Hoosic Valley High School's Janelle Stannard pushes the ball downfield as Stillwater's Kristen Brewster pursues during Wednesday's Wasaren League game at Stillwater. (Photos by J.S. Carras - The Record).

STILLWATER — The girls soccer team at Hoosic Valley High School is on a mission this season – the Indians are in pursuit of the first Wasaren League regular season title in school history – and so were Mollie Gilchrist and Janelle Stannard in the final 20 minutes of Wednesday’s game at Stillwater.

Gilchrist crossed a pass right in front of Stillwater goalkeeper Lizz Morris and Stannard slid through traffic and kicked the ball into the net for the go-ahead goal with 5:44 to play as Hoosic Valley posted a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Warriors.

“It was the most beautiful cross ever,” laughed Stannard.

“She had been making that run all day and all season and I just knew if I could kind of give it a little cross she would finish on it,” said Gilchrist.

With the teams tied at halftime, Stannard and Stillwater’s Brooke Ferrell scored first half goals, Stillwater’s Sarahann Mistretta scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick with 22:21 remaining.

Gilchrist answered fewer than four minutes later with a right-footed blast past Stillwater’s Lizz Morris for Hoosic Valley’s equalizer.

Still, it was Gilchrist’s perfect pass and Stannard’s smooth finish that lifted Hoosic Valley (9-2-0, 11-2-0) to its second come-from-behind victory over Stillwater (3-5-3, 3-6-4) this season.

“I’ve had Mollie with me for five years and Janelle for three and they’ve gotten to know each other and gotten to know the moves,” said Hoosic Valley head coach Joel Beecroft. “They talk, they practice it and on that last goal, you couldn’t draw it up any prettier than that.”

Stillwater’s senior goalkeeper, Lizz Morris, made 15 saves. Hoosic Valley freshman netminder Samantha Carlo stopped five shots.

Stillwater's Erica Nichols and Hoosic Valley's Mollie Gilchrist battle for control of the ball during Wednesday's Wasaren League game at Stillwater.

Gilchrist has scored 22 goals this season and Stannard has tallied 13.

Hoosic Valley, which was ranked No. 15 in the New York State Sportswriters Association Class B poll, will host Class C’s No. 13 Cambridge (8-2-1, 9-3-1) Friday at 4:15 p.m. in another Wasaren League showdown.

“We’ve gotten really good this year at being resilient and keeping our mental focus during the games,” Gilchrist said. “Come from behind victories have been our thing, unfortunately.”

For video highlights from Wednesday's game, visit www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

The gymnasium at Hoosic Valley High School is practically wallpapered with banners touting the success of the girls basketball and softball programs, but the Indians have never won a regular season league title before. That goal is what has motivated the team all season long, even as basketball season looms.

“It’s soccer season, not basketball season,” Gilchrist said. “I think that everyone wants to be here and play every game.”

“We have a strong sting of athletes on the team,” said Stannard. “I think we’re all in it this year. We want it more. We’re all competitive.”

The Indians need just two more wins to tie the school record and their recent New York State ranking was a first in program history.

Beecroft joked that he will be crying at graduation – Gilchrist, Stannard and Haley Culver are the three seniors on the roster – but he has also been thrilled with the contributions from his underclassmen.

Hoosic Valley's Allie Robert balances the ball on her forehead as Stillwater's Erica Nichols looks on during Wednesday's Wasaren League girls soccer game.

“I’ve got 15 kids and it takes every one of them to make this thing work,” he said. “Some of them don’t get an awful lot of playing time, but they know if I need them for two minutes, or if I need them for three minutes, that’s going to be it and so far, we’ve lived with that and they’ve accepted that and played well.

“It’s nice. You ask them to do something and they just go do it. It’s just a really nice group of kids. They want to play hard and make something of the year.”

HOOSIC VALLEY 3, STILLWATER 2

Hoosic Valley (9-2-0, 11-2-0) 1 2 — 3
Stillwater (3-5-3, 3-6-4) 1 1 — 2
Scoring: HV: Stannard 2-0, Gilchrist 1-2. S: Ferrell 1-0, Mistretta 1-0.
Goalie saves: HV: Carlo, 5. S: Morris, 15.
Corner kicks: HV: 5. S: 2.

