The Bears came into Massena looking to gain a valuable win in an important game for the Bears in a match with playoff seeding implications. They gave up the lead late in the game to drop again to Massena 2-1
Canton began the game with heavy offensive pressure on Massena. Senior Griffin Coakley had multiple shots on net early on. Massena also beared down early, launching a corner kick on goalkeeper Sean McCluskey which was punched away.
As the half went on, Canton continued to press offensively but the Raider defense held strong as Massena blocked many shots from striker Wyatt Francey to keep it scoreless, while effective ball movement in the middle from senior Colden Francey kept Massena trapped in their end. Left back Will McDonough held it down defensively by making many clears and containing the Massena rush.
Despite the Bears rolling across the field, Massena was able to take the even 0-0 game into halftime.
The Bears retained control and possession of the ball to start the second half and kept it for the majority of the remainder of the game. In the 48th minute, midfielder Crosby Terrel stole the ball from Massena’s defense. He quickly dished it to Coakley who launched an unsavable shot into the far right side of the net to put one on the board and take the first lead of the game.
Senior Will Andes and Colden Francey continued to be centerpieces in Canton’s ball movement and attack going into the middle of the half. Right back Andrew Downing made multiple defensive plays and clears to keep the one goal lead.
In the 65th minute, the Raiders struck back when they launched a shot which was blocked by Canton’s defense. The block took an unfortunate bounce right in front of the opposite side of the net which was then buried by a Massena forward to tie the game at 1-1.
Canton continued to try to take back the game with pressure and scoring chances coming which were helped by the play of W. Francey, Andes, and Terrel. The Bears had some chances to gain the lead back with a goal but could not capitalize on them.
Massena took advantage of the Bears’ defense and midfield being stretched down the field by making a swooping run down the left wing. The forward made a cut towards the net and placed a shot into the top-right corner of the net to take the lead with less than two minutes remaining.
Canton put in all they had to tie the game up in the final minute. Andes had a header on net but it was saved by Massena. A shot wide as time expired marked the end of the match and Canton’s time to tie it up.
Canton hosts their next game on Monday, October 19 at the home turf against Salmon River. This game marks the final regular season game at home and senior night for the Bears.