Three local teams made it to sectionals this year with Ichabod Crane leading the way as the #1 South team in Class A and the Riders received a first round BYE. Chatham who had a strong regular season was seeded second in Class CC and also received a BYE into round two. New Lebanon the eighth seed in Class D coming from the Central Hudson Valley League had a first round match up before playing again on Friday.
New Lebanon v. Fort Ann
After a stirring 3-0 victory in the first round the Tigers knew they'd be fighting an uphill battle on Friday as they would square off with top seeded Fort Ann. Fort Ann scored two first half goals and dominated the action for most of the first half. With under five minutes left the Tigers struck to draw within one on a Todd Ferguson goal.
In the second half the Tigers came out fired up and looked primed to pull a potentially major upset. However 8 minutes into the half Fort Ann took advantage of pressure in front of the Tigers goal to push their lead to two.
New Lebanon scored another goal by Ferguson with time winding down. With precious little time left on the clock the Tigers had one last shot with a free kick just outside the box that found it's way on goal but a good save by the Fort Ann keeper preserved the win for Fort Ann.
It was a good run for the Tigers who did not have a typical "New Lebanon year" this season as they did not compete at the top of the league. Still a first round sectional win followed by a near upset of the top seed is a solid finish to their season.
Hoosick Falls v. Chatham
Although they did not capture at least a share of the Patroon Conference title for what would have been the third consecutive year the Chatham Panthers still had a good year and were seeded second in Class CC. Facing the seventh seed Hoosick Falls on Friday the Panthers seed was not enough as they were upset 4-1.
Hoosick Falls dominated the game from the get go and despite some early Chatham chances were the first ones to get on the scoreboard off a corner kick 16 minutes into the game. The Panthers had a chance to even things up when they sent a long ball past the Hoosick Falls defender but Will Gauthier got to it as the keeper charged and cleared it up the sideline. Tyler Mashaw took control of the clearance and sent a ball right back into the box with the defense scrambling. Gauthier headed the ball towards the net but the keeper made a terrific one handed stop to keep it out of the net.
Hoosick Falls ran an effective off sides trap in the first half helping to nuetralize any offensive efforts by the Panthers. With the lead and only 40 minutes to play the seventh seeded Panthers employed five full time defenders and another midfielder assigned to defend in an attemp to hold on for the 1-0 victory.
Another corner kick resulted in another Hoosick Falls goal in the second half before they added a third on some defensive miscues later in the half. Chatham finally got on board when Todd Van Alstyne drove a free kick low through an eight man wall and past the keeper.
Hoosick Falls responded with yet another goal despite their defensive formation as they shocked all of Class CC with the upset victory.
Keep an eye out of our Season in Review after all teams have completed post season play where we will take a look at the players Chatham will be losing and returning next season.
Catholic Central v. Ichabod Crane
The Riders came in fresh while their opponents had played a game just days earlier and ICC took full advantage taking control from the opening kickoff. The Riders dominated possession and quality chances for the full 80 minutes as the Crusaders never truly threatened.
With 27 minutes on the clock in the first half, ICC freshman Tyler Jablanski crossed the ball into the middle where it was played off to Mitchell Niemeyer who finished to give the Riders a 1-0 lead. Less than seven minutes later the Riders sent a fantastic ball through the CCHS defense and onto the running foot of Kyle Kline who calmly touched it past the opposing keeper as he's done so many times this season.
Those two goals would be all the Riders would need as their defense completely shut down Catholic Central. Led by sweeper Nick Boardman and stopper Steven Domino the ICC defense continued it's string of stellar play.
The victory moves the Riders into the next round where they will face either Mohonasen or Scotia Glenville next Thursday at 2 at a nuetral site in Queensbury.
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