The Chapel Field Lions entered the game looking for answers.

What did the defending Section 9 Class D champions have after graduating several stars off last year’s team?

The Lions are still seeking those answers but got some indicators despite a 5-1 loss to the James I. O’Neill Raiders on Sept. 10 at Chapel Field Christian High School in Pine Bush.

“We were just looking to see what we have and we’re still looking to see who works well in what position,” Chapel Field coach Brad McDuffie said. “We’re moving guys around, and just trying to create a foundation for moving forward because we have a lot of question marks. Last year, I think, we were clear on what we wanted to be, and I think with this team, it’s going to be about finding our identity.”

The Raiders got on the board quickly, scoring the game’s first two goals before the Lions got a goal from Davey Acuna to cut the Raiders’ lead to 2-1. The Raiders scored another goal to widen the lead to 3-1 at halftime.

The Raiders had a chance to add an extra goal late in the first half, but Bryce Kenny’s direct kick from about 30 yards out sailed wide left.

The Raiders added two more goals in the second half, the first from freshman Asher Babkowski in the 55th minute, and another in the 62nd by junior Julio Mendez.

“They got a couple of fluky goals, and we expected them,” McDuffie said. “They’re always a very good, a very polished program. He’s been coaching there a long time, and we were a bit undermanned today.”

Even with a couple of preseason injuries and losing one of their better players at halftime, they still created some scoring opportunities in the second half, although they were unable to convert.

Chapel Field’s Eric Dennett had three chances to put more goals on the board. He bounced one shot off the crossbar in the 57th minute and shortly after the Raiders scored their fifth goal of the game, his shot was deflected by goalkeeper David Osgood.

“He’s got some good wheels on him and the big difference with him this year is last year, he had the speed, but he didn’t have the savvy,” McDuffie said. “He just came in this year with a different kind of awareness. I don’t know if he played a little soccer in the offseason, but he looks much more polished up there as a scorer, which is really encouraging.”

It’s the Week of the Raider for the Lions as they finished with a 2-0 road win over the Port Jervis Raiders on Thursday afternoon.
“They really get along and they really work for each other,” McDuffie said. “I feel positive, overall, about our progress. We’ve got a couple of guys that we’re hoping to get back pretty soon, so hopefully when we get those guys back, we’ll be just a little bit stronger, overall.”