Johnstown, NY – Wednesday afternoon offered ideal conditions for soccer. The Lady Raiders hosted the Saints of North Country Community College and both teams came to play. The spirited first half saw the two hustling teams play on even terms until the visitors scored twice in the final minutes of the period.
Photo: The Raiders attacking – from left: Carly Washburn, Amanda Edwards, Cari Cestone (with ball), Ahjae Jackson
The game began with the Raiders attacking the west goal. FM sent two early attacks at the North Country goal. The first Raider strike was by Angelica Perez and Leah Reinke. Then Reinke and Carly Washburn made a good dash at the goal.
The third FM raid paid off. Perez got the ball to Washburn who, despite being guarded by Saints and having the goalie run out to stop her, placed a shot into the goal from 14 yards out. FM led 1-0 after 15 minutes of play.
North Country evened the score two minutes later with a crossing pass from the right that was scored from 12 yards out from the far post. The game then went back and forth, with good play by both squads, until the Saints struck again with 12:29 left in the half. The visitors scored again two minutes later, and took a 3-1 lead into the break.
Photo: Carly Washburn is congratulated by Hanna Cromie (center) and Angelica Perez after scoring the game's first goal
The Raiders changed goal tenders for the second half. Amanda Edwards, who is effective as either a goalie or a field player, moved out of the goal and into a midfield spot. Braylynn Fahy moved back to guard the goal.
FM mounted a good attack early in the going, but did not score. North Country then tallied their fourth goal nine minutes into the half. Then, 2:32 later, the Saints struck for one more goal, making it 5-1, which would be the game's final score.
The Lady Raiders' next game is set for Wednesday, October 16, when they will host Mohawk Valley. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
C.J. Bonny, website writer