The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Berlin Fall Sports Ready to Kick Off

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By Doug La Rocque
The year-end results might not be the same for the Berlin Mountaineer’s Boys and Girls Soccer teams.  Coach Art Schmich’s team was the Central Hudson Valley League’s Champion three years in a row.  Competing in the Wasaren League this year is definitely a step up in competition, though last year’s CHVL scoring leader, Ryan Willis returns to the team as a Senior this year.
Members of the Berlin Girls Varsity Soccer Team started their warm-up routine on Friday August 25 at the beginning of practice. The first game of the season is against the Tamarac Bengals on Tuesday, August 29. Photo by Doug La Rocque

No such luck for the Lady Mountaineers, who lost the school’s all-time scoring leader, Jewel Pietrzak to graduation.  Coach Fleda Berschwinger is hopeful Rachel Bortnick can help fill her shoes, and will be counting on All-Star goalkeeper Haley Maxon to keep the ball out of the net.

Berlin’s Andrew Joyes competes for the ball along the sidelines during last Friday’s scrimmage game against Scotia’s McKeel Christian Academy. Photo by Doug La Rocque

The school’s cross-country team looks strong once again.  Coach Josh Santarcangelo’s team is the Wasaren League’s defending champion.  The other fall sport is Girls Volleyball, where coach Paul Slaver is again dealing with a young team, no seniors, as they begin what he hopes will be a season of lessons learned.  Both soccer teams open play this week and the cross-country team competes Saturday, September 30 at the Niskayuna Invitationals.