The Catskill Chronicle

Story and photos by Ted Waddell

LAKE HUNTINGTON – The Chapel Field Lions boy’s varsity booters beat the home team Bulldogs of Sullivan West 3-1 Thursday night under the lights at the Lake Huntington campus, taking a bit of a bite out of the Dawgs homecoming celebration.

Before the start of the non-league match, four proud seniors – Austin Sauer, Tom Russell, Brice Billard and Miguel Marin – stood center field to present bouquets of flowers to their even prouder parents. (see above photo)

Sullivan West’s Richard Lander, a freshman, holds off a Chapel Field defender.

In the wake of a scoreless first frame, the Bulldogs (3-6 overall, 0-3 league) drew first blood as Alex Lander put a shot into the opposition’s goal off a cross from Miguel Marin at 27:59. Then the Lions (5-3-1 overall, 2-1 league) began to roar as they scored a trio of unanswered goals to take the match: Lihn Pham scored at 17:59, Hail Chun at 12:04, and Jessa Capalbo off an assist from Josh Schoch at 8:19.

Sullivan West’s Tyler Groh heads the ball toward the goal.

The defending Dawgs did a pretty good job of containing Capalbo throughout most of the game up until, in a melee in front of Sullivan West’s net, the home team keeper charged out of the goal to intercept a sure as shootin’ shot, and the Lions top gun jumped at a chance to score the final goal of the game.

Some games are won by opportunities seized, others lost by chances gone bad.

“We had our opportunities, but we were too anxious and over aggressive when we had the chances to go to the goal…we had a little too much going,” said Debbie Owen, leader of the pack of local booters. “Our first half was better for us than the second, but in the second half we didn’t command the defensive third well…we didn’t finish in the goal.”

Sullivan West co-captain Chris Ellison battles for possession.

Christian Elizondo, coach of the Lions pride, summed up the match.

“These guys were ready…we knew it was their homecoming and we didn’t want it to be a rollover. We came out a little sluggish in the first half, but we regrouped in the second half.”

Austin Sauer had 21 keeper saves for Sullivan West, while Chapel’s Field’s Luke Solomon was credited with 13 saves.

Shots on goal (SW 13, CF 20). Corner kicks (SW 4, CF 4).

Chapel Field goalie Luke Solomon is known for his leaping saves.

To view more photos or to purchase prints from Lions Nip Dawgs 3-1 visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.