by Ryan Mosher
The Hoosick Falls boys soccer team ran its winning streak to three games at the beginning of the week with consecutive shutouts over Stillwater and Hoosick Valley. Stillwater previously defeated the Panthers 2-1 in Hoosick Falls. On Friday HFCS returned the favor, dropping the Warriors 1-0 on their turf field. After a long back and forth battle, Taylor Baker scored the only goal of the game after beating a Stillwater defender and the goalie. The Panther defense helped Cody Gaines preserve the shutout and get the win.
On Tuesday, the Panthers traveled to Hoosic Valley in a rematch of the 0-0 tie they played to earlier this season. The first half was a battle that highlighted the great play of both team’s goalies. That half saw a few good chances for each team, but it was the second half that both teams stepped up. Hoosic Valley put the pressure on the Panthers’ defense, but they did
not break. Hoosick Falls took advantage of a free kick early in the second half to get on the board. Evan Phillips sent the kick toward the goal where Taylor Baker headed it away from the Valley goalie. Waiting there for the loose ball was Justin Gaines who sent it to the back of the net for the 1-0 score. The Panthers held off a tough attack by the Valley, and with ten minutes remaining in the game, they scored the insurance goal to seal the win. Chris Lacroix received the ball just in front of the net, took a couple dribbles and rocketed the ball past the goalie for the goal.