Liberty boys' soccer success a team effort

Indians' balance another reason for 8-0-0 start

Liberty goalkeeper Julian Spina makes a save during their game against Tuxedo on Thursday.CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

By WILLIAM MONTGOMERY

Published: 2:00 AM - 09/30/12

LIBERTY Through the first eight games of the season, the Liberty boys' soccer team isn't lacking for offensive firepower.

Freshman striker Gustavo Romero (14 goals, three assists) and senior midfielder Pedro Garcia (nine goals, 13 assists) are tied for first place atop the Section 9 scoring list with 31 points apiece.

Liberty improved to 8-0-0 with a 3-2 overtime victory Thursday at Tuxedo, but the reason for the Indians' success doesn't lie in the pursuit of scoring records. In fact, head coach Debbie Simpson has tried to instill the opposite message in her players: it doesn't matter who scores.

"We don't care who's leading the team in goals or assists," she said. "We're just working the ball down the field. Their goal is to win games, not to see who has the most goals."

"She's right. It really doesn't matter," said senior defender Christopher Symanski. "I'm pretty sure almost everyone on the team has scored a goal, even the goalie."

Of the 20 players on the roster, 17 have recorded at least one goal or one assist, including starting goalkeeper Julian Spina, who has two goals to his credit. Since Liberty has outscored opponents by a 49-7 margin so far, Spina has gotten some time in the field as reserve goalkeeper Ignacio Feijo gains experience in net.

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Liberty boys' soccer success a team effort