By Jordan J. Michael

BERNE –– The Lady Bulldogs’ junior varsity soccer team went undefeated in 2007. All the girls from that team are reunited on varsity this year for another run at the goal.

Fourteen of the 18 varsity players this season went 17-0 in 2007.

“Our undefeated team got split up last year, but we’re grateful to all be teammates again,” said junior Marian Bates. “We have high hopes.”

“I’m sure that all 14 of us have improved considerably over the last two years,” junior Tuesday Bishop said after a scrimmage against Greenville on Wednesday. “We know our strengths and weaknesses better than before. It should be fun.”

Bates, Bishop, Marjorie Adriance, Megan Bassler, Kristin Depeaux, Tiffany Fisher, Yvette Marchewka, Whitney Aveyard, Kathryn Forti, Samantha Harvey, Victoria McCormick, Victoria Perciballi, Mary Viscio, and Elizabeth Harvey know what it takes to win.

“Going undefeated at the varsity level is a much harder task,” said Head Coach Coriellen Travis. “It all depends on the skill level of our opponents. We have a couple of young girls on the team that will have to catch up, but the girls from the team two years ago should have what it takes.”

The Bulldogs had a winning record last year before ducking out early to Hoosic Valley in the Class CC sectionals. Twelve of the players from 2008 are back and the schedule is looking a little easier.

“We had a decent amount of wins for such a young team last year,” Travis said. “Now, with a boost in experience and an easier schedule, we’re sitting in a very good position.”

BKW dropped the home scrimmage, 9-5, to Greenville, a Class B team. But, the Bulldogs looked sharp, even after an all-day Whitewater rafting trip on the northern Hudson on Tuesday.

“I’m super tired from yesterday, so I’m sure they are, too,” said Travis behind her sunglasses. “It is still early in the season though. After today, we might need to talk more, pass better, and use more of our speed. We’re one of the fastest teams in the league.”

Travis named Middleburgh and Schoharie as her team’s toughest opponents in the Western Athletic Conference. “Both of those programs have excellent turnouts like us,” she said. “Schoharie has gone deep into sectionals and both have good young players coming up.”

The Bulldogs’ first game is home against Duanesburg on Sept. 9 and then the team travels to Fort Plain for a tournament on Sept.11 and 12. BKW finished in second place last season at the same tournament.

“I’m excited to have this group of girls together as one team again. They’re smart, funny, and they keep the drama off the field,” said Travis. “I know the season will be fun and I hope we go far. And we’ll have a great support system behind us from family and friends.”