With athletics back on the roster this year, the Storm King Cougars have concluded yet another successful fall season with much to be proud of. All of our varsity and JV teams finished their schedules with outstanding sportsmanship and play, with one team bringing home the Hudson Valley Athletic League (HVAL) Championship Trophy, and the others ranking high in the league.
BOYS VARSITY SOCCER
Overall Season Record: W 7-L 1-T 2; HVAL Season: W 6-L 0-T 0; 2021 HVAL ranking: #1
The Cougars played full steam ahead through their HVAL schedule this fall, resulting in a #1 ranking in the league. A resounding win, 5-0, in their final season game versus NYMA advanced the boys to the HVAL semifinal versus Darrow. Beautiful weather, home advantage, and consistently great play proved effective for the team that day, resulting in an exciting match and a 4-0 win over the Ducks. Rhyan ’23 and Arturo ’24 scored 2 goals each, advancing the team to HVAL Championship versus Oakwood Friends. According to Coach Bennett, the championship game “was a nail-biter, with the boys battling back and forth, going down 1 and tying it back up three times over.” Following an intense 90-minute back and forth, SKS ended regulation tied 3-3. The Cougars went into their first golden goal overtime period hyped and ready, but Oakwood prevailed, scoring the final goal and ending the match at 4-3. “Overall the season was absolutely incredible. The boys were very sportsmanlike and we hadn’t really lost a game going into the finals. The coaching staff couldn’t be more proud of this team, and we cannot wait until next season,” continued Coach Bennett
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER
Overall Season Record: W 4-L 6; HVAL Season: W 3-L 1-T 0; 2021 HVAL ranking: #2
Girls Varsity Soccer finished their regular season on a high note with a #2 ranking in HVAL and a win over Harvey School, 2 – 1. The win advanced the Cougars to the HVAL semifinal versus Marvelwood where the Cougar momentum was unstoppable as the girls took the home advantage with some lights out advances on the net. The team cruised to a 9-2 victory over the Pterodactyls, who fought valiantly throughout the match. With the win, the girls moved on to the playoffs facing the Hoosac Owls.
Wet conditions greeted the girls when they headed to Hoosick, NY, to face a strong Hoosac team that was undefeated in league play. Storm King fought hard from the kick-off but by halftime, the Cougars were down 1-0 after playing what their coaches called “the best defensive half we have ever seen them play.” The girls went into the second half with their heads up and determined to give it all they had, but the Owls shut out the goal, turning away all the shots made by the Cougars. Coach Atanasio commented “the team played a tremendous game. However, due to the inclement weather, Hoosac was able to sneak two goals in during the second half. By far, this was the best game the girls have played and certainly one to remember.
Throughout the season we watch the girls not only grow as soccer players but as individuals. Although we hit rough patches, as any team may, we were able to overcome these challenges and fight our way into a championship final. These girls showed grit and determination. Without having subs, they showed up and left everything on the field every single game they played,” continued Coach Anatasio.
CROSS COUNTRY
HVAL Season Record: 4-0; HVAL Ranking #1; 2021 HVAL Champions
The SKS boys cross country harriers came out on top of the league again this year, finishing their season at the HVAL Championship meet held at Faith Christian Academy. The undefeated boys team prevailed yet again, bringing home the league trophy for the 6th consecutive season.
Led by junior Eddie ’23 (2nd) (18:15), the Cougars placed six runners in the top nine spots to defeat rival Hoosac. Lou ’22 (3rd Overall) outran Hoosac runner, Alexi in the last 100 meters to position Storm King for another championship. Teammates Kayan ’23 (6th), Vincent ’24 (7th) Juan Carlos ’22 (8th), and Otto ’22 (9th) followed in the trademark pack running of the Cougars.
Champions: Storm King 26, Runner-up: Hoosac 31, Oakwood 102, Darrow 107, Marvelwood 123, Woodhall 158, Marvelwood 123, Woodhall 158
In the girls cross country race, Storm King runner Maria ’22 surprised the field and finished 1st, becoming the individual HVAL League Champion.
GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL
Overall Season Record: 3-9; HVAL Season: W 1-L 3; HVAL ranking: #4
With Coach McMahon at the helm, the girls varsity volleyball team had a productive fall highlighted by resilience and consistent improvement of their volleyball skills. The Cougars ended their HVAL season in 4th place which sent them to Poughkeepsie, New York, for the first round of the championship tournament at Faith Christian Academy. After a hard-fought battle for every point, the girls ultimately fell to a strong FCA team in 3 sets. “Although the girls lost 7-25, 17-25, and 10-25, they never gave up on each point played. There were some great volleys during each game, but FCA had a tremendous day of serving multiple aces that SKS could not turn around. It was a great season of getting better at the game of volleyball and learning how to be better athletes and better teammates. Each player worked hard at their individual skills and I’m looking forward to working with an even stronger team next season,” Coach McMahon commented.
