VOORHEESVILLE — It has been a difficult season for the Voorheesville girls’ soccer team, though the team is showing signs of improvement.

The Lady Blackbirds lost to Mechanicville, 2-0, on Friday to remain winless in the Colonial Council, but played well enough to force the Red Raiders into overtime.
"This is another in a series of frustrating losses," said Voorheesville Coach Joe Santos. "But it is the best game we played. Once again, we were in the ball game and, once again, we lost on what are preventable goals."

The Blackbirds had a few chances to score in regulation and held off Mechanicville for the first 80 minutes of the game. But Mechanicville scored two goals in the first 10-minute overtime period to come away with a win.

The Red Raiders got tallies by Lexi Williams with 3:42 left in the overtime and Nicole Manupella with 30 seconds left.
"We are making progress since the beginning of the season," Santos said. "Record-wise, they are the third best team in the league and here we are in overtime. We had shots on goal that we haven’t had in the past. In this case, I’m pleased with the progress."

Voorheesville controlled play in the first half. The Blackbirds got scoring chances from Kelly Glath and had numerous well-placed corner kicks deep in Mechanicville territory by senior Hayley George.

The second half was played evenly between the two teams. Both teams had scoring opportunities but both missed the goal or were stopped by the other’s defense.

Mechanicville had a great opportunity but Blackbird goalie, Brittany Holcomb, came out of nowhere to make a spectacular diving save and keep the game scoreless.

Holcomb finished the game with 19 saves for the Blackbirds. Molly Denier made 13 saves for the Red Raiders.

Tri-captains

Santos also credited the play of defender Lindsay Dembo.
"She works hard on defense," Santos said. "She is our sweeper and plays sideline to sideline. She knows what will be asked of her, which is do all that is possible. And, if you prove to yourself that you can do nothing more, nothing can be said. Lindsay is doing more to make up for lack of experience of the other girls."

Dembo is a tri-captain along with Holcomb and George.

George and Holcomb are seniors and Dembo is a junior. George will graduate in January and will move on to Syracuse University where she will play for the Orange.
"She was accepted to play there," Santos said. "And Lindsay Dembo has tremendous potential to be a sought after collegiate player."

The Blackbirds have only six seniors on their 20-player roster.
"It’s young in the sense that we have girls that do not have experience," Santos said of his squad. "In games, mistakes are made over and over again. And now, toward the end of the game, they are not in a situation enough to know what is happening."

But, Santos said, the effort is there.
"It’s not a lack of trying," the coach said. "It’s the little things that count. Like standing in front of a defender or behind. We need to be next to people, not four or five yards away."

It’s not just a difficult season for Santos but also for the seniors, especially George, who has been on the varsity since she was an eighth-grader.
"For Hayley," Santos said, "three years ago, we had a successful team. Three years ago, we won 16 games and now we have won two this year. This year, I’ve done a lot more coaching."

George is also battling injuries.
"She is not 100 percent," Santos said. "Last year, she had plantar facitis and this year she has had shin splints."

The Blackbirds have 10 league losses so far this season and after Friday’s game have just five games remaining to the end of the regular season.

The Birds played at Cohoes on Wednesday. Voorheesville then plays at Holy Names on Friday, Schoharie on Saturday and hosts Lansingburgh and Schalmont to wrap up the season.

Santos hopes for improvement in those final games.
"The losses are preventable losses," the coach said on Friday. "A game like today, we play very well. The goals are not something we haven’t discussed. That’s the frustrating part. We can’t practice this. There are mental issues. They have to visualize it mentally and see and react."