By Doug La Rocque
Both Berlin Varsity Soccer Teams had great regular season records, the Boys even sharing in the Central Hudson Valley League title. Good enough were their efforts that both teams got home games in their opening Section II games, and ironically enough, both squads faced Northville’s Falcons. It was at the feet of these Falcons that both Berlin teams’ seasons came to an end.
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Before a large crowd on a windy and brisk Saturday, the Boys suffered a 1-0 setback. Northville scored late in the first half and withstood some heavy net pressure by the Mountaineers throughout the second. A late corner kick brought the crowd to its feet, but the bounce wasn’t to be and a stifling Northville defense kept the ball out of their net. Monday afternoon the Girls met a similar fate, falling to the Lady Falcons 4-0. All of Northville’s scoring came in the first half of the contest, and like the Boys team before them, the Girls pressured the net all through the second half but to no avail.
Boys coach Art Schmich told his team after the game, they just didn’t get a lucky break, and told his seniors how much he appreciated their efforts in winning three league titles in four years along with two tournaments. As the school’s Athletic Director, Schmich said he remembers the good times they had in both practice and their games. Speaking for both teams, he said “they are a great bunch of kids who accomplished a lot as seniors and have set an example for our younger players as to how much effort needs to be put forth if we are to continue to be successful.”[/private]