HTC Booster Club Hosts Soccer Tournament Over the Weekend

HTC vs. Gilboa-Conesville / Roxbury in A - Mountain Eagle Section

TANNERSVILLE — The Hunter-Tannersville Central Booster Club hosted its annual Soccer Tournament on Saturday, September 21, under beautiful weather. The first match of the day saw Windham Girls Varsity face off against Germantown, with Windham coming out on top, 1-0. In the second game, Germantown Boys Varsity took on Windham. Before the match, Germantown held a 1-4 record.

I spoke with Germantown's goalie Aiden O’Brien, who shared, "We lost a lot of seniors last year, so it's been challenging and a little frustrating."

Germantown's Boys Varsity Head Coach, Nathan Bowles, has led the team for three years. Despite their struggles, with just one win so far against Doane Stuart-Rensselaer, Bowles remains optimistic. "We love this tournament. It's great to play teams that are evenly matched. We're working hard as a team and growing with many younger players. These guys are starting to come together and trust each other," he said.

Windham-Ashland-Jewett's Boys Varsity team is led by first-year Head Coach Anthony Savasta, who was previously the assistant coach for three years. Savasta reflected on his team's season so far: "We've had a little bit of a slow start but found our rhythm, and now it's just a matter of letting it all fall into place."

The third game of the day featured Hunter-Tannersville Girls Varsity against Gilboa-Conesville-Roxbury. Hunter-Tannersville entered the game with a 1-5 record, with their sole win being a non-league victory over Worcester. Hunter-Tannersville Girls Varsity Head Coach Dawn Plattner, now in her third year coaching, praised her team's effort. "They're working hard. We run, outplay, and dominate offensively but can't seem to find the net," she explained.

Plattner also emphasized the tournament's importance to the community. "The Booster Club Tournament is always a success and a great way to spend time with the community. We're always grateful for the Booster Club and their work for our Athletic Department," she added.

Platter has been coaching at HTC for more than three decades.

Gilboa-Conesville Girls Varsity is coached by Amanda Ross, while Roxbury's Head Coach is Amy Kauffman. Ross noted the growth of her team: "The girls are coming together as a team and are learning how to work together. Every game we've played this season has been a coin toss."

Gilboa-Conesville / Roxbury won 3-1.

First-year Booster Club President Bobbi Schmitt was proud of the day's events. "The Tournament is a tradition here at HTC, and I'm proud to be a part of it. We want to thank the communities, sponsors, and volunteers who come out for two Saturdays each year to support us," she said.

The event featured plenty of donated baked goods, including Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brownies baked by my mom, Pam Oppen—thanks, Mom! Hamburgers, hotdogs, Gatorade, and water were also available. The Booster Club offered cozy blankets for sale embroidered with "Hunter-Tannersville Wildcats," as well as raffles and prizes.

The turnout was excellent, and the proceeds from the fundraising supported the athletic department for scholarships, team hats, jackets, and sports equipment.

According to Brent Dearing, athletic director of the Hunter-Tannersville Central School District, the district has been holding these tournaments since at least the early 1990s.