Follow OTR: Twitter
Facebook
YouTube Channel
RSS feed for links to blog posts as soon as they are published
Send an email to OTR
High school football central on www.troyrecord.com

(Throughout the fall season, I'll be posting the local roundup as soon as it starts to trickle in every night. It will be updated as we received more scores).


The Record


STILLWATER — Tamarac High School’s boys golf team snapped Stillwater’s 41-match winning streak in the 2010 Wasaren League season opener at Saratoga Lake Golf Course by a score of 3-2.
Stillwater’s Connor Jones and John Hoin were medalists with rounds of 44, but Tamarac’s Dan O'Brien and Ben Gardenier (rounds of 46) and Anthony Giamei (47) paved the way for the Bengals’ team victory.

TAMARAC 3, STILLWATER 2

Tamarac scores: Dan O'Brien 46, Ben Gardenier 46, Brendan Griffin 51, Jimmy Hudson 50, Anthony Giamei 47, Matt Whalen 52.
Stillwater scores: Conor Jones 44, Robert Stickney 49, John Hoin 44, Jared MacMurray 67, Shane Quackenbush 49, Thaddus Piskutz 68.
Hoosic Valley 5, Greenwich 0: Kevin White fired a round of 40 and Frank Acker added a score of 43 as the Indians topped the Witches in Wasaren League action Monday at Battenkill County Club.
Greg Scott paced Greenwich with a round of 40.
CCHS wins Big 10 tri-match: Corey Purcell and Evan Stewart both shot rounds of 43 for the Catholic Central High School golf team Monday afternoon at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course, leading the Crusaders to Big 10 Conference boys golf victories over Amsterdam and Troy High.
Bill Schnellebaecher paced Troy High with a 43 and Kevin Ottati shot a 43 for Amsterdam. Par is 36.
Catholic Central scored 181 as a team, followed by Amsterdam (184) and Troy (192).
Albany Academy 152, Fonda-Fultonville 242: Matt DeVito and Jay Puleo shot low rounds of 38 to pace the Albany Academy boys golf team to a non-league victory over Fonda-Fultonville by a score of 154-242 at Rolling Hills Country Club.
Thomas Cassidy and Justin Brock added rounds of 39 for the Cadets.

Follow OTR: Twitter
Facebook
iTunes video podcast
RSS feed for links to blog posts as soon as they are published
Send an email to OTR

(Blogger's note: Former Record reporter Brien Bouyea covered the three Saratoga County schools on our list for the Kickoff 2010 section. I will post his photos and a few brief notes for these schools, but since I was not on campus, I do not have video).

STILLWATER --Stillwater High School's football team may be young in 2010 - the roster features just six seniors - but the Warriors are already a veteran squad.

Many of the players returning saw a good deal of playing time in 2009, a season in which the Warriors went 1-8. But with a dangerous mix of size, speed and talent, the Warriors will be looking to challenge for their first playoff berth since 2006.

For more on this story, be sure to read Brien Bouyea's story in the Kickoff 2010 section, which hits newsstands inside The Record on Thurs., Sept. 2.

Stillwater linemen work on their blocking technique during a recent practice at Stillwater High School. (Photos by Brien Bouyea - for The Record).

The Stillwater football coaches always have plenty of toys on hand for their players to use in practice. Here, linemen attack dummies during a drill. (Brien Bouyea photo).

Head coach Vince Barber oversees his team during a conditioning drill on Stillwater's second-year turf field during a recent practice. (Brien Bouyea photo).

Stillwater playbook
COACH: Vince Barber
STARTERS RETURNING: 6 offense, 5 defense
2009 RECORD: 1-8
NICKNAME: Warriors
OFFENSE: I and Pro sets/Spread
DEFENSE: 4-4
LAST PLAYOFF GAME: 2006
LAST SECTION II TITLE: None
DIVISION: Class C, North



At left, Shawn McNeil runs with the football during a drill in a recent practice. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record).
 

