Shen takes high road to shared championship
Not taking forfeit after game vs. Shaker called off due to COVID case
The teams warmed up. Moments later, Shenendehowa and Shaker each gathered on the field and soon it was announced Saturday morning that the Suburban Council Tournament final between the girls’ soccer teams had been canceled because of a COVID-19 case related to Shaker.
Instead of taking a forfeit, Shenendehowa decided it would share the league tournament title with Shaker as co-champions.
Parents came out on the field to take team pictures. After a few minutes, Shen broke into an impromptu team scrimmage.
“We are trying to be cautious and very careful,” Shaker principal Rich Murphy said. “In this world that we are living in with tracing and situations that arise, we need time to be able to follow through with any type of concerns or possibilities.”
Shaker coach Mike Brehm received a call from Shaker athletic director Matt Stein 19 minutes before the scheduled 11 a.m. start.
“It was an amazing season
and a classy move by Shen,” Brehm said.
“This is a tough reality of the COVID era we’re in,” Shenendehowa superintendent Oliver Robinson said. “Every day, it is one of those things. I know as superintendent, I deal with cases every day. ... These young ladies feel fine, but we have to follow the protocols. These protocols are in the best interests of all.”
Shaker’s school website issued the following statement: “This morning, the North Colonie Central School District became aware of a presumed positive COVID case associated with the Shaker High School girls’ varsity soccer team. The team was scheduled to play in a highly anticipated game against Shenendehowa this morning at 11 a.m. for the Suburban Council Championship. Out of an abundance of caution, and for the health and safety of the Shaker and Shenendehowa athletes, the two teams decided to cancel today’s game. The teams will be named co-champions for the 2020-21 season.
“District administrators will address the team this afternoon. We are in contact with the Albany County Health Department and are working to identify the individual’s close contacts in the school community. Anyone who has been in close contact with this individual will be directly contacted by a school administrator this weekend to discuss quarantine procedures and other health-related instructions. A call from the New York State Department of Health contact tracers will follow.”
After completing its scrimmage, Shenendehowa gathered at midfield for a prolonged chat with coach Holli Nirsberger and her coaching staff.
“We were all ready, focused and set to go,” Shenendehowa senior defender Sophia Demura said. “To have it end like that is so disappointing. We tried to make it for the best.”
“We had so much energy and it immediately stopped,” Shenendehowa senior midfielder Maia Lavigne said. “I am happy we got to scrimmage a little bit. We had fun. I wish we could have played, but we had fun.”
Regarding the potential of taking a forfeit but instead being co-champions, Lavigne said, “I am happy we did that because (Shaker) has no control over it. It was their school, not even their team. If I was in their position, I would have liked that as well. I think it was the right thing to do.”
“I think they handled it the right way. We would have loved to have the win coming out of that, but are grateful to come out as co-champions,” Demura said.
“I would not have anticipated this 10 minutes before a game,” Nirsberger said. “It was totally the right call to make.”
Nirsberger made the snap decision to allow her players one final run on the field together before releasing them.
“I flashed to what I would want as an athlete,” Nirsberger said. “I know I am feeling emotional and heartbroken for the seniors especially. I would have wanted to play. I think you saw they needed to play.”
The final was a highly anticipated contest. The teams tied 0-0 in October and were the top two seeds in the tournament. Shenendehowa (12-0-1) had 15 players score goals this season and enjoyed a 69-6 goal differential. Shaker (12-0-1) had 14 players score goals and featured a 60-7 goal differential.
“We were really looking forward to playing,” Nirsberger said. “We were so athletically matched up with goal scorers vs. solid defenders and excellent goalkeepers. You can’t take the (title) and run with it because of COVID. It is still a tough pill to swallow.”
“I am so happy we actually got to have a season,” Lavigne said.