Onteora football coach defies gender expectations
When it comes to coaching football, women are relatively rare. But that didn’t stop Onteora Middle School teacher Lori Matteson from stepping forward to help coach the modified football team this fall, after having served on the varsity football coaching staff last spring.
Matteson does have extensive coaching experience, having previously coached field hockey and girls’ basketball at Onteora, as well as youth soccer and Little League teams. An accomplished athlete, she played basketball and softball while attending Onteora High School and softball while attending SUNY Ulster. That said, she didn’t initially jump at the chance to coach football, a sport she has never played. “I love the sport — we are a football family — but I never thought I’d be coaching it,” said Matteson.
Her football-coaching journey started last spring, when the school district was considering bringing back varsity sports after a COVID-related pause. “My husband and I really believed that kids really needed to do sports again for their social and emotional and physical health, and we wanted to be part of making it happen,” she said. Both she and her husband (Eric, a local contractor) joined the varsity coaching staff, which also included Andrew Occhi and head coach Mike Liverani. “We played in the spring and it was great,” recalled Matteson.
Matteson’s role for the varsity team primarily focused on COVID-compliance measures intended to ensure that the players could compete safely. “I was taking the athletes’ temperatures and being very motherly,” she recalled. She also took on some of the injury-related tasks usually handled by an athletic trainer. “At the end of the season, the boys very sweetly gave me a T-shirt that said ‘Coach Mom Matteson’” she laughed. “I earned that T-shirt!”
This year, as one of two modified football coaches (she works alongside head coach Todd Faulkner), her role is more strategic. “Now I’m sitting around the kitchen table at night talking with my husband, planning defenses,” she said. “It’s a different world. I also watch a lot of YouTube videos!”
Safety is as much of a priority as strategy, Matteson pointed out. Temperatures are still being taken before practices and games, and masks are being worn when the athletes are indoors. When practicing outdoors, the athletes are grouped into “pods” to facilitate contact tracing, should the need arise. When listening to their coaches, the players “circle up” rather than line up, so they can easily hear instructions and advice without crowding together. The players also bring their own water bottles, and do not share equipment (except for the ball).
The modified football team’s 18 players, including her own two sons, treat her with respect, said Matteson. “The boys don’t treat me any differently than they would treat a male coach,” she said. “If I say anything, they immediately say, ‘Yes, coach!’ “she reported.
Among her fans is team member Conner Avery, who is in Grade 8. “As a coach, she’s pretty amazing,” he said. “She’s also helped me in the classroom, making sure that I get my work done.”
Head coach Faulkner is also full of praise for Matteson. “She’s great. She’s in this for the kids. They love her,” he said. Although he has the head coach title, Matteson could just as easily fill that role, he suggested.
Although learning to coach a new sport has been challenging to Matteson, it’s a challenge she happily tackled once she realized there was a shortage of coaching applicants this year. “I’ve got 18 willing kids wanting to play football, how could I not answer that call?” she said. “It’s been super fun. I’m glad I’m doing it!”
Kingston High School girls’ tennis
After opening their 2021 season with a three-match winning streak, the Kingston High School girls’ tennis team has dropped four straight, including a pair against Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association foes last week.
On Monday, September 27, the Tigers hosted Newburgh Free Academy, falling 4-3 despite dominating in singles play.
Lila Freeman (6-0, 6-0), Aliyah Faircloth (4-6, 6-2, 7-5) and Iris Laves (6-0, 6-0) all won in singles for Kingston, but Elizabeth Madonna was outpaced by the Goldbacks’ Jade Gary 7-5, 7-5 to tip the balance in favor of the visiting side.
The Tigers were swept in doubles action by Newburgh.
Two days later, Kingston boarded the bus for Central Valley where they lost 5-2 to host Monroe-Woodbury. It was the first loss all season for the Tigers’ Freeman, who fell 6-0, 6-1 to Maeve Cassidy. Faircloth (6-3, 6-4) and Laves (6-0, 6-0) provided the lone wins for the Tigers.
Kingston High School girls’ swimming
The Kingston High School girls’ swimming and diving team remained undefeated this week following a 100-68 drubbing of visiting Rhinebeck in Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association on Monday, September 27, and a sweep against Wallkill (112-43) and Marlboro (106-52) in triangular action four days later.
