PLATTSBURGH – Sunday was a good day for soccer in New York's far north. It was cloudy, but not too cool. The Lady Raiders gave a good effort and showed some solid soccer skills, but were shut out by Clinton CC's Lady Cougars 5-0.
FM's Tessa Hadland came very close to scoring three times, and Andrea Rich rang a shot off the crossbar, but the visiting Raiders were unable to hit the back of Clinton's net.
Photo: Andrea Rich advances the ball – the other Raiders, from left, are Iveth Velasquez, Tessa Hadland, and Cori Manson
The Cougars scored their first goal in the game's seventh minute. Cougar Hailey McLaughlin took a corner kick from the right side and sent it to Kiky Regan, who was 15 yards out, in front of the goal. McLaughlin nailed the shot and scored.
Photo: One of Raider Tessa Hadland's serious strikes
FM was keeping the Cougars at bay. Defenders Hanna Cromie, Brittany Keator, and their teammates were playing well. Goaltender Heather Staelens was solid in the goal and was making impressive saves. Then, with just over six minutes left in the half, Cougars Regan and McLaughlin intercepted an FM pass and scored.
The first half ended with Clinton ahead 2-0 and with a substantial problem for FM. Midfielder Rebecca Custer-Slater suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game. The Lady Raiders played most of the rest of the game with only 10 players.
FM's Staelens continued to impress in goal. At one point she made two tough saves in three seconds.
Photo: Heather Staelens saves a hard shot to her left, jumps up, and makes a tough diving save, all in just three seconds
Clinton scored their third goal with a long cross from the right wing and a head-in by Hannah McLean.
Tessa Hadland attacked again and was tripped in the penalty area. Andrea Rich stepped to the spot and made an impressive kick, but it struck the crossbar and came down in front of the goal where it was caught by Clinton's goalkeeper.
Clinton scored two more times. Their last goal came with only 26 seconds left in the game.
The Lady Raiders are now 0-2 on the young season. Their next outing is scheduled for Saturday, September 20 against SUNY Broome's Lady Hornets. The game is to be played at Broome, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
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