LIVINGSTON MANOR – The Rockland Wolves girls’ soccer team visited the Eldred Yellowjackets for a spirited non-league game on Tuesday, with the visiting Wolves coming away with a 3 to 1 win.

 After plenty of back-and-forth in the mid-field, Kelsey Ryder of Rockland scored the first goal on a run they were able to keep onside featuring a nice pass and kick.                                    Eldred tied the game shortly after,  kicking in a rebound. The Wolves’ defense briefly lost their marks. Capitalizing on the error, Yellowjacket Jillian Smith, found the goal. The score would remain 1-1 for the first half in an evenly played, physical match.                               A red card against Eldred early in the second half left the Yellowjackets with just ten players to finish the game. A short timeout was called to review conduct and play was resumed. Eldred returned to play energized despite being down one player. Unfortunately, despite all their efforts they didn’t come away with a goal allowing the Rockland squad to dominate the last portion of the half.                                                                                                                     Rockland’s Kelsey Ryder scored again, putting the ball into the net with a perfectly placed header.  Teammate Anastasia Niforatos scored on a direct kick past the 20 yard line aiming it just beyond the outstretched hands of the Eldred goalie.                                                                                                                               

Eldred Yellowjackets head coach Kevin Moscatiello shared his thoughts, “I thought our kids competed, but getting that red card early in the second half really hurt. I didn’t totally agree with the call, but I respect the job the ref’s do is difficult, it’s just a difference of opinion. I thought we hung in there the first 10 minutes after the call, but then we just ran out of gas, we just couldn’t respond.”

Rockland head coach offered his perspective, “Eldred is always a physical battle, it’s a fun rivalry. My girls kept their composure for the whole game. We’re starting to play with a lot more skill, a lot more confidence, I think we’re getting our mojo back.”