By Ted Waddell
ELDRED — September 9, 2003 – The Liberty Indians defeated the Hambletonians of Chester 5-2 last Thursday in the opening match of the Eldred Boys’ Soccer Tournament.
In the first half, Liberty scored three unanswered goals to make 3-0 contest.
At 27:33 Ramon Romero scored on a direct kick, an act he repeated at 6:39. Chris Paddock scored on an assist by Geraldo Romero at 4:16.
In the second half, Chester scored at 32:33 as Aaron Baltimore put one into the net on an assist by Gary Bell.
Ramon Romero scored on a corner kick for Liberty at 22:54.
Chester scored the final goal of the game, as Baltimore beat Liberty goalie Tyler Hartman with a shot at 17:38.
“I thought we came together real well,” Chester Coach Mike Mallett said. “We’ve got a small squad . . . but we’ll get there by the end of the season.”
Hazel Yaun, coach of the Liberty boys varsity soccer squad, said goalie Hartman did a good job in defending the net.
“He had a lot of saves,” she said.
The 2003 Indians are low on numbers and experience, as the squad lost 10 seniors to graduation.
Seniors this season include Mike Carcamo, Eric Parkhurst and Robert Ruiz.
Parkhurst serves as the team’s only full-time captain. The remaining two slots at the tri-captain’s table are filled on a rotating basis, by whomever the coach feels did the best job at practice.
“We’re only carrying 14 players, and they’re playing well above themselves,” said Yaun.
Note: In Saturday’s tournament championship match, Liberty (1-1) was defeated by Tri-Valley (2-1) by a final score of 3-1.
Paddock scored the lone goal for Liberty and Hartman made 12 saves.
Chris Kenney scored a pair of goals for T-V.
In the consolation game, Chester defeated host Eldred, 6-1.