Archive: Sports

Last Friday and Saturday night was more of the same for the 2011 Lansing Bobcats Boys’ soccer team. Except for some early fall weather and a new location for a regular season game, the Bobcats continue to dismantle any team that gets in their way, easily winning both games at the Greene High School Invitational Tournament by a combined score of 16-0.

The number 5 ranked Class C team in New York State, Lansing dominated Whitney Point high school from start to finish on Friday night, winning by a lopsided 11-0.  In the championship game on Saturday night, the Bobcats faced a stiffer test in Windsor High School, prevailing 5-0 in cold and windy conditions.

Against Whitney Point, it only took leading scorer Ethan Kutler 14 seconds to start the scoring, finding the back of the net after dribbling several defenders and slotting a shot into the far side netting to get things rolling. That was only the beginning for the junior striker and tri-captain, as he continued his torrid pace by notching 3 goals and 3 assists on the evening, brining his season total to 20 goals.


From there the over matched Whitney Point team had no answers, and the well balanced attack saw 6 other Bobcats find the twine, led by sophomore Benji Geisler with 2 goals, and juniors Cobi Byrne and Ellington Hopkins, and seniors Sean Streb, Taylor Schuster and Andrew Barber each notching a goal. Coach Adam Heck was pleased to find playing time for some of his reserves, and after missing much of the season with a leg injury, sophomore Clinton Herzog notched his first career point with an assist in the second half. For the evening, the Bobcats outshot Whitney Point 35-2, and took 9 corners to 0. Senior keeper Benji Parkes and junior keeper Sam Currie each recorded a save in the victory.

Saturday night’s championship game saw the arrival of some unseasonably cold and windy weather, as well as the return of junior defender Spencer Warkentin from a knee injury sustained in the opening minutes of the Trumansburg game.  Having witnessed Lansing’s offensive power on Friday night, Windsor came out bunkered into their defensive half, determined to bottle up Lansing’s passing and shooting lanes. For the most part, it worked.


Despite possessing the ball for nearly 98% of the first half, and launching 14 shots, the Bobcats were only able to go into the half with a slim, 1-0 lead, courtesy of a beautiful left footed shot by junior Woojin Richardson, his first of the season.  Senior winger Taylor Schuster played a beautiful cross to a cutting Richardson, who drilled his shot by a helpless Windsor keeper, and into the corner of the net.

Coach Heck realized how well the Bobcat offense was playing, and skillfully made a few tactical adjustments at the half with the intent to create open shooting lanes for his attacking players. Key to this strategy was the re-insertion of Warkentin into his center back position, which allowed Heck to move Geisler back into the midfield, and Kutler forward into his striking position. Within a few minutes of the move, both Kutler and Geisler had notched goals to put the Bobcats up 3-0; effectively taking the wind out of the Windsor sails for the night.

Before the night was over, Kutler would notch 2 more goals, giving him 6 in 2 nights, and 23 on the season, and completing the scoring at 5-0. Sophomore back Jake Palladino played well in the back for the Bobcats, and continues to show improvement in all aspects of his game, notching his first career assist at the varsity level in the second half. Junior back Timmy Arleo, and wingers WooJin Richardson and Taylor Schuster also continued their fine play for the Bobcats, while reserves Nathaniel McIntosh, Richard McDonough and Andy Parkes continue to play well when called upon. For the game, Lansing outshot Windsor 28-1, and had 8 corner kicks to Windsor’s zero.

Named to the all tournament team were midfielders Geisler, Streb & Schuster, and striker Kutler.


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