SULLIVAN COUNTY -- “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” So, sagely counseled Dr. Martin Luther King referencing the seemingly overwhelming task of winning long-overdue Civil Rights for those people so long denied. His advice seems equally wise for the girls soccer teams as they approach the mammoth task of trying to have a season long delayed and facing the adversity of the weather which would never had affected it back in the fall.

This year presents unique challenges for coaches and players and so prior to their actual engagement in games, it seemed germane to ask about what the current picture looks like on the brink of competition.

Thanks to Livingston Manor Coach Shirlee Davis and Sullivan West Coach Diana Hahn for taking the time to give us a preview snapshot of their teams, challenges and hopes for this unusual soccer season. What follows are their assessments reprinted verbatim.

Livingston Manor

Girls Soccer 2021

LMCS was primed for a competitive 2020 fall season with the return of 11 Seniors, but with COVID, all that has changed. The fall sports season being moved to spring with an abbreviated schedule creates a host of challenges for coaches all over Sullivan County.

With a snow-covered soccer field and freezing temperatures, it is hard to get into the soccer frame of mind, for coaches and athletes.

“Instead of early mornings and late nights running in the August heat while chatting about the start of school, we are crossing our fingers for the sun to come out and temperatures to rise,” said Davis. “Practices started on March 3 in the gymnasiums due to LMCS being closed on 3/1 and 3/2 for contact tracing and quarantine. Our athletes coming from their brisk basketball season certainly appreciated the break after playing several games straight just the week before.”

Davis added that the tennis court outside has been cleared of snow so that student-athletes can adjust to the colder weather and running outside with masks. Mask and water breaks are given often and the league has indicated there will be breaks at 20 minutes for students to rest and rehydrate during games.

“The focus this year will be on fun, fitness, and skills,” said Davis. “Our students need activities they can bond over. The lack of school routines and traditions, transitioning from in-person to remote and back, snow days and general health concerns are certainly impacting our school. Sharing the ups and downs, laughs and re-connecting through participation in sports has been a welcome sight no matter how short or how competitive the season.”

When Section 4 did not allow the merger between RCS and Downsville, students at RCS were invited to play girls' soccer at LMCS. Currently, three students have come over to Manor's varsity team -- Seniors Courtney Kleingardner and Zena Vandermark, and Sophomore Serena Harting.

Returning to lead the team are Seniors Samantha Severing, Caitlin Evans, Emma Carlson, AnnaBelle Marchese, Erin Carlson, Courtney Rampe, Melissa Banks, and Nicole Davis. Returning Juniors are Kristina Davis, Peyton Darling and Julia Trotti. From LMCS, joining the varsity team this season are Freshmen Maggi Ross and Sarah Evans.

“We look forward to playing a few games, having some fun, and learning from each other,” Davis concluded.

Sullivan West

Girls Soccer 2021

Coach Hahn said training focus this year is about playing and falling in love with the sport all over again.

“When we love what we do we tend to put more effort and time into it,” she said. “With the pandemic and the scare that we might not even have a season I think, that puts things into perspective how short our high school athletic careers actually are. Especially when you are told you can't play vs choosing not to play.”

Hahn said her team is taking advantage of the gym floor as it increases the speed of play along with forcing the girls to work to improve their first touch, possession, and the small sided aspects of the game.

“Whenever we do get onto a soccer field, I think the girls will be shocked by how slow the game now feels,” said Hahn. “Physically we will need to be strong in order to compensate for the lighter touch on the ball and smaller space we are growing accustomed to with the indoor practices.

“That's where Mr. Durkin comes in to incorporate a strength-based workout into our practice sessions,” she added. “It will be an adjustment switching back to the outdoors after playing so long inside but I think it will improve the quality of the girls play overall.”

Hahn said they have an extremely talented group of girls at both the JV and varsity level and that she's blessed to have a great coaching staff.

“We have returning assistant coaches Mr. Durkin and Mr. Scheibe,” said Hahn. “Mrs. Schumacher is the new JV coach and has fallen into that roll with ease likes she has always been a part of the crew. Mr. Ellmauer is still ever-present as a volunteer coach. We are grateful for his energy and knowledge. It's a great group of coaches to be working with, all of us love the game and have the best interest at heart for our athletes.”

Returning seniors for the varsity team are Jordan Sullivan, Emily Bair, Taylor Allen, Carli Muzuruk and Laura Smith. Returning juniors are Riley Johnston, Grace Boyd and Goalie, Riley Ernst. New players moving up from JV are juniors Taylor wall, Taylor Brustman, Mia Nunnari, Abigail Keller and Annabelle Rutledge.

Hahn said other student athletes to look out for with their potential debut in the future are sophmores Anna Bernas, Felicity Bauernfeind, Kaylee DeBiase, Elanie Herbert, Brianna Haas, and Paige Muzuruk .

About the Schedules

With the local fields still covered with snow and ice the schedules are obviously in flux.

Coach Davis is hopeful that some of Manor's games can be arranged away vs. Orange County schools. At present the Lady Wildcats are scheduled to play at home vs. Monticello on March 16.

Sullivan West faces the same challenges. The schedule posits a game at Liberty on March 11 which is questionable as of this writing.

Stay tuned for updates on specifics of who, where and when.