Lady Hilltoppers roll past Berne-Knox-Westerlo, 4-1
By BILL CAIN, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
Fact Box
Suburban Energy Services Tournament
Championship
Fort Plain 4, Berne-Knox-Westerlo 1
Consolation Game
Canajoharie 5, Wells 1
FORT PLAIN - A new formation helped Fort Plain to a 4-1 win Saturday in the Suburban Energy Services Tournament championship game against Berne-Knox-Westerlo.
The Lady Hilltoppers were able to muster more attack early and broke out for a 3-1 halftime lead.
"We played a 4-4-2, which is a common formation for most teams, but we usually play a 3-3-4," Fort Plain coach Kim Lathers said. "We practiced it the other night and talked about it. We were doing a lot better and they felt pretty good in it."
The scoring opportunities started immediately, with a shot from Kaitlyn Trembley being punched over the crossbar by BKW goalkeeper Alyssa Wetterau. Then on a Jennette Webb corner kick, Trembley had another shot, but it sailed wide left.
Then Ashley Crews broke into the scoring column 10:01 into the match on an assist from Jenna Stever. Crews took the ball and split two defenders, Samantha Fusco and Tiffany Fisher, before finishing.
"It was definitely exciting," Stever said. "We tried a different set-up today with a 4-4-2 and it definitely worked out for us."
Part of the trouble for the Bulldogs was their slowness to the ball. Coach Cariellen Travis said she has a young team, and they are doing well for being so young, but they need to start passing and moving better to take advantage of their speed.
"They needed to start stepping to the ball," she said. "They weren't using the speed I knew they had. They weren't talking or passing. We're a very young team this year and those are things we're working on."
After the Fort Plain goal, the Bulldogs started stepping stronger to the ball and the change was immediately apparent.
Victoria Perciballi soon put a shot on goal, which was saved by Fort Plain's Karissa Belden. Then Whitney Aveyard sent a through ball to Victoria McCormick, but Belden came up with another save.
With 18:12 left in the half, McCormick sent a low pass to Marian Bates in the middle of the 18-yard box. Bates turned with the ball and sent it to the back of the net to tie the game.
However, after that goal, the BKW attack slowed down. Throughout the game, the Fort Plain defense was in good shape and was able to turn much of the Bulldog attack aside.
"I think the formation helped us a lot [defensively]," Lathers said. "[Friday], when we did a good job at fullback and got the ball out to the middle third, we weren't there. We were pushed in too much. I think because we adjusted, it allowed us to have one play deep but the other stay back. That created a better control in the midfield."
Less than two minutes after BKW evened the score, with 16:32 left in the half, another Webb corner kick caused trouble for BKW. This one was rolling at a good clip just a few feet from the goal line when Stever got a foot on it to flip the ball up and into the far netting.
Stever struck again with 13:33 left in the half. Ashley Crouse sent a ball goalward that was deflected by BKW's Fisher. The ball ended up at Stever's feet and she gave the Lady Hilltoppers (2-0-1 overall) a 3-1 advantage.
In the 40th minute, BKW's Bates beat Webb for a 1-v-1 opportunity, but once again, Belden came up with a save. She made nine in the match, while Wetterau made 10 for the Bulldogs (2-1-0 overall).
At the half, Travis said, she made a few adjustments to better handle the Fort Plain attack.
"I talked to them about the fact they were playing four on top and they had more of an advantage offensively, so we started to move some people back," she said. "My back stopper and sweeper were working together to work their angles more."
The adjustment worked, as the Lady Hilltoppers managed just one more goal. The last goal was scored by Kelsey Logan, assisted by Crouse with 41 seconds to play.
Stever said having just three girls on the bench combined with the BKW adjustments to slow down the offense.
"I think they caught on," she said. "And we got tired. We don't have much of a bench."
Stever was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. Belden was named the Most Outstanding Goalie and Julia Jackson was the Most Outstanding Defender. Fort Plain also placed Ashley Smith and Webb on the all-tournament team.
BKW's Bates and Tuesday Bishop were named to the all-tournament team.
Stever said although winning the tournament, hosted by Fort Plain, may not be a new experience for the Lady Hilltoppers, but is still a big deal.
"We won it last year, but it was still exciting," she said. "It's out tournament and you don't want to lose your own tournament."
Consolation Game
Canajoharie 5, Wells 1
After giving up a lead and later losing in penalty kicks in Friday's first round, Canajoharie stormed into the consolation game against Wells.
Bethany Young scored three goals, the first just 1:02 into the match. Her second was assisted by Kelsey Aldi just 3:35 into the contest and the third, unassisted, came 2:15 into the second half.
Aldi also assisted on Karina McClelland's goal with 24:12 left in the first half. Kelsey Bowerman scored with 20:55 left in the game, assisted by Louisa Leuchter. Samantha Kuhne made two saves for Canajoharie.
Canajoharie's Young was named the Most Outstanding Offensive player at the tournament, while Sarah Blood and Trista Ferarra were named to the all-tournament team. Wells' Valeri Hayes also made the all-tournament team.
Wells (1-2-0 overall) got on the board with 16:58 left to play when Ashley Schidzick finished off a pass from Lizzie Perkins. The Lady Indians got 10 saves from Kayla Page.
Canajoharie coach Ellee Fichthorn said after a tough game and tough PK loss (which counts as a tie) Friday, the Lady Cougars (1-1-1 overall) needed to get into the win column.
"Our girls were very down after [Friday]," she said. "Our girls were tired from playing in the heat and playing overtime. To keep the intensity for most of the game today, and continue to shoot and score, I think that will be a big boost for our team."