 

Stillwater, 2009 game-by-game results
CAMBRIDGE, L 43-0
Tamarac, L 27-7
MECHANICVILLE, L 40-7
Hoosick Falls, L 51-6
GRANVILLE, L 38-7
Corinth, L 46-0
SCHUYLERVILLE, L 34-0
SALEM, W 27-23*
Cairo-Durham, L 34-21*
*Crossover games
Home games in CAPS


At right, quarterback Nick Dunn looks to make a handoff in the Stillwater backfield. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Stillwater head coach Vince Barber talks to his linemen during practice. (McMahon photo).

Stillwater, 2009 stats review

Rushing, Att, Yds., Avg., TDs

Nick Dunn, 31, 118, 3.8, 0

Passing, Comp., Att., Yds., Avg., TDs

Dan Palmeri, 24, 66, 263, 11.0, 2

Receiving, No., Yds., Avg., TDs

Shawn McNeil, 9, 169, 18.8, 2

Scoring, TD, 2-pt, PAT, FG, Tot.

Shawn McNeil, 2, 0, 0, 0, 12

Junior lineman Matt Campion (at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds) is set to be a force in the trenches for the Warriors this season. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Stillwater 2010 Roster
No., Player, Yr., Ht., Wt.
4, Nick Dunn, Jr., 5-11, 155
5, Dan Benoit, Fr., 5-8, 187
7, Sean McNeil, So., 6-3, 180
10, John Danison, So., 5-9, 145
11, Liam Kane, So., 5-8, 155
12, Sam Nolan, Jr., 5-5, 170
15, Brian McEntegger, Jr., 5-8, 178
17, Rick McBride, Jr., 6-1, 175
19, Sean Ritter, Sr., 6-0, 160
20, Brandon Rozowitz, Fr., 5-7, 150
23, Dylan Hood, Jr., 5-9, 160
32, Brett Smith, Jr., 5-11, 170
34, Hunter Lape, Fr., 5-5, 140
38, Alex Stewart, So., 6-0, 180
45, Aaron Tanner, Sr., 5-8, 175
50, Dan Ciullo, Sr., 5-7, 183
51, Connor Burton, Sr., 6-0, 205
52, Dillion Posporelis, Fr., 5-8, 158
54, Kris Brennan, Sr., 5-8, 225
55, Brandon Salvi, Sr., 6-0, 270
57, Tyler Washock, Jr., 5-11, 165
62, Tyler Kondas, So., 5-7, 175
63, David Millard, So., 5-8, 255
64, Ryan Ray, Jr., 5-7, 198
65, Mike Dansforth, Jr., 6-0, 280
68, Tony Rocco Turrigilo, Jr., 6-2, 270
70, Ryan Shields, Jr., 5-10, 175
73, Mike Mayo, So., 6-0, 195
74, Adam Pipino, So., 5-10, 195
75, Bobby Morris, Fr., 5-8, 180
77, Zach Ryan, Jr., 6-0, 278
78, Matt Campion, Jr., 6-6, 300

Stillwater, 2010 schedule
Saturday Sept. 4, at Granville, 1 p.m.
Friday Sept. 10, vs. Ichabod Crane, 7 p.m.
Friday Sept. 17, at Lake George, 7 p.m.
Friday Sept. 24, vs. Corinth, 7 p.m.
Friday Oct. 1, at Mechanicville, 7 p.m.
Friday Oct. 8, vs. Greenwich, 7 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 16, vs. Hoosic Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22/29, Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA

--
Keep checking back on the blog for a training camp report posted every day between now and opening day of the high school football season on Thurs., Sept. 2. The schools will be posted in no particular order, so please be patient if you don't see your school right away.

Also keep your eyes open for our 48-page preview section - Kickoff 2010 - which hits the newsstands inside The Record on Thurs., Sept. 2. It will feature 21 team previews, columns, feature stories, statistics and pictures to preview the upcoming 2010 high school football season.

