Ten games into the season, Shaker is the only undefeated Suburban Council boys soccer team.
Tommy Jelstrom’s goal in the first overtime period gave the Blue Bison (9-0-1) a 2-1 victory over Bethlehem Saturday, Sept. 27.
“We didn’t play all that well today, but the thing about having a team that’s friends with each other is that they will keep working together and find a way to win,” said Shaker coach Dan Fountain. “Sometimes, you have to grind out a win like that.”
“It’s just been the season,” said Bethlehem coach Phil Ridgway, who saw his team’s record fall to 4-5-1. “We could easily be 9-1. With the exception of the Shen game (a 4-0 loss Sept. 11), we’ve been in every game.”
Jelstrom had been a thorn in Bethlehem’s side throughout the second half, as he consistently found seams through the Eagles’ midfield and defense to make his runs with and without the ball.
“I saw holes open throughout the game, and I just went to space,” said Jelstrom.
Jelstrom was rewarded for that persistence approximately midway through the first 10-minute overtime period. He bodied Carter Haydock’s crossing pass inside the penalty box and struck a hard, low shot into the lower right corner of the goal to give Shaker the victory.
“I saw I had time to settle it, but I didn’t plan on where I shot it,” said Jelstrom. “I just hit it hard, and it went past the goalie.”
“Tommy and Carter played great today,” said Fountain. “Tommy was due, and he got the overtime goal that got us the win today.”
Shaker grabbed a 1-0 lead before most of the fans at Bethlehem had settled in. Haydock sent a lead pass to David Riccio, who redirected the ball into the goal less than two minutes into the first half.
Bethlehem dominated possession of the ball the rest of the first half, though. The Eagles had several scoring chances, including a shot by Luke Dole that banged off the bottom of the crossbar, but nothing went in.
Bethlehem’s determination yielded results midway through the second half. After a teammate was fouled outside the Shaker penalty box, Nick Redmond took the direct kick and launched a shot that tucked into the upper left corner to tie the score at 1-1.
“It was a great chip shot,” said Ridgway. “That’s what you want in that situation.”
Redmond’s goal stirred Shaker’s offense into action. The Blue Bison made several runs into Bethlehem territory late in the second half, but they had no luck converting those chances before regulation time ran out. Still, they rode the momentum into overtime, when Jelstrom became the Blue Bison’s latest hero.
Shaker returned to Latham Tuesday, Sept. 30, to host Averill Park, while Bethlehem visited Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.