East Palmyra soccer team

It wasn't taken for granted that the EPCS Eagles would go undefeated for a second year in a row. Last year, the East Palmyra Christian School co-ed grades 6-8 soccer team ended their season with a 6-0-2 record.

But after graduating five starting eighth graders to Newark and Pal-Mac High Schools, Eagles Coach and EPCS Principal Keith Vanderzwan (pictured) wasn't certain about a repeat performance.

"Graduating your highest scorer (Luke Starkenburg - now on Newark JV) is a blow to any team," said Coach V. "But we've come through the transition well. Other players have filled in the gaps left by our eighth graders and the kids are playing excellent soccer."

And to date, the Eagles are sporting a 4-0 record, outscoring the opposition by a 21 to 4 goal margin. Strong offensive play by Matthew Van Ooyen (Newark), and solid defense anchored by Tom VanHalle (Newark), Aaron Vanderzwan (Fairport), and Ben Stoep (Lyons) have provided the team with sound soccer. The team, which is made up mostly of sixth and seventh graders, plays a nine-game schedule.

It is part of the Western NY Christian Athletics Association, which includes, among others, Calvary Chapel in Canandaigua and Rochester Christian School in Penfield.

The 1997 East Palmyra Christian School Eagles: (8th graders, back row) Kim Hughes of Marion; Julie Ryckbost, Matthew Van Ooyen, Henry Kuperus, Tom Van Halle, David Whitehouse of Newark; Aaron Vanderzwan of Fairport; Ben Stoep of Lyons; Coach Vanderzwan; (middle row, grade 7) Cherie Van Halle and Sarah Dingman of Newark; Laura Marsille and Debra Kinnear of Pal-Mac; Lucas Stoep, Lyons; sixth graders: Newark: Carrie Sheehe, Amanda Kuperus, Ashley Kuperus; (front) also grade 6 from Newark: Kerrie Van Halle, Stacey Van Ooyen, Jared VandenBout, Dan Van Halle, goalkeeper Ben Milliman; Matthew Cosh of Canandaigua; Josh Stoep, Lyons. (Sandra Marcano photo)

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