Eli Ruiz | Democrat Angie Schadt (6) moves upfield in state semifinal game against Poland. The Eldred girls’ soccer team won the Section IX and Regional titles to advance to the State Final Four in Cortland.

Fall Sports Wrap: Eldred Yellowjackets

Staff Report
ELDRED — December 17, 2013 —

CROSS COUNTRY
Coach: Don Drewett
Record: NA (Did not have a full boys’ or girls’ team).
Top runners: Jake Willoughby and Kevin Maas qualified to run in the state meet after finishing third and fifth respectively in the Section IX Class D meet at Bear Mountain. They ran 72nd and 78th respectively at the New York state cross country meet held in Queensberry New York.
On the girls’ side, Kayla Maas and Sarah Malzahn qualified for the state meet. Maas, an eighth grader, won the Section 9 Class D championships, Kayla was the section 9 champ while Malzahn finished fourth. At states, Maas placed 29th and Malzahn 77th.
Looking ahead: “We're very optimistic for next year. All four girls are returning and have good compression. With a fifth girl and a full team we can be very competitive at the Section 9 championships. The boys’ are hoping to be injury free and should be a very young team as well.”

BOYS’ SOCCER
Not provided

FOOTBALL
Coach: Mike Hoover
Record: 2-7 (1-2 League)
Season's highlights: “This year’s team competed at a high level in each game with wins over Pine Plains and Tri-Valley. We started the year with 19 players and each player saw significant playing time on both sides of the ball. The team stayed together and improved throughout the year.
Top players: Nik Dilles and Julian Gottlieb earned Co-MVP awards. Gottlieb ran for 1,218 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns and Dilles gained 370 yards with five touchdowns. Both were selected to the Exceptional Senior Game in Newburgh. On the defensive side of the ball, Nick Warren led the team with 64 tackles.
Coach’s comment: “I’m very proud of our team as we managed to stay together and play as a team throughout the year. From the very beginning, the players worked hard at two-a-days during the first week of practice, attended film at 6:30 a.m. and proved they were committed to excellence. I’m pleased with the progress we made as a team.”
Looking ahead: “Next year we return seven starters and look to compete for a Section title. The team is already working in the weight room to improve for next year. If we continue on this track, this team will be able to compete at a high level in Section 9.”

GIRLS’ SOCCER
Coach: JJ Gass
Record: 10-8-1, 3-1 league
Season's highlights: A share of the OCIAA Division title with Manor; winning the Section IX and state regional championship and advancing to the state final four.
“Goalkeeper Jenna Burns had an outstanding season and an even better post season. She recorded 57 saves in three postseason matches. Lyndzee Kelty was our leading scorer in the regular season and continued this with three goals in the postseason.
Top players: Lyndzee Kelty, Rebecca Morgan, Jenna Burns, and Addy Bodnaurik were first team Section IX Class D selections by the Section’s coaches.
Coach’s comment: “This year was a fantastic year for the soccer program in Eldred. Girls’ soccer had not won a section title in 27 years. Then to go on and win our region in order to make the final four was an amazing feeling for us.”
Looking ahead: “It was a great season and hopefully we can continue being competitive for many years to come. We have a lot of returning players who were major contributers, so with a little more experience and improvement individually, we can go places as a team. The future looks bright.”