LIBERTY – The Liberty Redhawks and the Fallsburg Comets boys’ soccer teams squared off Wednesday in Liberty, in a non-league game that would serve as a testing ground for the upcoming tournament.

The Redhawks came away with a one-sided 5–0 win over the Comets.

 Liberty’s Alonso Yupanqui scored the first goal of the contest, knocking in a rebound on a loose ball. 

Fallsburg had several good shot attempts, an advantage in possessions, and numerous opportunities to score, but they were unable to convert those opportunities into points. That would be all the scoring in the first half, with the Redhawks taking a 1–0 lead into the break. The first half was well played by two teams who appeared to be evenly matched. 

The second half was a different story. Liberty’s Rene Barnal Huezo drove to the net, maneuvering around Fallsburg’s goalkeeper, to get the score and increase their lead to 2-0.

Liberty’s third goal came shortly after on a well-executed set play from the corner that culminated with Zach Alvord putting a header in for the goal. Fallsburg seemed to lose their spark as their play on the field began to slow.

The final two goals for the Redhawks were scored by Brayan Hernandez Ballen and Ryan Romero Bello to close out their defeat over the Comets.

With an overall record of 5–5–2, and 2–0–1, in league play, Fallsburg head coach was quick to put it in perspective, “We played a good first half, pretty even. In the second half we could’ve shared the ball a little better. They were better in the box today and took advantage of that, but it’s a good tune-up for the tournament stretch coming up.”

Coach Rich Feeney of the Redhawks, 7–3–2, overall, and 3–1–1, in league play had similar thoughts, “It was a tale of two half’s really, but we were able to figure it out at half time, made some adjustments, and the boys responded. Now we’re getting ready for sectionals and do some fine tuning with some of our newer guys.”