ERIC AHLQVIST
THE COOPERSTOWN CRIER
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The Cherry Valley-Springfield boys soccer team had a dream season last fall, coasting through the regular season undefeated and capturing its third straight Tri-Valley Championship title with a 3-0 victory over Morris.
But the only loss of an 18-1 season should serve as motivation this season for the Patriots, who lost in the Section Four Class D title game to Margaretville, 2-1.
``Our goals for the season are to be the best team we can be,’’ said Shawn Cope, one of seven CV-S seniors who have played together through the entire program at the school. ``We are looking for our fourth straight Tri-Valley title and having a good run in sectionals. We are going to give it everything we have to win that sectional title.’’
CV-S defeated Morris three times last season, and the teams will meet again to start the 2010 season on Friday at 10 a.m. in the opening game of the Edmeston Tournament. The Patriots lost four starters to graduation, but return a strong nucleus of seniors and juniors, and freshman Wyatt Crowley has also joined the varsity squad.
Host Edmeston will play Davenport in the other first round game at noon Friday.
The boys’ championship game will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, preceded by the consolation game at 2:30 p.m.
``My approach with the team has always been to think about only what’s directly in front of us and not predict anything,’’ said Adams, who in addition to the three straight T-V titles during her six-year tenure also led the Patriots to a Class D crown in 2007. ``We’ve got a good group of kids and my only expectation is for them to work hard and execute well. I think we’ll get a very well-balanced contribution from the entire team from front to back.’’
The Patriots will begin defense of their Tri-Valley East title on Wednesday, Sept. 1 when they play at Milford at 4:30 p.m.
The home opener will be the following Tuesday when they host Richfield Springs, also at 4:30. Richfield is new to the league this season, making the decision to join the Tri-Valley league after its football team was disbanded last year due to low enrollment.
The Indians will compete in the T-V East division.
The Edmeston Tournament will be the only non-league games on the Patriots’ schedule this season as Franklin will also field a team this season after failing to do so last year due to low numbers.
