The Shaker boys soccer team has been on a goal-scoring binge lately.
The Blue Bison (7-0-1) defeated Ballston Spa 3-0 Saturday, Sept. 20, to continue a trend they began with a 7-1 victory over Mo-honasen Sept. 11. Shaker has scored at least three goals in each of its last five games, including back-to-back six-goal performances against Colonie and Columbia last week.
Carter Haydock got the Blue Bison on the scoreboard against Ballston Spa (3-4-1) in the 17th minute when he tucked Tommy Jelstrom’s pass into the goal. David Riccio headed in Kevin Lindsay’s free kick 10 minutes later to put Shaker in front 2-0. Lindsay tallied the Blue Bison’s final goal just before halftime.
Ballston Spa controlled the ball for much of the second half, but Shaker’s defense kept the ledger clean to post its second straight shutout.
Shaker began the week with a hard-fought 6-1 victory over crosstown rival Colonie Tuesday, Sept. 16. The game was close until the Blue Bison scored five times in the final 28 minutes.
Lindsay gave Shaker a 1-0 lead late in the first half. Colonie (4-3-1) tied the score on Matt Walsh’s long goal six minutes into the second half before the Blue Bison broke the game open. Haydock and Jelstrom each tallied twice, and Matt JeanPierre added a goal in the final stretch.
Shaker rode the momentum into a 6-0 victory at Columbia (1-7-0) Thursday, Sept. 18. The Blue Bison scored five times in the first half before coasting to the win.
Sean Larkin recorded a hat trick to lead Shaker’s offense. Jelstrom, Haydock and JeanPierre also tallied.
Shaker has a critical two-game stretch this week. After hosting Shenendehowa (8-0-0) Tuesday, Sept. 23, the Blue Bison visit traditional South Division power Bethlehem (4-3-1) Saturday, Sept. 27.
Colonie bounced back from its five-goal loss to Shaker by beating Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Mohonasen last week.
Walsh, Selmir Sasic, Eni Luro and Wass Habiballa all tallied for the Garnet Raiders, who had lost their previous three games before meeting Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (1-7-0).
Colonie extended its shutout streak to 160 minutes by beating Mohonasen 3-0 Saturday, Sept. 20. Sasic, Walsh and Zack Shaw led a balanced Garnet Raider offense with a goal apiece.
After hosting Bethlehem Tuesday, Sept. 23, Colonie welcomes Niskayuna (5-2-1) to its side of town Friday, Sept. 26.
In other soccer action last week, Christian Brothers Academy (5-0-1) suffered the first blemish on its record with a 1-1 tie against LaSalle Thursday, Sept. 18, in Colonie.
Matt Crisafulli tallied two minutes into the game to put the Brothers ahead 1-0. John Gordon scored in traffic early in the second half to tie the game at 1-1 for the Cadets (5-4-1), and neither side found the back of the goal after that.
CBA hosted Schenectady Tuesday, Sept. 23.