The Niskayuna boys soccer team is getting good at comebacks.
Scott Rogers’ goal with 3:27 left in regulation helped the Silver Warriors overcome a 1-0 halftime deficit on their way to a 2-1 victory over Ballston Spa Tuesday in a Suburban Council game.
We’ve had four wins from behind, said Niskayuna coach Dave Bundy. `I don’t know how many teams have won that many from behind (this year).`
Evan Jednyak knocked in a rebound off a first half free kick to give Ballston Spa (4-4-1 league, 8-4-1 overall) its lead. But once that happened, Bundy said the Scotties stopped attacking.
`They were taking it to us at the start, but once they got the lead, it seemed like they started playing defensive (soccer),` said Bundy.
It took a while for Niskayuna (8-0-1, 9-1-1) to capitalize on Ballston Spa’s lack of aggressiveness. Jake Johnson got the Silver Warriors on the scoreboard 18 minutes into the second half when he took a feed from Rogers and shot the ball past Kevin DeCelle to tie the game at 1. Rogers then won the game when his shot deflected off a Ballston Spa defender past DeCelle for the final goal.
The victory gives Niskayuna a two-point lead over Shenendehowa in the Suburban Council Blue Division standings heading into its Thursday game with the Plainsmen. Shen tied the Silver Warriors in their first meeting in early September but has gone on to post a 6-0-2 league record since then.
`It’s always interesting to see where (Shen is) at,` said Bundy. `They’re always at a different place at this time of year.`
Sabres suffer first setback
In other boys soccer action Tuesday, the Schalmont Sabres lost their first game of the season when Albany Academy posted a 3-0 Colonial Council victory.
Randy Taylor scored off a Denzel Ogunyase assist in the first half to give the Cadets (7-2, 9-2) a 1-0 lead. Ogunyase tallied late in the first half, and Chris Paratore added a second-half goal to extend the lead.
Schalmont fell to 8-1 in the league, but maintained a one-game lead over Albany Academy and Voorheesville in the Colonial Council standings. Voorheesville dropped to 7-2 in the league with a 1-0 loss against Cobleskill-Richmondville Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Mohonasen remained winless in the Suburban Council with a 3-1 loss to Averill Park. Teddy DeConno, Stephen Deeb and Nick Haggerty all tallied for Averill Park, while Ben Noonan scored Mohonasen’s goal.
In a Western Athletic Conference game Monday, Schenectady Christian suffered its second league loss with a 3-2 setback against Mayfield.
The Falcons took a 2-1 halftime lead on goals by Jake Bowman and Jason Reed, but the Panthers struck for two second half goals to pull out the win.
Scotia posts shut out
In girls soccer action Tuesday, the Scotia-Glenville Lady Tartans received goals from three different players in a 3-0 Foothills Council victory over Johnstown.
Caitlyn Stahl, Clarissa Myers and Hannah Carroll tallied for Scotia-Glenville. “
