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Annual Dustin Strumke Soccer Tournament Wrap Up at PV High School
Putnam Valley High School's veteran varsity girls' soccer coach, Jerri Cohen, is the driving force behind the annual Dustin Strumke Soccer Tournament, held each fall in memory of Dustin Strumke, a talented student athlete who died in a tragic accident in 2002. This is her summary of the event, which took place on September 28 and 29 on the Putnam Valley turf field.
"It rained on Friday evening, as it seems to do every year since the very first tournament (the girls call it "Dustin's tears"). It cleared as quickly as it came in, with two beautiful rainbows "sent for luck." Leading off with a cheer, "Do it for Dustin," Putnam Valley defeated Lakeland in the first round on a goal by Kaycie Jacobs (with an assist from Tina Wallach), and Hen Hud defeated Panas in game 2. On Saturday, Panas defeated Lakeland in the consolation game. With just 14 minutes remaining in the championship game Hen Hud scored to defeat Putnam Valley, 1-0. Torie Hamilton had a total of 40 saves over the two games. In addition to Torie, Katie Mias, Sharon Cranwell, Tara Gleason, and Kaycie Jacobs were named to the All-Tournament Team. The girls played two great games of soccer. The tournament was a big success, and all teams were invited to come back next year."
Over the last five years, the Putnam Valley School District girls' soccer teams (Varsity, JV, and Modified)- along with their coaches and the parents and families of many of the girls- have donated their time, services, and materials to raise money for the Dustin Strumke Memorial Scholarships. At the annual Putnam Valley High School Senior Awards Night next June, two scholarships will again be presented in Dustin Strumke's name to Putnam Valley High School senior student athletes, one each to a graduating senior girl and boy who exemplify the perseverance, dedication and commitment to excellence in academics and athletics that were characteristic of Putnam Valley student athlete Dustin Strumke, who would have graduated from PVHS in 2007.
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