Panthers’ Boys Soccer Run Comes to End

by Ryan Mosher
The Hoosick Falls boys soccer team’s amazing sectional run came to a tough end on Wednesday night in Johnstown at the hands of #1 seed Maple Hill. The #13 seeded Panthers did not go quietly though, fighting until the bitter end, hoping for yet another upset. The Panther defense, anchored by goalie Cody Gaines, played a great game, holding one of the top offensive teams in Section II scoreless for 66 minutes before the Wildcats scored.
Gaines was constantly tested in the first half as Maple Hill applied lots of pressure. Their patient, short, quick passes allowed them to control the ball inside the Panthers’ side of the field. The defense and Gaines held them off, though. Hoosick Falls had their chances to score in the first half as well. Finding the holes in the Wildcat defense gave the Panthers hope and kept the team working hard.
In the second half the Panthers continued to fight off a fevered Wildcat attack. In the 15th minute Maple Hill appeared to score on a play right in front of the goal, but it was waved off when the referee called a player offside. Twelve minutes later the Wildcats finally got their goal. A throw-in from the left side made its way across to the center of the field where a Wildcat player kicked it in. The Panthers had a couple more opportunities to tie the game but could not do it.
While losing the game was difficult, the Panthers showed immense improvement from the beginning of the season and turned the heads of many in Section II with their impressive sectional run. The Panthers finished the season 10-6-1.