Charlotte Valley/Schenevus Boys VarsitySoccer Fall to H-T on Boys’ Senior Night
Charlotte Valley/Schenevus boys varsity soccer lost 5–3 to Hunter-Tannersville on senior night at Charlotte Valley Central School. Charlotte Valley started strong with an early 2–0 lead and later went up 3–2, with goals from Javier Bouton and Cole Whitbeck. However, Hunter-Tannersville came back in the second half, scoring multiple goals including two from Ian Gilmore and another from Grady Maul to secure the win. The game honored Charlotte Valley’s two seniors, Caleb Marino and Cole Whitbeck, before kickoff. Despite the loss, Charlotte Valley rebounded the next day with a 3–1 win against Margaretville Central, bringing their season record to 3–8–2.
DAVENPORT — Hunter-Tannersville boys varsity soccer defeated Charlotte Valley/Schenevus on Monday, October 6. Charlotte Valley Wildcats jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on what was their boys senior night, though the visiting Hunter-Tannersville Wildcats fought back to win 5-3.
A crowd of around 50 gathered at Davenport’s Charlotte Valley Central School for a sunny and unseasonably warm mid-October match. Charlotte Valley had only two seniors on the roster for this year’s boys’ senior night: goalie Caleb Marino and midfielder/defender Cole Whitbeck. The pair celebrated with their teammates and parents before the kickoff.
Coach Michael Ballard shared a few words about Marino’s and Whitbeck’s highlights with the team and their future careers after high school.
The game started strong on the Hunter-Tannersville side, though momentum quickly switched over to Charlotte Valley. Only six minutes into the game, junior Javier Bouton found the back of the net to give the home team the first goal of the game.
The H-T Wildcats came right back with Donovan Caci tying the game.
Charlotte Valley senior Cole Whitbeck tallied up another goal for the home team. Grady Maul then netted a second goal for Hunter-Tannersville, tying the score yet again.
Charlotte Valley’s Bouton then put another one through the goalkeeper’s legs — his second for the night — bringing the score to 3-2.
Ian Gilmore of Hunter-Tannersville put one away to end the first half, leveling the score three-all at the game’s midpoint.
It was a lively and vocal crowd throughout the game. Parents shouted at their sons to get the ball. Some loudly challenged the referee’s calls — “you aren’t going to call that?!”
The second half started with more pushing and shoving, though the tie score did not hold for very long.
A few moments into the third quarter, junior Gilmore of the Hunter-Tannersville Wildcats scored his second goal.
Sophomore Maul put in yet another goal to end the night, giving the H-T Wildcats the 5-3 road victory.
Following the game, Charlotte Valley midfielder/defender Javier Bouton was asked what he would like to work on for the next game. He responded, “dribbling with my head up and looking for passes and people who are open to pass to.”
Coach Ballard of the Charlotte Valley Wildcats shared his thoughts on the start of the boys varsity team’s season.
“It started out rough. And then we’ve been playing everybody really tough. We’ve been in a lot of close games. But towards the end that’s where we kind of get put away.”
Charlotte Valley/Schenevus boys varsity turned things around the next day with a 3-1 win on the road against Margaretville Central Blue Devils. Their record is currently 3-8-2.
This article was originally published on The Mountain Eagle.
