Canton 2, Gouverneur 1
The Bears played their first league game Sept. 6 against Gouverneur. Nothing special happened in the first half and both sides had good chances but couldn’t seem to connect.
This changed quickly when senior Sydney Francis snuck a goal in the top right corner from close distance only a minute and a half into the second half putting the Bears 1-0. Canton tried to maintain this lead and kept it for quite a while until the Wildcats tied it up at one with 12 minutes remaining. Regulation ended tied at one and sent it to a 10-minute sudden death overtime.
Overtime didn’t last long, only two minutes and thirty seconds in Sydney Francis drew a foul in the box which set up Gabby Taylor for a penalty kick.
“I was nervous when I heard my name called because I really wanted our team to win,” Taylor said when asked what went through her head when her teammates chose her to take the penalty kick.
Taylor ended up drilling the penalty kick bottom left, winning the game for the Bears and securing their first win of the Season.
“I thought we played well, we came together as a group and fought to win the whole game,” said Francis when asked about the Bears’ win.” Francis said “We definitely have some things we need to work on, but it’s early in the year and if we keep improving, I think we have a good shot on going all the way this year. All together I thought it was a solid effort from all members of the team and it was a hard-fought win.”
Canton 1, OFA 0
The Girls Varsity Soccer team stays perfect in league play against the Ogdensburg Blue Devils in their fourth game of the season on Friday. The Bears started out hot with Emily Estabrook scoring the only goal of the game only three minutes in. The Bears managed to maintain the lead for the remainder of the game and were led by Abby Woodroof who put up an impressive four saves throughout the game accompanied by a powerful defensive performance from the Bears to keep the Blue Devils scoreless.
“We controlled the majority of the second half play with an improved passing game,” said Head Coach Greg Kiah when asked about the Bears’ performance. “The girls are beginning to create more opportunities and develop chemistry in their positions.”
Canton 1, Malone 0
A similar story from the last game the Bears had, a 1-0 finish from an Emily Estabrook’s game winning goal. A flurry of missed chances from Canton in the first half left the game tied halfway through.
Coach Kiah was frustrated with the inability to find the net and was heard telling the Bears to get one quick in the second half, and that’s what they did.
Emily Estabrooks scored only five minutes into the second half. A top right snipe from the 18-yard box put the Bears up 1-0. Canton worked the clock down and faced many shots in the final minutes but managed to hold the Huskies off.
“It’s hard having only three set girls play the defense every game but I’m glad we discovered we have other options if need be,” said senior defender Megan Martin when asked how the defense preformed. “I think the defense did great talking, clearing the ball, and working as a group.”
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