By Lori Brown
FALLSBURG — October 23, 2007 — On Friday afternoon, the rain started pouring down on the host Fallsburg Lady Comets and the Liberty Lady Indians when their Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association (OCIAA) Division IV soccer match commenced.
No one knew what Mother Nature had in store for this very wet afternoon, but the girls had a great time playing soccer in all the rain and mud puddles.
Liberty (11-5, 3-4 Division IV) shut out Fallsburg (2-9-1, 0-6 Division IV) by the final score of 4-0.
Liberty’s Jasmine Walizadeh took charge and scored the first goal of the contest about 15 minutes after play began, with an assist from Megan Eisenberg.
With five minutes left in the first half, Walizadeh scored her second goal to give the Lady Indians a 2-0 advantage.
In the first half, Liberty had 11 shots on goal, while Fallsburg had no shots.
Halftime was cut short because of the non stop rain. So the players quickly took the field to continue the game.
About midway through the second half, Liberty’s Brittany Austin scored a goal with an assist from teammate Selina Vargas.
Liberty’s Sam Panagakos took a penalty kick with about five minutes left in the game and it was successful.
Liberty finished the contest with 20 shots on goal and Fallsburg recorded two shots on goal.
Lady Indians’ goalkeeper Taylir Lorino made two saves in the match. Lady Comets’ goalie Ashley Hong had 15 saves.
Fallsburg Coach Amanda Biccum said her team played better offensively and defensively than the last time they played Liberty.
“The girls obviously love playing in the rain,” she said.
“I would have liked it if they had put the ball in the net,” Biccum continued. “We are still struggling with finishing the game.
“I would like to mention Keri Sheridan, one of our valuable returning seniors,” Biccum added. “She plays wherever I ask her to play and does very well.”
Liberty Coach Ashlea Prouty said playing Fallsburg “is always a fun game for us.”
“Jasmine Walizadeh made two goals and she is a fighter and plays with every ounce of her body during every game,” Prouty said.
“The rain is very enjoyable by the athletes and brings out the best in them,” she added.
Prouty was looking forward to the Lady Indians’ next match, a Division IV contest versus the Sullivan West Lady Bulldogs. That game was scheduled to be played under the lights last night at SW High School in Lake Huntington.
“Both of our [division] records are now 3-4,” Prouty said. “Last year, we were tied for sectionals and we knocked them out.
“We already beat them once this year, but you never know with Sullivan West,” Prouty continued. “They are a tough, competitive team that shows heart and desire.”