Story by Eli Ruiz
MONTICELLO — The Monticello girls' youth and inexperience was evident Tuesday as visiting Cornwall dominated throughout a 7-0 non-league victory.
Monticello was behind 3-0 after 12 minutes of play and down 5-0 by the end of the first half.
With only four seniors on the squad and several freshman and sophomores starting for Monticello, the experience and skill level needed to compete against a team of Cornwall’s caliber was just not there. Cornwall has won five straight Section IX Class A titles.
Monticello first year Coach Lou Velasco described the Lady Dragons as "the best team in this league." Although Cornwall scored only two goals in the second half, Velasco said, "that's because after 15 minutes in the second half they took it easy on us and played possession. They [Cornwall] had several opportunities to take shots and they held the ball instead.
"We need to get that first touch. That's what's making it so difficult for us,” Velasco added.
Striker Megan DeRosa scored three goals for Cornwall, which improved to 3-0. Two of Cornwall's five first- half goals came on corner kicks as the Panthers seemed to be watching Cornwall run right by them.
"We just chase the ball,” said Cornwall coach Richard Miller. "We stayed wide, spread the ball around and created passing lanes...very simple"
Also scoring for Cornwall was Caroline Staudle, Giovanna Fichera, Andrea Mancuso and defender Sam Nelbach with one goal apiece.
Velasco admitted that his team barely gained possession all game and added, "when we did have the ball, it was pass and chase and that's not how I want to play.
“We've gotta get a better touch on the ball, we've gotta move. That's what’s gotta happen. We just didn't pressure the ball at all."