Against Rhinebeck, Parker Ball led Kingston with individual wins in the 200 (2:14.52) and 500 (5:58.62) yard freestyle, while other first place finishes came from Ellie Meyer (50 free, 27.19), Carly Ford (diving, 196.00), Emily McCord (100 butterfly, 1:05.19) and Gianna Vertullo (100 backstroke, 1:10.36). The Tigers also took first in the 200 medley relay, with Mallory Sullivan, Sierra Ramirez, McCord and Vertullo finishing in 2:07.03.
On Friday, the Tigers improved to a perfect 7-0 on the season after sweeping Wallkill and Marlboro in a home triangular. McCord (200 free, 2:01.86; 500 free, 5:30.46) and Sullivan (200 IM, 2:27.87; 100 free, 1:00.52) won a pair of individual events, while Caroline Steeves (50 free, 27.51), Kalie Boye (diving, 181.05), Katherine Steeves (100 butterfly, 1:07.41) and McCord (500 free, 2:06.66) also took gold.
Kingston High School boys’ soccer
Though their energy and effort improved as the week progressed, the Kingston High School boys’ varsity soccer team dropped three straight games last week, including a pair of shutouts on the road.
The week began at Pine Bush on Monday, September 27, with the Tigers falling 2-0. Sergio Gonzalez opened the scoring in the 24th minute, with Dwayne Villanoza doubling up in the 72nd. Both teams had six shots on goal, with Kingston’s goalkeeper Cody Baker saving three compared to two by the Bushmen’s Kealan Stelmaszyk.
Two days later, the Tigers were ousted at Warwick in a 3-0 result. Despite outshooting their host 12-8, Kingston was unable to find the back of the net. The game was scoreless through 55 minutes before Carson Rother connected for the Wildcats. Baker had five saves in a losing effort for the Tigers.
Kingston hosted Valley Central at Dietz Stadium on Friday, October 1, going down to ten men after a second half red card and falling 3-2 in double overtime.
The Tigers fell behind early before Simon Kiluba scored on an Imari Harris assist in the 19th minute. Kingston jumped out to a 2-1 lead just after halftime when Caden Fitzgerald connected with Lorenz Piet, who punched it home. The game was tied by the Vikings’ Dylan Kresge with 18 minutes remaining in overtime.
Kingston goalkeeper Rodrigo Martinez matched Valley Central’s Maddox Rivera with six saves in the same.
Kingston High School volleyball
The Kingston High School varsity volleyball team went 1-2 at home last week, opening with a pair of losses at the hands of Warwick and Valley Central.
Warwick came to Kingston on Monday, September 27, with the host falling 25-20, 25-14, 25-20. Alanna Rolph (7 kills, 2 blocks), Julia Jankowski (27 digs, 2 kills) and Ryleigh Purvis (4 kills, 8 digs, 9 assists) led the Tigers in defeat.
Valley Central visited the following day, coming away with a 25-16, 25-20, 25-21 win. Rolph (5 kills, 2 digs) and Makenna Black (2 blocks, kill) contributed for the Tigers.
Kingston turned the tides against visiting Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association challenger Newburgh Free Academy on Friday, October 1, winning 25-11, 24-26, 25-12, 25-20.
Rolph (9 kills, 2 blocks, 2 aces), Jankowski (8 kills, 20 digs, 8 aces) and Trista Lukaszewski (5 aces, 5 blocks) led the way for the Tigers.
Kingston High School football
The Kingston High School varsity football team returned to its winning ways last week, with a 34-32 road win against Section 9, Class AA opponent Pine Bush. It was the team’s first win against the Bushmen in a decade.
The Tigers improved to 3-2 on the season with the win. No further details were available as of press time.
Onteora High School football
The Onteora High School football team fell 40-14 at Pine Plains in 8-Man action on Friday, October 1. The appropriately named Andrew Speedling amassed 125 ground yards and 65 receiving yards for the Bombers against the Eagles.
