Boys’ Soccer

The Valley Regional boys’ soccer team earned a win and a loss last week after facing the reigning Shoreline Conference champions. The Warriors began the year with a home loss, but quickly remedied that with a win a couple of days later.

On Sept. 12, the Warriors lost a 5-3 home decision against Morgan. Valley started off strong netting three goals within the first 20 minutes of the half. After that, the Huskies mounted a comeback scoring two more times in the first half to make it 3-2. In the second half, it was all Huskies, as they went on to score three additional goals to ultimately move onto the victory.

Cameron Frazier scored Valley’s first goal on an assist from Ryan Shasha, and then Shasha grabbed a goal on a helper from Frazier. The third goal went to Jake Burdick to make it 3-0 before Morgan climbed bay into the game. Baron Schafer was in net and had four saves for the Warriors.

Two days later, Valley earned a 4-0 road win against Woodstock Academy. The Warriors were happy for the quick turnaround and the ability to get the opener loss behind them. Despite the score, the game was pretty evenly contested.

Valley got off to a good start with Tate Ingham pushed a ball down the side of the field and Ryan Shasha put that ball in 30 seconds into the game. Next Frazier scored a goal off a long clearance from Evan Benson. Valley held a 2-0 lead at the half. In the second half, Woodstock applied some serious pressure, but Schafer made a nice kick save on a Woodstock free kick.

After that a corner kick from Burdick got Keenan Pindar a shot into the top corner of the goal. Then Frazier intercepted a ball got it to and Shasha who worked his way into a 1-on-1 against the keeper and put it in for the 4-0 lead. Schaefer made eight saves in the match.

Girls’ Soccer

The Valley Regional girls’ soccer team posted a 1-1 record after the first week of action. The Warriors picked up a 4-1 win in their first contest against Old Saybrook on the road. Two days later Valley dropped a game on the road against Woodstock Academy by a score of 2-0.

On Sept. 12, Valley beat the Rams by a 2-0 margin. Ava Duval pitched in with two goals. Also, Sophia Surber had a goal, as did Taryn Frazier. Caroline Baldwin had two assists, and Sam Calamari had two assists. The Warriors had the score to a tidy 3-0 by the end of the first half.

Two days later, Valley headed to Woodstock and lost a 2-0 decision. The game seemed to be a stalemate until Woodstock managed a pair of goals in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Volleyball

Valley started with a couple of tough losses this year. The Warriors dropped a 3-0 match against Fitch, and the next day lost a 3-1 contest against Waterford.

On Sept. 13, the Warriors hit the road to face Fitch and got swept by the Falcons in three sets. Valley lost the first set by a 25-13 margin. The second set was much closer with Valley losing 25-21, but then in the third set, Fitch poured it on for the 25-9 set and match victory.

Senior Mackenzie Neviaser led the team in kills with three, while Jamie Pullin had three blocks to her credit. Emma Counter had 13 digs, and Alena Crosby was close behind her with 10. Crosby also tallied 10 assists in the match.

The next day, the Warriors played in a tighter battle. Waterford took the first set by a 25-19 score, and in the second set the Lancers extended their lead with a 25-15 win to go up 2-0. Valley stayed alive with a 25-22 third set force a fourth set. Waterford would ultimately take the win with a 25-19 fourth set.

Pullin led the Warriors in kills with six, while Neviaser added four. Alena Crosby had her serve working for her with five aces and Ava Boyle had four. Emma Counter led in digs with 11.

Field Hockey

The Warriors opened up the 2019 campaign with a narrow defeat at the hands of East Lyme. Valley hosted East Lyme on Sept. 14, but couldn’t get the offense going. East Lyme put a goal into the net and it would prove to be all they needed to secure the win. The Warriors record moved to 0-1 on the season.