Manor 2

Sullivan West 1

LAKE HUNTINGTON -- “In soccer, skill is the art of turning limitations into virtues.” That pearl of wisdom from Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galleano aptly describes what early season soccer victories are predicated upon.

Case in point: Manor's 2-1 overtime win over host Sullivan West on Tuesday in a hard-fought pitched battle that could have easily gone either way. Galleano, referred to as “global soccer's preeminent man of letters,” was referring to the capacity of a team to overcome whatever setbacks or shortcomings they might have by minimizing those deficits to marshal victory.

Limitations are the order of the day in the opening weeks of the Fall II season. Teams have had very little practice time on the field and are missing the kind of conditioning that would normally precede competition. Manor's first game against S.S. Seward that resulted in a 4-0 loss was essentially their second day on the field. By comparison, Seward had already played three games.

Sullivan West had a similar lack of time on the pitch but turned an assist from freshman Abigail Parucki to sophomore Kaylee DiBiase into a 1-0 season opening win over Liberty.

Still, with only one game under their belts, playing 100 minutes of soccer even with mask breaks halfway through each period was taxing. That said both squads played with remarkable intensity and verve.

Manor senior Samantha Severing took a feed from Athena Niforatos with 5:55 gone by in the first period to give her team a 1-0 lead. That score looked like it might hold up until senior Taylor Allen got one by Manor keeper Melissa Banks at 6:22 of the second period.

The Westies had a chance to go ahead on a penalty kick by Abigail Paruki with 3:18 to go but it went wide. Regulation time expired and the teams prepared for two ten-minute OT periods.

With 8:10 remaining in the first overtime frame, Severing drilled one by Sullivan West keeper Riley Ernst for the 2-1 lead. Manor's defense tightened its grip and held on for the remaining 18:10 minutes for the victory.

Sullivan West coach Diana Hahn had great praise for her team's win over Liberty: “Seniors Emily Bair and Jordan Sullivan held control of the back and middle field in the stopper and mid-field positions.”

Referencing the tough loss to Manor, Hahn noted the challenge of playing back-to-back games while still adjusting to the field. “Our passes and movement were a little slower after just having a game the day before,” she observed. “The girls still played hard until the very end. Manor's Samantha Severing is a very good player and she had two nice goals,” Hahn averred.

“We did have a chance to gain the lead in regulation but we just couldn't quite capitalize. Parucki was called to take the PK because I knew she wouldn't let her nerves rattle her. She took an excellent shot at the goal and the goalie made a great save. It was good soccer for both teams,” said Hahn.

Livingston Manor Coach Shirlee Davis noted that the team had one practice on the field and one prior game last Friday. This year's squad also features players from Roscoe.

“We are starting to put things together as a LMR (Livingston Manor and Roscoe) team,” said Davis. “With every practice we see improvement in skills and teamwork. We are proud of their effort today in this overtime win. We had many opportunities today and we look forward to improving with each game.

Each keeper recorded nine saves. This game was considered a league fray. Manor's game against Seward and SW's game vs. Liberty were non-league.

Manor was scheduled to play a league game at Tri-Valley on March 25. Sullivan West will host John S. Burke Catholic on March 19 in a league fray.