HF Boys Soccer Loses To Schuylerville

by Julie Luciano
Both the Panthers and the Schuylerville Horses started off strong with equal opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net.   Hoosick Falls’ Chris LaCroix had several break-aways down the sideline only to get stopped by the strong Schuylerville defense.  About 20 minutes into the first half, Schuylerville’s #10, Patrick Cassle, scored to put the Horses up 1-0.  Not long after that they followed with two more goals. One from Andrew Ethier, who finished a loose ball in the box, and one from Raul Mejia, who scored off a free kick only several yards outside the 18 yard box.
HFCS kept battling and battling and didn’t give up.   Junior defender Michael McGuire, as the deepest defender, withstood a great amount of pressure with the Horses constantly coming at him.  “It is pretty intense. I try to keep the back organized while trying to make sure every player has their mark. Knowing that I am the last person in defense pumps me up and makes me play more aggressive,” McGuire said.
Soon after the second half started Chris LaCroix yet again came bolting down the sideline to cross the ball to teammate PJ Priore who then round house kicked the ball into the back left corner of the Horses’ net. “I knew Chris was going to give me a good ball like he usually does; I knew I needed to get a good foot on the ball and finish it to get us back on track,” Priore, a junior, said.
It was 3-1 Schuylerville with 15 minutes left. The only thing on the field was both teams working non-stop.  The whistle blew and Schuylerville won.  A disappointing loss for the Panthers, but they know what they have to work on and will get them next time.