Area well represented in Girls' Soccer Hall of Fame

The inaugural induction class for the New York State Girls' Soccer Hall of Fame has been announced and three of the members come from Section II: Tamarac girls' soccer coach Craig Gilbert, Tamarac star Nicole Roberts and Shenendehowa standout Betsy Drambour.

In all, 18 people are being inducted into the first class – including World Cup and Olympic star Abby Wambach, who starred at Our Lady of Mercy in Rochester.

Gilbert, who retired in 2010, led the Bengals to the 2004 state Class C championship. That was one of many quality accomplishments from a man revered by his players.

"It was nice to be recognized. I just got the email (Monday)," Gilbert said. "Longevity means a lot, I guess."

Gilbert did not merely coach for a long period of time. We won and produced a list of solid players and athletes that went on to do a great deal after graduation.

Tamarac won 17 league titles and 12 Section II championships under Gilbert's tutelage. During the height of his run at Tamarac, Gilbert's squads registered 102 straight wins against Section II competition. Overall, he led the Bengals to 478 wins, 76 losses and 38 ties over 28 years.

In addition to coaching, Gilbert was a league representative and later the Section II girls' soccer coordinator.

"I am very humbled. This is more than what I thought it would be," Gilbert said.

Roberts tallied 163 goals at Tamarac and helped bring the program up to the state level. She started her college career at the University of Massachusetts and later played at North Carolina. The Tar Heels won the national title in 1996 and Roberts also played for the U.S. National team.

"I thought that was very nice, She is very deserving," Gilbert said. "She definitely put her mark on soccer."

After scoring 69 goals during her career at Shenendehowa, Drambour went on to star at George Mason University. She helped lead the Patriots to the 1985 national title and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

Drambour, like Roberts, competed with the U.S. National team and competed several years at the Empire State Games. She later got into coaching.

The induction ceremony will take place Labor Day Weekend 2017 in Herkimer.

Section II fares well with state girls' volleyball all-stars

A total of 18 players have been selected to state girls' volleyball all-star teams from Section II. Seven athletes landed first-team slots.

Shenendehowa senior setter Julia Paliwodzinski and Shenendehowa junior middle blocker Nicole Adams each landed on the Class AA first-team list. The other first-team selections are Burnt Hills senior outside hitter Lexi Pawlusik (A), Hudson Falls junior outside hitter Reagan Collier-Hogan (B), Galway sophomore middle hitter Lindsay Zawisa (C), Voorheesville junior outside hitter Emily Bablin (C), Argyle junior libero Autumn Aubry and Argyle junior outside hitter Danielle Sill (D).

The other players honored are Shenendehowa junior libero Charlotte Macken (third team, AA), Ballston Spa senior outside hitter Laiken Fox (fourth team, AA), Burnt Hills freshman outside hitter Hannah Shell (second team, A), South Glens Falls junior setter McKenzie Collier (third team, A), Hudson Falls junior middle hitter Moira Hogan (third team, B), Broadalbin-Perth senior outside hitter Jordan Marshall (fourth team, B), Galway sophomore outside hitter Emma Smith (fifth team, C), Argyle junior middle hitter Jessie Wilson (second team, D), Hartford senior middle hitter Jessica Getty (third team, D) and Hartford junior outside hitter Cailyn Harrington (fourth team, D).

jallen@timesunion.com - 518-454-5062 - @TUSidelines