2018 BOYS SOCCER WRAP-UP: NEWARK VALLEY PUTS FORTH SOLID SEASON (2018-12-10)
Tioga County Sport ReportNEWARK VALLEY - Newark Valley capped a solid season with two impressive playoff performances, even though one ended in a loss.
The Cardinals defeated Walton, a team which came into the postseason with a 12-2-1 record, 2-1 in overtime, on a John Simmons-to-Micah Williams-to-Dan Cowulich play with 3:06 remaining in overtime in the Section IV Class C quarterfinals. It was NV's first sectional victory in six years.
That would pit the Cardinals against top-seeded Lansing in the semifinals, where the Bobcats prevailed, 2-0.
"We played an even game with the Class C state winner," said NV head coach Mitch Thurston. "We actually outplayed and outshot Lansing in the first half. Besides going down early, 1-0, we had four great chances to score, but just did not finish."
Lansing went on to defeat each of its three state tournament opponents by two or more goals each to secure its second straight state title.
Another Cardinals highlight was a 1-0 loss to Trumansburg, the eventual sectional runner-up, during the regular season.
"We played the best game of NV soccer in the past four years," said Thurston, "dominating play except the score."
NV went 7-5 during the regular season and finished 8-6 overall.
Several NV players were recognized for their efforts at the end of the season.
Goalkeeper Steve Cowulich, and midfielders Dan Cowulich and Micah Williams were named IAC South Large School first-team all-stars. Forward Nathan Sokol, midfielder Noah Shiel and defender Casey Young were second-team selections.
Steve Cowulich became the program's first-ever four-time first-team honoree while Dan Cowulich, who scored 18 goals and dished out five assists, was named the division MVP.
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IN PHOTO: Newark Valley goalkeeper Steve Cowulich (right).
