The Schalmont girls soccer team is alone atop the Colonial Council standings, but getting there wasn’t easy.
The Sabres scored three times in the second half to overcome a 2-0 halftime deficit, but they needed a Jessica Strang goal in overtime to defeat Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk 4-3 in Tuesday’s battle of the remaining unbeaten teams in the league.
The Indians (5-1 league) took their first half lead on goals by Kelly McGuire and Ashley Wilson before Schalmont (6-0) got in gear in the second half. Lisa Tarquino scored twice, and Strang added a goal to help the Sabres pull even at 3.
Brittney McDonald stopped 15 shots to help Schalmont gain a one-game lead on RCS in the standings.
The victory over RCS capped another strong week for Schalmont. The Sabres entered Tuesday’s action off wins against Cobleskill and Mechanicville.
Schalmont coach Angelo Caschera said having veterans such as Strang and Tarquino have helped a cast of younger players adjust to the varsity level.
The young players are stepping up and playing at (the veterans’) level. These kids play soccer all year long, so it helps at the school level, said Caschera.
Schalmont has one game left in the first half of the league season ` a Thursday meeting against Voorheesville. The Sabres begin the second half Saturday by playing Cohoes.
In other girls soccer action Tuesday, Niskayuna played Bethlehem to a 1-1 draw, while Shaker defeated Mohonasen 4-0 in the Suburban Council.
Kate Halvorsen gave Bethle-hem a 1-0 lead in the first half before Leah Rubino tied the game 12 minutes later for Niskayuna. Marie Mutryn stopped 22 shots to preserve the tie for the Silver Warriors.
Mohonasen goalie Danielle Stabinski had a busy day in the Mighty Warriors’ game against Shaker. Stabinski made 13 saves against the Lady Bison’s 17 shots.
Marissa Amiraian and Corinne Pro each had a goal and an assist to lead Shaker’s attack.
Niskayuna and Mohonasen meet Thursday night in Rotter-dam.“