Voorheesville boys’ soccer team locks out CBA on cold afternoon

By Jordan J. Michael

VOORHEESVILLE –– “We kept the ball rolling on the ground,” said Blackbird soccer player Drew Alteri. “A Class C school just ran over a Class A school.”

Class designation is based on size and Voorheesville, at Class C, is much smaller than Christian Brothers Academy, a Class A School. Voorheesville beat CBA, 4 to 0, at home, on Tuesday.

The Brothers are just another victim of the Blackbirds’ ruthless attack. The team has yet to give up a goal to an opponent in its first four non-league games of the season.

“The trick is keeping the kids focused on soccer,” said Head Coach Willie Sanchez. “Life can be so distracting. When they focus on soccer, they stay out of trouble and win games.”

Voorheesville hosted and won its own tournament last weekend, beating Hudson 2-0 and Loudonville Catholic 3-0. The team opened the season with a 2-0 win over Bishop Gibbons. “We’re playing really good soccer right now,” said Sanchez.

Tuesday’s opponent, Christian Brothers Academy, was out of the Big Ten. It didn’t look like a Big Ten school against a talented Blackbird team. “CBA had a strong core. Justin Gregory was a strong player,” said Voorheesville’s Ian McNaughton.

The Blackbirds applied pressure to the CBA goal early on, led by senior forward Ryan Dimmitt, who was making plays all over the field. “Everybody played well and flowed well,” he said.

Voorheesville had numerous chances in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net. There was no score going into the second half. “We were kind of crazy in the first half,” said Sanchez. “A goal in the first might have calmed us down a bit.”

The Blackbirds would go on a scoring barrage in the second session. It started when Dimmitt got confronted by CBA goalie Carmem Volpe, who came out to challenge Dimmitt and ended up fouling him in the box.

Dimmitt was awarded a penalty kick and easily put it home for the first goal of the game. “Goalies don’t really have a chance on penalty kicks,” said Sanchez. “We got lucky. I don’t understand why Volpe fouled him.”

Voorheesville’s Joe Cillis made his way to the net and pulled a tricky move to get the ball past Volpe, for the second tally. The score was quickly 2 to 0.

The Blackbirds were ready to run away with the game after a beautiful shot by McNaughton. The goal came off a direct kick, just outside the box. The shot flew under the top right corner. Voorheesville led, 3 to 0.

“We didn’t know much about CBA,” said Sanchez. “My players kept each other going and they responded to every goal.”

One of the referees stopped the game and warned both teams about taunting one another. “There is some dirty talk going on,” he said. “Next player to say something gets a red card.”

The Brothers were agitated after Voorheesville’s third goal. Mark Strzalkowski received a yellow card for a “reckless challenge.”

Lau Filippo added the fourth and final goal for the Blackbirds in the final minutes of regulation play. CBA hadn’t scored.

Voorheesville plays in the very competitive Colonial Council and has 12 returning seniors on the roster. “Lee Fenner is an all-league goalie and Dimmitt is a tenacious player,” said Sanchez. “We have an experienced team that is ready to win a lot of games.”

Voorheesville’s toughest match-ups will be against Schalmont, Albany Academy, and Cobleskill. “The excitement is high and we’re building on last year. The kids can almost smell a sectional title,” Sanchez said.

“We kept our composure out there and connected on all our through balls,” said McNaughton. “This team is on fire and very proud.”

Voorheesville plays at home against Mechanicville, today.