By Nathan Mayberg
MONTICELLO — October 8, 2004 – Wallkill got off to an early lead and then held back a late challenge by host Monticello in Wednesday’s Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division III girls’ soccer match.
As a result, Wallkill posted a 6-0 win.
Wallkill used its superior depth and ball handling skills to keep the ball away from the Lady Panthers the majority of the game. The first 30 minutes of the game was played largely in Monticello’s own zone.
Pacing Wallkill was senior Kaileigh Hermance. She scored a goal before moving to defense late in the second half to hold the Lady Panthers at bay.
Monticello (1-9, 0-8 OCIAA) was led by the energetic and tenacious play of Vicky Carter, Jennifer Kavanavah, Liila Mack and Taqiyya Robinson.
Wallkill jumped ahead 1-0 with a goal by sophomore Lindsay Kocsis. The tally was a result of unrelenting, immense pressure inside Monticello’s half of the field.
Moments later, the Lady Panthers had a chance to tie the game on an aggressive play by Carter. However, she could not connect on the open net.
Wallkill (7-3, 6-2 OCIAA) played a physical, team-oriented passing game. Ashley Pazian scored the second goal for her team in the second half.
Hermance scored her goal on an aggressive move after play had broken down near the Monti net. Her score was followed by a goal from teammate Nicole Rivera, which gave Wallkill a 4-0 advantage early in the second half.
Wallkill dominated all facets of the game during the first 10 minutes of the second half. Nearly all of the play was centered in the Lady Panthers’ portion of the field.
After Gabrielle Guilfoyle scored the final goal of the afternoon, Monticello turned up its game. The last 10 minutes were dominated by the Lady Panthers, but they could not find a way to get the ball in the net.
Monticello Coach Paul David said his team has been hit hard by injuries. He observed that his bench lacked depth, and he had few available substitution possibilities.
Even so, he thought his team “played an aggressive game.” He commended Wallkill for playing the trap very well and their “give and go skills.”
David thought his team became more eager midway through the second half. He said Wallkill did a great job in keeping the ball away from his squad earlier in the half.
“I’m looking forward to turning the season around and finishing strong,” David said.
Wallkill Coach Stephen Kelly said he thought his team played a great second half. He surmised that his team improved after the first half by increasing the passing game. Kelly said his team was kicking the ball too quickly in the first half, rather than allowing the ball to settle down.
Kelly did not downplay the importance of his deep bench. He thought his early substitutions in the first half “changed the tempo.”
“It changed the game quite a bit,” Kelly said.