M-W Varsity Girls Basketball team opens season with 31-26 loss to Arlington
![M-W Varsity Girls Basketball team opens season with 31-26 loss to Arlington Photos by William Dimmit The 2017-2018 Crusaders line up for the National Anthem before taking on Admirals of Arlington on Monday, Dec. 4.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/768x296/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/RXGN/SPORTS_171209978_AR_0_0_PN20171205171209978_MG2870806.jpg)
![M-W Varsity Girls Basketball team opens season with 31-26 loss to Arlington Alyx Sperling fires a pass in the first quarter.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/309x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/SSNM/SPORTS_171209978_EP_-1_0_PN20171205171209978_MG2870807.jpg)
![M-W Varsity Girls Basketball team opens season with 31-26 loss to Arlington Ava Delardi (#23) drives into traffic on her way to the basket.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/249x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/RRNJ/SPORTS_171209978_EP_-1_1_PN20171205171209978_MG2870817.jpg)
![M-W Varsity Girls Basketball team opens season with 31-26 loss to Arlington Caroline Helbeck (#11) drives for two points in the second half of the game.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/306x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/RQNY/SPORTS_171209978_EP_-1_2_PN20171205171209978_MG2870842.jpg)
CENTRAL VALLEY — On Monday night, Dec. 4, at Monroe-Woodbury High School, the Varsity Girls Basketball Team began its 2017-18 season when they hosted the Admirals of Arlington High School in a non-league game.
The Crusaders got off to a 9-7 first quarter lead behind the four points and two steals by Caroline Helbeck.
In the second quarter, the Admirals tightened up their defense and held the Crusaders to five points.
The two teams reached the half with the Crusaders leading 14-13.
In the third quarter it looked as though the Crusaders just might pull away when they scored 10 points, with Ava Delardi and Jamie Waldron each scoring four as they jumped out to a 24-18 lead.
But in the fourth quarter the Admirals' defense held the Crusaders to two points while they rolled off 13.
The Crusaders' 31-26 loss to the Admirals brings their season record to 0-1 and marks their first home loss since 2015-16 season when they dropped a home game against Albany High School.
The Crusaders will travel to Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie to play in a tournament on Saturday.
- William Dimmit