Previous training camp reports:
No. 1, Lansingburgh High School
No. 2, Cohoes High School
No. 3, Watervliet High School
No. 4, Columbia High School
No. 5, Catholic Central High School; head coach Ray Gaston update
No. 6, Christian Brothers Academy
No. 7, Rensselaer High School
No. 8, Hoosick Falls High School
No. 9, Averill Park High School 
No. 10, Tamarac High School
No. 11, Troy High School
No. 12, Bishop Maginn High School
No. 13, La Salle Institute
 

Follow OTR: Twitter
Facebook
iTunes video podcast
RSS feed for links to blog posts as soon as they are published
Send an email to OTR

I just spoke with Stillwater Athletic Director Michael Kardash, who confirmed that Stillwater will indeed field varsity, junior varisty and modified teams this fall.

The Warriors have had small numbers in the past, but turnout has been strong this year and Stillwater is looking to get back on track.

The rumor that Stillwater was dropping the program may have stemmed from the school's webpage, which listed all traditional sports except varsity and junior varsity football. Kardash said the school has a new website and a new webmaster and they're still working out the kinks, which explains the oversight.

Follow OTR: Twitter
Facebook
iTunes video podcast
RSS feed for links to blog posts as soon as they are published
Send an email to OTR

Share |

Watervliet High School senior guard Nick Durocher navigates around the baseline during Tuesday's Section II Class B opening round game against Stillwater. Durocher walked off George Mardigan Court for the final time as a winner. (Photos by Tom Killips - The Record).

Nick Durocher admitted that he didn't play the greatest game of his career Tuesday night, but accomplished two big feats.
One, Watervliet advanced to the second round of the postseason for the 36th consecutive season, topping Stillwater, 68-52 in a Section II Class B opening round contest.
Two, Durocher and fellow senior Kevin Pontore left George Mardigan Court as winners.

"We know it. Every time we put on the Watervliet uniform we know we have to represent well" said Nick Durocher. "The legacy that Watervliet has, with all of the Colonial Council championships and the Section II championships, we know we can’t let the school down wearing the jersey."

With Watervliet scheduled to open its brand-new gymnasium in December 2010 or January 2011, this may well have been the final postseason boys basketball game played in the Harry Tucker gymnasium.

Junior guard Devonte Gleason hangs in midair en route to a game-high 17 points for the Cannoneers. His younger brother, Jordan Gleason, making his first varsity start, added 14 points, 13 rebounds and six steals.

The Cannoneers have had their share of hard knocks this season, as CJ Ashline and Tyler McLeod, two key contributors for Watervliet, were dismissed from the team for "Off-the-court things," so said Watervliet head coach Walter Bowden.

A door was opened in the starting lineup and Jordan Gleason stepped right up to the challenge.

"He’s been stepping up all year, rebounding, and stuff like that," Durocher said. "He’s ready. I knew he was. He came out real loose. He picked up the slack for us because we lost our wingman."

Watervliet sophomore Brandon Legault braces himself for a shot attempt amid a sea of Stillwater defenders Tuesday night.

Watervliet, the No. 2 seed in the Class B tournament, will need its bench players to step up down the stretch if it wishes to contend for a Section II title.

The Cannoneers will face No. 7 Broadalbin-Perth Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in a Class B quarterfinal.

"We are happy to get the win, but it’s depressing in a way because it’s our last home game," Pontore said. "But only good can come from here, hopefully."

--
For the full story, pick up Wednesday's edition of The Record.

Brandon Pattenaude works on his technique during a recent practice. (Photos by Mike McMahon - The Record).

The Stillwater Warriors have a lot to look forward to in 2009. Instead of their unique and rustic old home field, the Warriors will play Friday night games under the lights on a brand-new FieldTurf surface.

After a disappointing 3-6 campaign in 2008 - head coach Vince Barber refused to give me 2008 statistics, saying they are only thinking about 2009 - the Warriors have reason to be optimistic. They have five starters returning on both sides of the ball and have drawn a few extra players out for the sport.

