CANASTOTA – Tied at the end of regulation at 2-2, the boys varsity soccer team let a late strike slip past in overtime where they fell victim to the Raiders of Canastota.
"This young team is taking steps toward becoming a winning program (on the scoreboard). The next step is to eliminate the little mistakes that often haunt us, whether it is a lack of constant communication or defensive position, you lose your focus at this level for an instant and you will pay the price. We are getting better at it each game, but it wasn't quite enough as we lost the game in overtime,” said Sherburne-Earlville head coach Mike Rodriguez of his much improved young team.
The divisional league matchup on Oct. 7, featured a S-E squad that took a 2-1 lead at the half, following S-E strikes from Kyle Cole and Mitchel Doing – Salvatore Magro added an assist. Cole's goal from Magro gave the Marauders the early lead in the game at 1-0, followed by Doing's unassisted goal to take the game to 2-0.
This commanding lead was soon diminished when the Raiders Steven Scaramuzzino sliced the lead in half in the closing seconds of the first half of play. Scaramuzzino grabbed brace on the day when he shot the equalizing goal about halfway through the second half of play, sending the match to overtime.
“Early in overtime, a defensive miscommunication led to a Raiders break which Ethan O'Connell converted for the game winner golden goal,” said coach Rodriguez.
In the game, S-E recorded 11 shots on goal and one corner kick; while Canastota notched 12 shots on goal and five corners.
In the net saving nine on the day was the Marauders goalkeeper, Thad Karaman. On the winning side, also recording nine saves, was Canastota's John Sadowski.
The Sherburne-Earlville varsity boys soccer team will play next on the road, as they travel to Adirondack on Tuesday, Oct. 11, with the game set to begin at 4:30 p.m.