With an injury-depleted roster, the Eagles were led by Reese Rotella, who tossed 140 yards, including one touchdown through the air and another on the ground. Griffin Alterio chewed up 95 yards on the ground and caught Rotella’s touchdown pass on the Onteora offense, and on the defensive side he had 15 tackles, 10 of them solo. Joe Christafora had 11 tackles for the Eagles, six solo.
Saugerties High School football
The Saugerties High School varsity football team fell 35-22 at Highland on Friday, October 1. Aiden Lydecker, James Bucci and James Burns each scored for the Sawyers, the latter returning an interception for a touchdown in the first half.
Onteora High School boys’ golf
The Onteora High School boys’ golf team dropped its first battle of the season last week, falling 186-203 to Rhinebeck. The match was held at the Red Hook Golf Club on Monday, September 27.
The Eagles were led by Avery Burns’ 42, with Adam Grady (45), Jude Signor (55) and Max Scanlon (61) also factoring into the scoring.
Onteora fell to 4-1 on the season with the loss.
Onteora High School field hockey
The Onteora High School varsity field hockey team scored a single goal against Mid-Hudson Athletic League host Coxsackie-Athens on Thursday, September 30, but it was enough to earn a win.
Abigail Nolan’s third quarter score was the sole goal of the game, thanks in part to a herculean defensive effort against Coxsackie’s renowned offensive speed.
New Paltz High School girls’ soccer
The New Paltz girls’ varsity soccer team found itself on both sides of a shutout last week as it split a pair of Mid-Hudson Athletic League games.
On Tuesday, September 28, the Huguenots fell 1-0 at undefeated Red Hook, with Ani Safrayan’s goal in the sixth minute the only time the nets were troubled. Vivian Kay had four saves in goal for the Huguenots, compared to six by her Raiders counterpart Morgan Tompkins.
If the Huguenots had difficulty finding the line against the Raiders, it was a different matter entirely against winless visitor Highland two days later, as the home side won 8-0.
Fiona Harris scored a hat trick for the Huguenots in the first 25 minutes of play. Also contributing to the offensive onslaught were Nyah Cunniff (goal, 2 assists), Kendall Lucchesi (goal), Siri Walsh (goal), Ava Cronin (goal), Natalee Watts (2 assists), Addison MacDonald (assist) and Kelly Hansen (assist). Even goalkeeper Kay got in on the scoring, connecting on a goal from outside the box. Kay and Lucchesi combined for one save to preserve the clean sheet in the win.
New Paltz High School boys’ soccer
Yasha Tamarchenko hit the back of the net on a 25-yard free kick early in the second half to propel the New Paltz High School boys’ varsity soccer team to a narrow 1-0 win over host Red Hook on Monday, September 27.
Max Miller made a pair of saves in goal to help keep a clean sheet for the Huguenots, who improved to 3-1-1 on the season.
Onteora High School girls’ soccer
The Onteora High School girls’ varsity soccer team outlasted host Rhinebeck in a 2-1 result on Thursday, September 30.
Achala Gindele and Kate Davis each scored for the Eagles, who were helped by a five-save combined effort by goalkeepers Alexia Melendez and Coco Asada. Sophia Scofield made six saves for Rhinebeck in a losing effort.
Saugerties High School girls’ soccer
The Saugerties High School varsity girls’ soccer team blasted visiting Rondout Valley last week, winning 7-1 on the back of a hat trick by Makenzie Below. Below also earned an assist in the game on Thursday, September 30.
Also contributing for the Sawyers were Madeline Marricco (2 goals), Ashlynn DeRonda (goal, 2 assists), Helen Kerr (goal), Savannah Scarpa-Meade (assist) and Lily Leong (assist).
Saugerties improved to 2-1-1 in Mid-Hudson Athletic League action, and 2-2-2 overall.
New Paltz High School/Saugerties High School boys’ golf
The New Paltz High School boys’ golf team stayed perfect last week with a trio of wins, including one close battle against Saugerties High.
The Huguenots outpaced the Sawyers 155-161 in Mid-Hudson Athletic League action at New Paltz golf course on Tuesday, September 28. Oliver Watson’s 3-under 33 helped keep New Paltz out of reach, with Domenico Mazzella (39), Loyal Goodermote (41) and Stephen Carr (42) also contributing.
