LIBERTY — The second season of the Town of Liberty Adult Women’s Soccer League came to a close on Sunday after 10 summer weekends full of soccer. 

The league returned this summer after their inaugural season last year,  while growing the number of teams in their second year.

The Sullivan Strikers, who won the championship last season, were back at the top of the standings this year with a chance to defend their crown and become back-to-back champions.

The Strikers outscored their opponents 27-7 in the eight-game regular season, finishing with a 7-1 record en route to the No. 1 seed. They drew the No. 4 seed, Safe Harbor, in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday afternoon.

The Strikers stayed true to their name, finding the back of the net five times as they cruised to a 5-1 victory in the semifinal.

Paige Clancy, Samantha Cummings, Maggi Fitzpatrick, Caroline Martin and Nicole Reeves all netted a goal in the win. Safe Harbor’s lone gone was scored by Tori Mattracion.

In the second semifinal matchup, it was No. 2 Schmidt’s vs No. 3 Next Level. Schmidt’s finished the regular season with six wins, no losses and two draws. Next Level finished the regular season with a 4-2-2 record.

The second semifinal was a much closer contest, with Next Level Fitness taking a 3-2 win. Lindsey Parks (2) and Tanya Kalivas netted the goals needed to propel the No. 3 seed to the championship and hand Schmidt’s their first loss of the season. Demi Cruz scored both goals for Schmidt’s in the loss. 

With the championship teams set, the two lined up and set off for the chance to bring home the first place trophy.

Strikers’ Paige Clancy drew first blood in the game, scoring a goal early on and taking a 1-0 lead. Ami Calo knocked in a second goal, and Danielle Englehart netted a third in the first half as the Strikers sped out to a 3-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, the offense belonged to Next Level, who netted two goals to cut the lead to 3-2. Lindsey Parks and Sara Dertinger scored the two goals in the second half as Next Level tried to equalize before the final whistle.

When the game was finished, it was the Sullivan Strikers at the top, winning their second consecutive Women’s Soccer League Championship.

“The final was very well fought and the tournament in general was great,” Next Level team Captain Allison Pabon said. “This league is for moms and young women and it’s all about comraderie amongst women.”

Maggi Fitzpatrick, the Team Captain for the Sullivan Strikers said, “I’m really happy that we got to play and that the rain stayed away. All four teams played really well today, which was awesome. We played a much better first half in the championship offensively, but our defense was able to hold it down until the end.”

On the season in general, Fitzpatrick said, “We had six teams start the season, so we had a great turnout of people and we hope to keep growing the league.”

Both championship game Team Captains also took a moment to thank their sponsors. “We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our sponsor Next Level Gym,” Pabon addded.

“Thank you to Harris Funeral Home, Babich Auto Services and Fitzpatrick Consulting Group for sponsoring our team,” Fitzpatrick added on behalf of the Sullivan Strikers.