Tim Daigle, who played as a youngster, is back on the field after coaches and players urged him to join the team for his senior season.

"To be honest, ever since modified, Coach Barber and all of the Athletic Directors and Phys Ed teachers have been nagging me to come out and get out here," Daigle said. "I figured it was about that time."

Justin Deuel went from the struggles of the football field to starring on the basketball court for the Warriors last winter and while he admitted the football and basketball teams are two separate groups, he thinks some of that momentum can carry over to the gridiron.

"Everybody is more excited and wants to do well," Deuel said. "Once you have a brand-new field and it’s beautiful, you don’t want to go down in the gutters. You want to have a good season. Everyone is working hard and hopefully we’re going to do well."

"Any time you get new facilities is exciting, but I’ve been telling them we’re not playing for anything physical," said head coach Vince Barber. "We’re playing for pride. We got humiliated pretty good last year and it was probably the low point of the five years we’ve been here. We have a lot of pride and respect the game this year."

Former head coach Pat Erano is back this year to assist head coach Vince Barber (background).

I'll be broadcasting live from the Glens Falls Civic Center this afternoon for four Section II championship games. Get your questions ready and feel free to pop in with any comments during the day in the window below.
I will aim on opening the window around 1:45 p.m., just before Heatly and Sharon Springs tip off.

Section II boys basketball championships, Glens Falls Civic Center, Saturday, March 7, 2009

Class D final
(1) Heatly vs (3) Sharon Springs, 2 p.m.
Class C final
(1) Canajoharie vs (7) Duanesburg, 3:45 p.m.
Class CC final
(1) Maple Hill vs (10) Stillwater, 5:30 p.m.
Class B final
(5) Broadalbin-Perth vs (11) Schuylerville, 7:15 p.m.

Stillwater players celebrate a 54-52 upset of No. 3 Hoosick Falls Monday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center. No. 10 Stillwater is headed to its third Section II Class CC final in four years. (All photos by J.S. Carras - The Record)

Stillwater's Nick D'Alberto goes to the rim in Monday's game. His three-pointer from t he top of the circle with 1:04 to play broke a 51-all tie and served as the game-winning bucket.

Stillwater's Andrew Smith (r) and Hoosick Falls' Nick Bartolotta scramble for a loose ball in Monday's game. D'Alberto finished with a game-high 28 points while Kevin McMahon and Tanner Finney scored 13 apiece for the Panthers.

Stillwater's Justin Deuel gets great elevation on a jump shot in Monday's game. He hit a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter to bring the Warriors back from what was a 16-point second quarter deficit.

Maple Hill defeated Lake George in the second semifinal, and the Wildcats' Sean Danaher fights two Lake George players for the ball in Monday's game. Stillwater and Maple Hill will meet in Saturday's championship game.

Jamie Schultz takes it strong to the hoop in Monday's game. Four of the five Maple Hill starters finished in double figures (Danaher added nine) and the Wildcats play a team-oriented fast-break style of basketball that is going to clash nicely with Stillwater's typical Wasaren League man-to-man, jump shot scheme.

Maple Hill's Chris Despart leans into a Lake George defender in Monday's game. You can see some of the Maple Hill fans in the background that made the long drive to Glens Falls and the fans from Castleton and Schodack should give the Wildcats a great homecourt advantage again on Saturday. Maple Hill head coach Scott Hanrahan also went over to thank the kids on the baseline after the game and I think that really was part of the reason why the Wildcats put the pedal to the metal all game long for the 80-56 victory.

I'll be covering both games from the Glens Falls Civic Center tonight in the Section II Class CC boys basketball semifinals.
No. 10 Stillwater takes on No. 3 Hoosick Falls at 6 p.m. and No. 1 Maple Hill faces No. 5 Lake George at about 7:30 p.m. The winners play in the Section II Class CC championship game, in Glens Falls, on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
As soon as I get set up at the Civic Center - around 5:45 p.m. - we'll get going in here in he box below, so make sure to have your questions ready as I bring you updates from the games.