An afternoon of remembrance and regeneration

By TED WADDELL
Posted 9/18/19

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Wednesday, September 11 marked the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland, a day that forever changed the world as we know it. But it was also an …

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An afternoon of remembrance and regeneration

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JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Wednesday, September 11 marked the 18th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. homeland, a day that forever changed the world as we know it.

But it was also an afternoon that reaffirmed the meaning of life, much as fields of wildflowers arise from the still smoldering ashes of a devastating wildfire that altered a landscape, a sense of a renewal that gives a sense of solace to a ravaged soul.

And such it was last Wednesday afternoon as two teams of young lads born after the attacks took to the soccer field at Sullivan West’s ’94 Jeffersonville campus to see who would emerge victorious in a regular season league match.

The home team Bulldogs (1-1 league) hosted the Spartans of S.S. Seward Institute (1-0 league), and at the final whistle, the visitors had blanked Sullivan West 3-0.

The Spartans scored twice in the first half: Jason Mitchell off an assist by Tommy Bracken (29:30) and at the 9:24 mark, Bracken scored off an assist by Nate Panuska.

In the final frame, Seward continued their winning ways as, with 3:52 remaining on the game clock, Nick Campana scored on a pass from Aidan Vidal.

Stats: shots (SW 9, Seward 24), keeper saves (SW 19, Seward 6), corner kicks (SW 5, Seward 14).

A glance at the stats shows that Bulldogs’ goalie Efrain Martinez really had his hands full, as he posted 19 saves, fending off all but a few of Seward’s shots on goal, and in the process, made some spectacular saves.

Bill Steele celebrated his 18th season as the Spartans boys’ varsity soccer coach and his 1,100 games as head coach, thus posting a couple of personal milestones in the record books.

Seward has a total of eight seniors, including four returnees on this year’s bench-rich team, and is led on the field by a trio of senior co-captains: Andrew Mulhare, Aidan Vidal and Dawson Schultz.

“There’s some real talent on that team,” said Steele on the Bulldogs booters.

His goals for the new season?

“Obviously, we want to qualify for sectionals, and I’d like to make it to the sectional finals, which is a tall order,” replied Steele.

To make a run at the brass ring, Seward has to get past Mount Academy, a team that has been to the states five consecutive years, and Rhinebeck, a three-time sectional champion.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” added Steele.

Kia Murray is back for his 4th season as coach of Sullivan West’s varsity soccer team and is assisted by Kristina Verrico.

Goals for the 2019 season?

“Build on whatever we have, get quicker with our passing, fighting in the air, and winning our fifty-fifty challenges,” said Murray, adding, “It’s good squad.”

The Bulldogs have a total of eight seniors on the squad, three of whom serve as co-captains: Nick Dworetsky, Efrain Martinez and John Muzuruk.

Dworetsky, a 17-year-old sweeper for Sullivan West, has been playing at the varsity level for five years.

Asked what his goals are, he responded, “I want to make it to sectionals for the first time, that’s my big goal.”

And in his leadership role as co-captain, Dworetsky said, “I want to build a bond with these guys, this is my family away from my family… They are my teammates.

“This is my favorite team that I’ve ever been on, and this year, we’re going to get it!”

Sullivan West Bulldogs, S.S Seward Institute Spartans, Jeffersonville

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