Jack Lally, Hunter Nolan, Mako Icsman, Daniel Galate, Skyler Hanisch, Anthony Da Silva and Lukas Wiloski. The Raiders played a very exciting game generating several dangerous plays in the opponents goal, but it was the visiting team who scored first and ended the first half 1-0.
Ryan Cunniffe, Justin Dubinski, Mathew Cespedes, Nicholas Nolan and Eduardo Piedrasanta came out from the bench during the game to give the Raiders starting lineup a break and to keep the offense and defense going. During the second half the Raiders played their best and were able to display better teamwork and more coordination in their plays. The efforts from the Raiders gave them the chance to tie the game with a good play and shot from Daniel Galate.
Next game for the Raiders is Friday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. visiting the Bridgewater Titans field.