Newburgh Free Academy’s girls’ golf team has had a trying season, and the Goldbacks have been competing hard to win against good teams this year.

“I thought we could compete this year,” said Pete Marotta, Newburgh’s coach, when his team entered a tri-match Monday, May 6 against New Paltz and Minisink. “Unfortunately, we have a really good league this year.”

The Lady Goldbacks left the match at Apple Greens in third place and dropped to 7-11 overall. Cameron Roth, a senior, shot a 50, and Reagan Roth, her younger sister, shot a 56. Hannah Cestaro shot a 65 for Newburgh.

The Goldbacks split with Monroe-Woodbury and Kingston this year. But Newburgh’s real nemesis might be Valley Central, which beat Port Jervis 156-200 on the same day of the Goldbacks were losing to New Paltz and Minisink.

“Everybody is really evenly matched,” said Marrotta, “except for Valley Central this year.”