by Ryan Mosher
On Friday afternoon the Berlin boys varsity soccer team made the long trip to Middleburgh as the #6 seeded Mountaineers took on the #3 seeded Knights. Berlin entered the game on a tough three game losing streak and looked to avenge the 5-0 loss Middleburgh handed them in last year’s sectionals. The Knights, on the other hand, entered the game at 14-3-1, including a ten game unbeaten streak (9 wins and 1 tie).
Berlin’s main challenge would be to stop the Knights’ leading scorer, senior Kyle Roney. The Mountaineer defense seemed to surprise Roney and the rest of the Middleburgh team with their physical play. The Berlin defense would not allow the Knights to have any open shots, contesting them all and not allowing any of the opposing offensive players to roam free inside the 18 yard line. The Mountaineers took advantage of the surprised Middleburgh team and struck first in the opening ten minutes. Drew Webster fired a rocket shot from just beyond the 18 yard line. The ball flew past the leaping goalie, struck the crossbar and went into the net with 30:21 remaining in the first half. The goal was the first allowed by Middleburgh in their previous ten games, a stretch of just over 400 minutes of game play.
After scoring the first goal, Berlin fought to keep control of the game, but the Middleburgh offense would not allow that. The Knights continued to fight hard, pressuring the Berlin defense, which would not break down. Senior goalie Brent Demick played solid in the goal, making several great saves. Finally, with 19:23 left in the first half, the Knights struck, scoring the tying goal.
For the next fifty minutes the two teams battled back and forth, both teams’ defenses stepping up and keeping their hopes of advancing in sectionals alive. As time ran down, the tension rose, and with 8:41 remaining, a surprising call to both teams would decide the game. A foul was called on Berlin just inside the 18 yard line, and the Knights were awarded a penalty kick. The controversial call seemed to surprise both benches, and it decided the game as Roney drilled the free shot past the outstretched arms of Demick. With a 2-1 lead Middleburgh was in control. The Mountaineers tried valiantly to tie the game, but another Knights goal with two minutes remaining sealed the win for the home team.
Berlin finished the season 10-9 overall and 6-6 in the Central Hudson Valley League.