10-11-2007
Coop boys battle through injuries
By ERIC AHLQVIST
Editor
The Cooperstown boys soccer team battled through adversity last week, but kept on winning in the process.
On Thursday, starting goalkeeper Mac Curran broke his jaw when he collided with a teammate about 10 minutes before a home game against Frankfort-Schuyler. Sophomore Nick Summers replaced Curran in goal, and CCS head coach Frank Miosek said his team did not play well in the first half.
``I think we were upset at losing Mac, and we also saw we were ranked fifth in the state in the latest rankings and felt the pressure from that too,’’ he said.
The Redskins trailed, 2-0, at the half, but stormed back with three second half goals to win, 3-2.
``Frankfort is a very good team, and I thought that was an impressive win for us,’’ Miosek said.
On Saturday, the Redskins traveled to Davenport to meet South Kortright in the final of the Chic Walshe Tournament. Miosek said his team arrived late as many members had SAT exams in the morning.
``We were a little flat again in the first half,’’ Miosek said. ``South Kortright had a tall goalie and we talked at halftime about keeping the shots low.’’
The Redskins led 1-0 at halftime on a Gulotta goal, and early in the second half Ryan Huggins scored to make it 2-0.
``We have a lot of injuries so I was trying to play a lot of players,’’ Miosek said. ``But when South Kortright scored to make it 2-1 with about 15 minutes left, I put my starters back in.’’
Shortly afterward, Gulotta was pulled down in the SK goalie box, resulting in a penalty kick which Quinn Snyder converted for a 3-1 lead, which turned out to be the final score. Gulotta, Cooperstown’s leading scorer this year, was named the tournament MVP and Snyder, Drew Lierheimer and Huggins were named to the all-tournament team.
Miosek said Summers made a couple of key saves on Saturday and ``played a great game.’’
Cooperstown, which has not lost since a season-opening 1-0 loss to Poland and are undefeated in league play, clinched Division II of the Center State Conference on Saturday when Waterville lost.
It is the second straight season Cooperstown has won its division.
``I think it’s a great accomplishment for this team because we lost so many players from last year’s team,’’ Miosek said. ``They have far exceeded my expectations.’’
Cooperstown played at Sauquoit on Wednesday night, and travels to Sherburne on Friday.
``We want to keep winning and secure a home game for sectionals,’’ Miosek said.
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