Bolton-Wbg. girls begin 2021 soccer season with strength

BOLTON LANDING | The Bolton-Warrensburg girls soccer team was the first soccer squad in the region to be competing in this COVID-delayed season, and their first two games — both high-scoring shutouts, demonstrate that they will likely be one of the top contenders in the area. In the season opener March 15, the B-W team beat Hoosick Falls 8-0 behind the potent offense of sophomore sensation Ella Moskov who scored five goals and assisted on two others. About 13 minutes into the game, junior Gabrielle Mowery scored on an assist by Moskov, and the duo repeated their feat seven minutes later. Near the end of the first period, Moskov scored on an assist by sophomore Kara Bacon). In the second half, Bolton-Warrensburg ramped up their pressure: 50 minutes into the game, Moskov scored on an assist by Bacon, then she scored again a minute later solo. Ten minutes later, Moskov scored again with an assist by Mowery, and then about nine minutes later fed the ball to junior Ella Constantineau who slammed it into the net. Moskov finished off the offensive show by taking a feed from Bacon and scoring with 71 minutes on the clock. Senior teammate Jordan Barker, an area All-Star goalie, made three saves over the day. Bolton-Warrensburg coach Margaret Lawrence said she was pleased that her players had developed solid teamwork this early in the season. "Mowery, Moskov and Bacon were so dynamic together — they moved the ball very well," Lawrence said. "They gave us great leadership on the field, as did our defense — Maria (Baker), Katelyn (Van Auken), and Kailey (Bacon) took care of the back end of the field to make sure we had a shutout," Lawrence said. "And Jordan Barker stopped some good shots to give us the shutout. Hoosick Falls is a good team, but we just capitalized on every opportunity." On March 19, Bolton defeated Granville 7-0. Five minutes into the game, Moskov scored on a Mowery feed. After 25 more minutes during which Bolton-Warrensburg players kept Granville Goalie Kierra Rice busy, Kara Bacon sank a shot with an assist by Mowery. Five minutes later, senior Katelyn Van Auken scored off a Mowery feed. Five minutes into the second half, Bacon fed the ball to Mowery for a score. Five minutes later, Bacon scored off a Moskov assist. Granville put up a tough defense for the next 16 minutes, but Kara Bacon passed to Skyler Scott who sank a goal at 56 minutes into the game. Nine minutes after, senior Maria Baker scored on an assist from sophomore Kailey Bacon for the final goal. Barker had one save for the day, while Rice had 15. "We've got a good team this year," Lawrence said. "Really good." Moskov, a veteran soccer player, moved to Bolton this year, impressing soccer coaches with her abilities. "Ella Moskov is very athletic," Lawrence said. Mowery also possesses substantial experience — she's played soccer since seventh grade. Teammate Ella Constantineau of Warrensburg High is an accomplished, experienced player key to the team's success. Kara Bacon, also from Warrensburg, is a skilled passer with considerable speed who sets up plays well. "Kara has a great work ethic," Lawrence said. Bolton's Maria Baker and Katelyn VanAuken, standout athletes through high school — particularly basketball — have their own chemistry on the soccer field: they are skilled defenders. Baker is a center back and VanAuken is a midfielder — and they are both "phenomenal" defensive players, according to Lawrence and other sources. Kailey Bacon, Kara's twin sister, also has solid talent in the defensive center back position. Lawrence said that Bolton junior Skyler Scott was a key player on the 2019 team that competed for the Adirondack League championship and made a good run in the Section II tournament. "Skyler is a hard-working, dynamic forward," the coach said. Junior Audrey Steves and sophomore Karla Sherman, both from Warrensburg High, are "very strong outside defenders," Lawrence continued. Warrensburg freshman Hope Sherman, a talented basketball player, has considerable athletic ability, Lawrence said. "Hope has a great future on the soccer field and in the goal — she's very athletic," the coach said. New to the team is Bolton freshman Ila Hubert, a well-rounded player that can fill any role, offering flexibility to the squad's campaign, the coach said, noting that senior Andi Lareau is also a valued player on the squad. "Our team has been developing over time — our players have matured, and they're now all very dynamic athletes, with their combination of skill, athleticism, hard work and competitiveness," she said. "It's all there."

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Bolton-Wbg. girls begin 2021 soccer season with strength

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