Johnstown, NY – The Lady Cougars of Clinton CC visited FM for the Lady Raiders' season opener on Wednesday afternoon. The team from far-northern New York shut out the Lady Raiders 4-0.
The skies were blue and beautiful, but the heat and humidity were unseasonably high–very high. Both squads had to substitute liberally, and, all considered, both squads handled the heat well.
Photo: Leah Reinke sends the ball forward to Angelica Perez
The contest began with both sides working the ball well. Then, 18 minutes into the game, a Cougar got open for a shot from 16 yards out and scored. 1-0 Clinton.
Eight minutes later, Clinton got a similar chance from 18 yards out. The scoring shot was well placed, landing in the low right corner of the FM goal.
The final score of the first half came on a penalty kick. FM's goal tender, Amanda Edwards, read the shot very well and leaped to her left. The shot was just out of reach and flew into the goal mere inches above Edwards' fingers.
Edwards is also a capable midfielder. Head Coach Rich Monroe moved her to midfield for the second half and sent Sisina Macchiarelli into the goal. Macchiarelli and the Raiders played solid defense for half an hour, but then the Cougars knocked the ball into the goal after a close-in scramble. That was the final score in the 4-0 game.
The Lady Raiders will meet another conference rival in their next game. FM will travel to Herkimer for a 4:30 kickoff on Wednesday.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Photos below, from left: Sisina Macchiarelli, Alexis Hime, Hanna Cromie, and Amanda Edwards
