LIBERTY –– It’s always a must-see high school soccer contest when division rivals Liberty and Fallsburg meet on the pitch. Tuesday’s showdown lived up to those expectations, with the Comets (10-2-3, 3-1-2 OCIAA) pulling out a 4-3 road win over the Indians (7-5, 3-3 OCIAA).

Liberty captain Lewis Paz started the scoring with a successful penalty kick about 20 minutes in. Before the break, his teammate Oscar Romero delivered a nice ball into the box that was finished by Anthony Llaguarima, so the Indians led 2-0 at the half.

But there was no quit in the Comets. Just a few minutes into the second half, they tied the game. Their first goal was scored by Jose Aleman who broke away from Liberty defenders for an unchallenged shot on goal. Then a few moments later, a Fallsburg ball into the box led to a Liberty own goal.

The tie would be short lived, as Liberty’s Norlis Acosta regained the Indians’ lead when his direct kick sailed to the back of the net.

But once again, Fallsburg responded, this time with a goal by Christian Garcia. All tied at three, the opportunity to seize the game was out there for both teams. However, it was the Comets who grasped it. A Liberty foul set up a direct kick by Fallsburg’s Olvin Jimenez, whose lob shot proved effective, putting the Comets up 4-3.

Liberty had a few chances to even the score in the remaining minutes but couldn’t net the equalizer. The Comets, who won the first meeting of the season between the two squads, held on for the win, therefore completing the sweep of their Class B rivals.

The Section 9 soccer playoff seed meeting was slated for this past Wednesday. With records over .500, both Fallsburg and Liberty’s resumes should qualify them for postseason play.