Clarkstown South Girls Soccer Falls to N. Rockland in Columbus Day Match

Clarkstown South girls soccer played North Rockland in what was one of their biggest matches of the year on Monday. The Vikings were 7 – 2 entering the match-up and were hoping to make a statement against a tough North Rockland side, but were stopped 2-0 by the Red Raiders.

The game started out fast for Clarkstown South. The Vikings were on the attack completely for the first 10 minutes. A chance came and fell to Carly Glaser, a freshman midfielder, in the North Rockland box after the Red Raiders failed to clear the ball. Glaser flicked the ball and completely beat the North Rockland keeper but couldn't beat the crossbar. The ball came out and was promptly cleared.

South may have come out a bit too hot early on because North Rockland seemed to weather the early storm and go on the attack themselves. The Raiders won themselves a handful of corners in the first half and South stood strong and kept the ball away from the danger zone.

The defining moment of the match came late in the second half. Clarkstown South not only allowed a goal, but lost one of their best defenders in the process. Katie Burrell had been playing an aggressive defensive role for the entire match, making key stops and clearances.

Juliana Cabrera caught up to a long pass and touched the ball around the Clarkstown keeper. As the ball rolled toward the empty net, Burrell came barreling in and got her foot to the ball just before it crossed the line. The momentum of Burrell and the ball itself caused the ball, along with Burrell's knee, to smash into the post. Burrell and the ball were in the back of the net. Burrell was down and in pain for quite some time.

This injury-goal combo really crushed the Vikings morale.

"The fact that the injury of such an important defensive player came with the goal really made it ultra-devastating," said South Head Coach Tom Rolston. "They just didn't really come out the same after that."

Burrell walked off on her own power and seemed to be alright after what looked like scary injury.

North Rockland scored one more and the game ended 2 – 0. North Rockland Head Coach Jennifer Czumak was pleased with her team but felt for the Vikings on taking a hard fought loss.

"We played well defensively but South is such an athletic team they put us under a lot of pressure. They [South] worked so hard out there, it's really deflating to give up a goal late like that after defending so well. She [Burrell] really gave it her all and sacrificed her body doing it," said Czumak. "But I know they'll be ready to play us again."

The two teams meet again on Saturday in what should be an intense match.

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