Published: September 06, 2008 12:10 am            

H.S. SOCCER: Early season kicks for soccer Lions

Lockport — It was difficult to tell who was having more fun at the annual Lockport High School Soccer Tournament on Friday, parents or players.

Boys and girls varsity and junior varsity soccer teams from Lockport, Starpoint, Nichols and Williamsville North competed on the field, while hard-working members of the LHS Soccer Boosters went to work raising money to help offset costs.

“The Lockport School District does as much as it can and we do as much as we can do to help offset the costs,” said Jeff Kroe of the soccer boosters.

“We’ve had a lot of donations from the community, including drinks, pizza and a trailer for storage. I can’t count the number of volunteers we’ve had and all the teams are helping out as well.”

The boosters also gave each team snacks of Gatorade, bananas and chips on Thursday and Friday and will provide Friday Gatorade and hot dogs today, Kroe said. The boosters’ concession stand offers pizza, pop, hot dogs, chips and candy.

Lockport varsity players, including Jay Dry, whose playing in his third home tournament, said the LHS soccer program enjoys the early-season attention the tournament affords them.

“I love it because it’s a nice way to start the season — and it brings the community together,” Dry said.

“A lot of people show up for the tournament so it’s a great way to start the year and great way for the community to come out and get to know us.”

And two Lions fans are getting well acquainted with are Lions senior winger Angelo DiMillo and junior striker Matt McCoy. Both netted two goals apiece as the host Lions (2-1) won their semifinal on Friday, 5-3 over Starpoint.

Lockport was also aided by Jay Dry’s bicycle kick goal. The Lions advance to the championship against Nichols at 3 p.m. today.

For Starpoint (1-1), Chris Kuschak scored to cut the Lockport lead to 3-2 to make things tight down the stretch. Hamilton Karczewski added a penalty kick for a score and Sam Mattina also had a goal in the loss.

In the girls tournament, Teresa Delabio had six goals as the Lady Spartans advanced to today’s championship with an 8-0 victory over Lockport. They’ll play Nichols in the title game.

Also for Starpoint (2-0 overall), Catie Hale and Nicole Borner netted a goal apiece and Chelsea Reed recorded the shutout in net. Lockport dropped to 0-2.

The tournament concludes today with the girls varsity championship and consolation games at 1 p.m. and the boys title and consolation games at 3 p.m.

The JV tourney, which began Thursday, also concludes today with girls title and consolation games at 9 a.m. and the boys title and third-place games at 11 a.m.

        

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