The Canton Bears Boys Varsity Soccer Team lost 2-1 to the Salmon River Shamrocks in a thriller Monday night. The Bears played a full game of soccer and were competitive throughout the entire 80 minutes. Canton showed up to the game an entirely different team from the past few games.
The Bears effectively used the entire width of the field, ran overlaps, crossed the ball, and created offense like never before. The Bears gave up only four corner kicks the entire game, compared to 10 in the first half against Massena. This allowed the forwards and midfielders to push up the field and get quality scoring chances.
Tanner Hazelton hit a post midway through the first half, and from there the Bears only got closer to putting the ball in the net. Salmon River played good defense and kept the game even 0-0 going into halftime.
The Bears did not falter in the second half. Scoring chances came from Josh Aldous, Brad Frank, and Vincent Nelson-Fuse but alas it was the Shamrocks who struck first, off a controversial call out at midfield that led to a rush that put the Bears down 1-0. The Bears were unlucky, but persevered through the hardship and came back with a goal of their own off a scrum in front of the net, Frank from Hazelton.
With 3 minutes left in the half and things were still looking good for the Bears, but a miscue on defense put them in a difficult spot, and Canton was forced to play it out, resulting in a Shamrock corner kick. A lucky bounce off a Canton defender allowed Salmon River to score their second goal of the game with 2:30 left. The Bears tried their hardest, and had opportunities, but could not score for the remaining time.
The Bears play Thursday at home against Malone.
Photos come courtesy of Shelly Pike.
Plaindealer Sports 