Here We Go Again!

Well it's fantastic to be blogging about the world of Portledge sports once again. I was hoping to get going much sooner because I had all sorts of theoretical observations about the reflective opportunities available during summertime. My musings concerning days at the beach and the intellectual illumination of a sunset will have to wait until next July though. When, hopefully, I take advantage of some of my off time to satisfy the frustrated writer that lives inside me. This past summer seemed to end just as it got going, but I guess that is just a symptom of not being as youthful as I once was. What did Jim Croce say, "if I could have time in a bottle" ? Well you would be a rich man Jim, because everyone would be coming to you to find out how to recapture all those past minutes and days.

The only good thing about the end of summer is that it means the return of Portledge sports and, in particular, the resumption of the game I like to call "true football", but what others often refer to as soccer. Along with that we have a robust bunch of runners taking to the cross country trails and a much rebuilt and revived Varsity Girls Tennis team. So as the title states, "here we go again".

What kind of team does Coach Coleman have with Varsity Boys Soccer?

After finishing first in regular season play last year , Coach Coleman's lads tasted the bitter pill of upset when they were ousted from the IPPSAL play offs by #4 seed, but eventual champion, Solomon Schechter Day School. Based on their fine overall record, the boys were still selected to compete in the NYSAIS Championships. They played well, but were beaten in the first round by the Lycee Francais School of NYC. The team should experience similar success this year in that many key starters return fot the Panther booters. Center back is manned by four year starter and co captain Aaron Lee and co captain Mike McCloskey. Junior Mark Dourmashkin and Sophomore Nic Leask will provide the transitional play through midfield and most of the scoring should come from the dynamic striker duo of Senior Trevor Wolfson and Sophomore Chris McCloskey. One huge key for the Panthers will be replacing Austin Prey in goal. Juniors Daniel Leask and Ben Shapiro have both been working hard during pre season and are ready to go guarding the woodwork. Ther are also some interesting new faces on the Varsity Boys team. Sophomore outside midfielder Steven Dourmashkin joins his older brother on the team and Junior MJ Shin returns to Portledge after a two year hiatus at boarding school. Shin's technical skill and strong shot should certainly help the Panthers ball control and overall play. The Chinchwadkar boys, Ashwin and Vishal, make up the third set of brothers on the team and definitely make Portledge Soccer a family affair. The Panthers have a big opening week as they face LFNY on Tuesday afternoon at HOME (4:15), followed by two more home games against SSDS and Waldorf on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Come on out and see this excellent team play.

Can the Varsity Girls team finaly break through and win a PSAA Championship?

After several years of knocking on the door, the potential for a championship team exists, but it certainly will not be easy with the likes of Berkeley Carrol, Lu Hi and Staten Island Academy standing in the way. Not only are those teams tough, but as always, all games played in PSAA Girls Soccer will be challenging. The Lady Panthers have a solid returning core though, as many starters come back looking for that elusive championship season. Senior Alex Siwiec, having moved into central midfield, will take part in her fifth girls soccer campaign and will be a critical cog in the side. She will be partnered in middle of the pitch by Sophomore Ashley Wade, who has had her playmaking responsibilities expanded for the coming season. Coach Coope will be looking for Juniors Monique Kelly and Addie Reilly to provide consistent scoring from up front, while Juniors Chelsea Caracciolo, Natalie Flammia and Claudia Rogers will all move around giving flank support and manning the defense. Junior Chelsea Estevez returns to the goal after an excellent Sophomore season. The girls have a tough back to back to open as they face LFNY on Tuesday - HOME (4:15), followed by Friends Seminary on Wednesday - HOME (4:15).

Check in tomorrow for previews of Varsity Girls Tennis and Varsity Cross Country!