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IAC GIRLS SOCCER: NEWARK VALLEY DROPS EARLY-SEASON HEARTBREAKER TO NOTRE DAME (2021-09-22)

BY TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — The IAC South Large School division is rarely at a loss for excitement when it comes to girls soccer match-ups.

Wednesday's meeting here between Elmira Notre Dame and Newark Valley was no exception as the two battled through an occasionally rain-spotted clash before the Crusaders prevailed, 3-2.

Notre Dame was able to adjust to field conditions which are vastly different than those at its home field in Southport.

"This is probably, for me, the toughest place to play in the IAC," ND coach Joe Picco said. "The field's smaller. They're used to it, we're not.

"We're a possession type soccer team, so to play on grass, it's much, much harder, especially when we practice the majority of our time, the training is on turf, not on grass, especially with the wet weather."

"I thought that we came out and played very well," NV coach Chuck Schneider said. "We were moving the ball very well. There were quite a few times we were in their attacking end a lot and I was really happy how we came out. We rose to the challenge.

"We found the net twice there with a lot of great teamwork, and on that corner, following the ball through and making adjustments in-game. I thought the girls really came out and played a good game today."

The two teams dueled for more than 15 minutes before MK Young found the back of the net to give ND a 1-0 edge with 24:40 remaining in the first half.

The Crusaders would maintain their advantage until Isabella Shiel scored the first of her two goals at 10:12. Clara McCloskey earned the assist.

With five minutes left in the period, Makenna Keough put one over the goalkeeper's head and into the net to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at intermission. Rachael Simpson picked up the assist.

Newark Valley wasn't about to give in and rallied back in the second half to tie the score when Shiel converted Anna-Leona Kaelin's corner kick at 29:21.

The Cardinals didn't get to celebrate the goal for long, however, as Simpson put a shot high into the right side of the goal just 72 seconds later.

"Chuck's done a great job with his kids, he really has," Picco said. "He told me they just got to be a full team."

Newark Valley, which suffered heavy graduation losses, had to postpone its first game due to a shortage of players, but once the Cardinals' season got underway, they started with a trio of victories.

ND improved to 3-0-1.

Newark Valley took 12 shots to Notre Dame's eight and held a 5-4 edge in corners.

"We really struggle for one reason and that is we haven't had chances to work things out, because every game's a big game for us," Picco said. "We haven't been able to play like what we felt we could play, but this is good going into sectionals and figuring it out for sectionals."

The ND keeper (no name available) made eight saves in goal for the Crusaders while Kathryn Simmons had three for NV.

Notre Dame hosts Seton Catholic and Newark Valley hosts Waverly Friday.

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IN PHOTO 1: NV's Anna-Leona Kälin. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.

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