JOHNSTOWN – The Lady Raiders closed out their home schedule in a close game with visiting Niagara County Community College. The Lady Thunder Wolves won the contest 3-1.
Playing conditions were rugged, with a harsh wind blowing from the west, but both teams handled the conditions well.
Photo: FM attacks with a corner kick – Raiders, from left, Tsugumi Mizutani, Rebecca Custer-Slater, Tessa Hadland, Brittany Keator
The game began with plenty of back-and-forth action. Niagara had an advantage in possession time. No goals were scored until late in the first half when NCCC's Courtney Slowe scored from 22 yards out. Christina Maynard added a second Niagara goal before the half ended. Maynard's shot hit the crossbar and deflected into the goal.
The second half began with the Lady Raiders holding their own. Their chances suffered a blow, however, when forward Iveth Velasquez suffered a leg injury with 25 minutes left in the game and was unable to return to action.
Photo: Striker Tessa Hadland and goalie Heather Staelens in action vs. Niagara on Sunday – on Saturday vs. Corning, Hadland scored two goals and Staelens saved a penalty kick
FMCC closed the score to 2-1 midway through the second half when Evelyn Duncan nailed a hard, low shot from 13 yards out (see photo at the bottom of this webpage).
FM kept pressure on the visitors, but Niagra's Victoria Zambuto broke in alone and scored with 17 minutes remaining. The game ended 3-1 Niagara.
The Lady Raiders will finish their season with a 2:00 p.m. match at Finger Lakes CC on Wednesday.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Photo: Evelyn Duncan, #16 at far left, watches her hard shot fly past the Niagara keeper
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