GAME OF THE WEEK: LADY RIDERS CAPTURE PATROON CONFERENCE TITLE
Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports
11-07-09 - 1:25 p.m. - With Maple Hill's victory over Taconic Hills earlier in the day, the Riders knew coming into their evening contest against a very good Greenville team that they would need a win to earn their fifth consecutive league title. After a quick start the Riders faltered but held on for a 4-2 victory to bring home the crown.
A mere 1:20 into the game the Riders set the tone as Shana Barry lofted a corner kick to the far post where Morgan Van Alstyne headed into the back of the net. The Riders kept up the pressure firing shots on goal but not being able to break through. |
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The constant pressure on the Greenville defense eventually paid off as Haley Ooms made her way up the sideline and crossed the ball. The cross was just far enough from the goal to give Greenville keeper Bonnie Harvey too much distance to cover, leaving her out of position. Cassidy Lester got a leg to the ball and send it up and over Harvey for a 2-0 lead.
With 5:50 left in the first half, the Riders put themselves well out in front with another goal. The ball was played into the box, and Harvey charged, with Alex Armstrong bearing down on her. Armstrong took a quick shot that went off Harvey and bounced free. Armstrong took full advantage, following up her own shot and pushing the lead to 3-0.
In the second half Greenville upped their attack right from the start. Michelle Schoenborn was cutting through defenders with half an hour left, but couldn't finish as Alicia Mink charged from the goal to make a save. With 24:30 left in the game, Greenville finally got on the board on a miscue by the Riders' defense. Taylor Anne Young crossed a ball into the box, and the Riders had a chance to clear, but the clearance attempt went straight up into the air. Mink went to catch but Schoenborn challenged her, and as the ball fell free Schoenborn finished to cut the deficit to two.
Six minutes later the Riders' lead was sliced to 3-2 when Alex Van Auken struck a fantastic ball from the top of the box up and over Mink and into the upper part of the net. With momentum all the Spartans' the game's outcome was in doubt, but the Riders would not let the title slip from their grasp.
Shanna Barry took a corner and sent it high into the box. The ball was headed up, and it looked like Harvey had it in her hands, but the ball slipped free and seemed to cross the line for a goal as the officials stopped play and ICC celebrated. After a long break in the action, a Greenville player was red-carded and a penalty kick was awarded. ICC senior sweeper Lacey Powers stepped to the penalty spot and calmly put the ball into the back of the net, giving her team a lead they would never relinquish.
The victory improves the Riders record to 14-1-1, and they seemed in great shape for a high sectional seed. But on Tuesday, the Riders were awarded just the sixth seed in Class A and are currently scheduled to face number 11 Gloversville.
The Spartans who led the league for the first half of the season but struggled down the stretch were awarded the fifth seed in Class B and are scheduled to host number 12 Cohoes on Wednesday.
