Shenendehowa and Bethlehem are no closer to determining which is the better Suburban Council boys soccer team than they were before Saturday’s showdown.
Ricky Grable’s goal with 3:30 left in the second half was the equalizer for Shen in a 1-1 overtime draw which left the Plainsmen and the Bethlehem Eagles even with 5-0-2 league records.
`It was a just result,` said Shen coach Jonathan Bain.
A stiff southerly breeze created an advantage for whichever team had the wind at its back. Bethlehem utilized it to apply pressure on Shen’s defense in the first half and the first 10-minute overtime period, while the Plainsmen did likewise to the Eagles’ backline in the second half and second OT.
But just as the wind propelled the teams down the field, it also created problems in terms of controlling the ball. Numerous lead passes sailed beyond their intended targets, and several shots on goal sailed over the crossbar.
`The wind was a huge factor,` said Bethlehem coach Phil Ridgway. `When the ball is picked up by the wind gusts, it can easily be misjudged.`
Bethlehem had several scoring opportunities in the first half, but the Eagles only capitalized on one of them. Ben Russell’s crossing pass landed in front of Zach Stryker, who rifled it past Plainsmen goaltender Justin Rohrwasser for a 1-0 lead.
Bethlehem goalie Alex Kessler made several leaping catches on Shen scoring attempts in the second half, but he couldn’t dive fast enough to knock Grable’s header away in the closing minutes of regulation.
`Ricky’s very fast,` Bain said of Grable. `That’s his best asset, and he just has a way (of getting into scoring position).`
`It was unfortunate we gave up a goal in the air late, but I was very pleased with how we played,` said Ridgway.
Each team had a scoring chance in the first overtime period. Shen knocked the ball close to Bethlehem’s goal, but the Eagles’ defense cleared it away. A minute later, Bethlehem’s Ethan Gunty blistered a direct kick on Rohrwasser, but the sophomore punched the ball away.
`Ethan’s strike was fantastic,` said Ridgway. `I thought it was going in the corner (of the goal), and their goalie got it.`
`I was pleased with Justin Rohrwasser because this was his first big game, and he played very well,` said Bain.
Shen created the best scoring chance of the second overtime period. Chris Schmid — who had been blanketed by Bethlehem’s defense for the entire game — headed a through pass towards the goal, but it sailed inches over the crossbar.
`The wind played a factor there,` said Bain. `The ball hung up there a little bit.`
Rohrwasser finished with five saves, while Kessler was credited with three stops in the lone regular season meeting between Shen and Bethlehem.
Both teams return to divisional action Monday. Shen hosts Shaker in a North Division game, while South Division leader Bethlehem plays Mohonasen in Delmar.