The Catskill Chronicle

“We’re number one!”

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

Brandon Forchlich, a 17-year old senior at Liberty High, and Liberty alumni Christopher Ramos, a freshman at Genesee College showed their support for the Lady Indians by dressing up as Native Americans.

LIBERTY – The home team fans and a couple of young men dressed up as Native American warriors were just the ticket to spur the Lady Indians soccer squad to a 2-0 victory over the visiting Lady Bulldogs of Sullivan West in Tuesday’s girl’s varsity league soccer match.

Brandon Forchlich, a 17-year old Liberty High senior painted his chest in support of #6 (Jeni Stolow) and #9 (Guadalupe Perez), while alumni Christopher Ramos, 17, a freshman at Genesse College, painted his bare torso with “Liberty”.

Liberty’s Paulina Kleinberger controls the ball as Sullivan West’s Lindsey Bauer and Gabrielle Humleker close in.

The match was played under cloudy skies and on a wet field, the latter weather factor contributing to a few slips and falls on the wet grass, but it didn’t slow down the action as both squads battled to the bitter end.

In the wake of a scoreless first frame, Liberty’s Selena Vargas scored in a scramble in front of the net off a corner kick by Paulina Kleinberger.

In the final seconds of the game, Stefani Davidson fired a hard soft that lofted over the head of the Lady Bulldogs keeper to put the icing on the cake for Liberty, in a play that took the heart out Sullivan West. At least until their next match after the sting of defeat wears off and is replaced by their tough competitive spirit.

”It was a hard fought game…we had our opportunities in the beginning, it was one of those things,” said Mike Ellmauer, coach of the Lady Bulldogs booters (7-3-2 overall, 2-1 league).

Anne Ramos, coach of the Lady Indians (7-2-2 overall, 2-2 league) said her team took to the field with the rallying cry “not in my house”, in reference of Liberty’s losing to the Lady Bulldogs earlier in the season at an away game.

Sullivan West’s Gabrielle Humleker takes the ball up field pursued by Liberty’s Selena Vargas.

After the win.

“We took it back on our home field,” she said. “Sullivan West is very strong, and our girls really had to work hard to counterattack, the defenders worked well together cycling back.”

“They had some very creative plays we didn’t see in the last game that surprised us, but we were able to close them down.”

Liberty posted 18 shots on goal and 10 keeper saves, while Sullivan West recorded equal numbers (18 shots and 10 saves).

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Lady Indians Blank Lady Dawgs 2-0 visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.