by Bea Peterson
Girls Soccer
On Saturday, January 19, the Hoosick Falls Central School’s 2012 Girls Soccer team gathered to celebrate one last time. The Immaculate Conception Church hall was decorated with poster size photos of each of the team’s seniors. There were championship banners on display and plenty of blue and white. Each senior had framed photos of the season next to her place at the head table. The sign that carried them through the season was prominently displayed. It said, “Dream it Believe it Achieve it!” And, of course, they did!
[private]Coach Tom Husser told the large crowd he was as proud of the team’s academic skills as he was of their championship. “They are the whole package,” he said, “great soccer players and scholar athletes.”
Coach Husser said the memories are endless. “We started (pre-season) in Buffalo and ended in Cortland.” The last two years, he said, have included 68 wins, ten losses and four ties. He reminded everyone that next season starts August 17. He thanked everyone for the decorations in the hall. “We have a great group of Senior parents,” he said. “They are the best fans in the State. Cortland will never be the same!” He noted that the School Superintendent attended many of the games, and the players were fortunate to play on some of the nicest fields in the State. He thanked his wife, his “superwoman,” for her support. He listed his top ten for the year. The list, of course, included the championship. But, he said, “Number one was our victory over Friends Academy. We had a score to settle, and that was our best win.” He noted that, in the final four games the opposing teams never scored a goal.
The Seniors had their moment as they presented fun gifts to their younger teammates. They also had special gifts for Coach Husser. They referred to him as “not just a soccer coach, but a life coach.”
The following awards were presented: Coaches Award – Emily Flynn, Assistant Coaches Award – Emily Everard, Rookie of The Year – Alyssa Houghton, Most Improved – Mackenzie Hinchliffe and Rachel Pine, Lady Panther of the Year – Julia Baker, Offensive Player of the Year – Grace Delurey, Defensive Players of the Year – Emily Everard, Alice Hayden, Anna Restino, Liz Babson and Hannah Fricke.
All NYS Players – Grace Delurey, Alice Hayden, Jordyn Haynes and Hannah Fricke. All American Player – Alice Hayden.
The JV team had a great season at 13-3. JV Defensive Player of the Year was Meg Flynn, Offensive players were Rachel Lucy and Ashley Foster. Rookie of the Year was Ann Wysocki and the Coaches Award was presented to Jade Tutunjian.
One of the highlights of the program, as always, was the slide show of the players from the time they put on their first shin guards up through the championship game. It highlighted some very memorable moments for each of the players and, at times, brought on some laughs. It was a memorable evening and a special ending to a very special season.
Football
The staging in the Armory for the Football Banquet on Sunday, January 20, was impressive. There were trees with blue and white lights on them, a goal post, a banner proudly displaying the team’s 13-0 season, a podium, plenty of tables and chairs and lots and lots of food, all donated by nearby eateries. The armory looked terrific.
Guest Speaker
Guest speaker for the day was Bob Ford, Head Football Coach for the University at Albany. Somehow he just didn’t look the same without a hat. He congratulated the players, the coaches, the parents and the community for a phenomenal accomplishment. He told the large crowd that Ken Baker was his best friend. He said he was very impressed with the school staff. Coaching, he said is a difficult profession. You have to make kids work together, be cooperative and be competitive. As a coach, he said, I make a difference. He also makes sure they have fun. “Life is a series of ups and downs,” he told the players. There will be ups, but you have to continue to come back from the downs. “Your success is measured in yourself,” he told them.
He recounted his second year coaching at Albany when his team was undefeated. The players were asked by reporters how they could do that and the players responded – our coaches expect us to win. The players, he said, need their coaches to tell them “I believe in you.”
“You have had a phenomenal year,” he told the players. “Don’t let this be your defining moment. In the future accomplish much and make your community proud of you.”
Coach Ron Jones thanked everyone who made the season possible – the players, the dedicated coaches, the cheerleaders, the pep band, the folks on the lines, the Rescue Squad, the statisticians and the parents. “The energy, the generosity, the caring in the community for those three weeks in the playoffs was outstanding,” he said. “We had a lot of success; we worked hard and we had fun.”
He told the players, “The thing that struck us was every time we asked for more from you guys, you gave us more. It was amazing how we worked together. When we were down 14-0, the game went to a different level, and you were there. We broke records!” He told them wherever you go you will always be champions.
He noted that in order to be a scholar athlete team 12 players had to average 90 or above. Twenty-four players met that criteria.
Several awards were presented to the players. Gifts were exchanged with recognized players and with the coaches.
This team has often said since they played youth football their dream was to go to the Dome. The video and slide show of the team showed them from those early days right up through the State Championship.[/private]