The Sawyers were led by Cameron France’s 38, with Ben Fox (39), Harry Bubel (41) and Aero Ferrendino (43) also factoring into the tally.
One day earlier, the Sawyers edged host Wallkill 186-187 at Turtle Creek Golf Course, with Fox’s 2-over 37 crucial in a contest where his teammates tallied a 47 (Paul Croce), 49 (France) and 53 (Ava Schmedel).
On Wednesday, September 29, Saugerties had an easier time against visiting Marlboro, earning a 172-185 win at Rip Van Winkle Country Club. Fox led the way with a 3-over 39, while Ferrendino (43), Bubel (44) and France (46) rounded out the scoring.
One day later, the Huguenots improved to 9-0 on the season, ousting visiting F.D.R. 170-181. Loyal Goodermote carded a 3-over 39 to lead New Paltz, with Watson (41), Mazzella (42) and John Goodermote (48) also contributing.
New Paltz High School volleyball
The New Paltz High School varsity volleyball team swept visiting Highland 3-0 last Tuesday in a match with a pair of tricky bookends. The Huguenots won 29-27, 25-10, 26-24.
Francheska Gemininaro (9 kills, 5 digs, 2 aces), Alex Frenza (9 kills), Lily Sturgis (8 kills, 4 digs) and Esve Mullins (26 assists, 12 digs, 5 kills, 2 aces) paced New Paltz in the win.
Saugerties High School volleyball
The Saugerties High School varsity volleyball team were on both ends of a sweep last week, starting with a 3-0 win over visiting Rondout Valley on Tuesday, September 28.
The Sawyers ousted Rondout 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 on the strength of performances by Molly Boek (3kills, 10 digs, 6 aces), Dreama Manganiello (5 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs), Lacey Schatzel (kill, 4 aces, 3 digs) and Paige Moro (kill, ace, 2 assists).
On Friday, October 1 the Sawyers visited league juggernaut Wallkill, falling 25-7, 25-15, 25-12.
Manganiello (4 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks, 2 aces), Emily Brink (4 digs, 2 aces), Schatzel (2 kills, 2 aces) and Isabella Cavallaro (4 assists) led the Sawyers.
New Paltz High School football
The New Paltz High School varsity football team fell to 1-3 on the season following a 16-6 loss against host Burke Catholic in Goshen on Saturday, October 2. The Eagles led 8-6 for much of the game before putting it out of reach with a touchdown in the final minute of regulation.
Brady Saunders compiled 42 yards on 10 rushes, including a 2-yard touchdown that was the sole score for the Huguenots. Saunders also contributed defensively with 10 tackles. Justin Coiuteaux caught 10 passes for New Paltz, while the defense was keyed by Dan Saracino (10 tackles), Spyros Schirripa (7 tackles, recovered fumble) and Matt VonAhnen (6 tackles).
Saugerties High School boys’ soccer
The Saugerties High School varsity boys’ soccer team improved to 3-3 on the season with a 3-0 win over visiting Red Hook on Wednesday, September 29.
Anthony Numssen scored a brace to lead the Sawyers, who also saw Jack Quinlan (goal) and Mitch Hart (assist) contribute offensively. Adonai Salinas recorded four saves in goal to keep a clean sheet for Saugerties. His Red Hook counterpart Austin Litton had nine saves in a busy afternoon for the 1-6 Raiders.
Saugerties High School girls’ tennis
The Saugerties High School girls’ tennis team entered last week undefeated, but saw their record fall to 5-2 following a pair of losses.
It began on Monday, September 27 with a visit from Marlboro High, who came away with a 3-2 victory. Sawyers singles ace Mehal Mitra had an uncharacteristically quiet afternoon, falling 6-0, 6-0 against Samy Jaros.
Amy Hoyt beat Ava Del Salto 6-4, 6-4 for the Sawyers’ lone singles win, while the doubles tandem of Hannah Hoyt and Marlo Rothe beat Gianna Barbero and Lindsay Stelling 7-6 (3), 6-3 in first doubles.
Hoyt had the lone win for the Sawyers in a 4-1 loss at undefeated Highland on Thursday, September 30, ousting Maggie Van Valkenburgh 6-1, 6-1.
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