Win streak stays alive with 2-0 win over Lakers
(Herkimer's Sydney Stanley collected her fifth consecutive shutout Sunday against Finger Lakes).
(Herkimer's Grace Johnson gives the Generals a 2-0 lead in the 61st on her fourth goal of the season).
HERKIMER, NY – Playing on consecutive days for a second straight weekend in a row seemed to take its toll on the #2 Herkimer Generals women’s soccer team Sunday (9/6), scoring their least amount of goals in a game this season, defeating Finger Lakes Community College 2-0 at Wehrum Stadium.
Herkimer (5-0-0) had their chances in the first 24 minutes of action, seeing both Michaela Bianca (Guilderland, NY) and Teigha Ward (Ilion, NY) get shots on Finger Lakes’ goaltender Abigail Miller (Andover, NY), but nothing came of it. The Generals tied the Lakes in shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, going into intermission tied 0-0.
The second half saw Herkimer come out with a lot more energy in the first seven minutes of the half, tallying four shots on goal within that time. The second of the four shots made it to the back of the net when Ward found herself alone on the left side of the net, giving Herkimer the 1-0 lead in the 46th minute. It was the sophomore’s nation leading 15th goal of the season.
Finger Lakes didn’t back down however, getting a direct kick in the 57th and consecutive corners in the 60th and 61st. None of the opportunities were successful because of goalie Sydney Stanley (Schoharie, NY) and Grace Johnson (Tully, NY). Stanley saved the direct kick, then positioned herself perfectly on the second corner to keep the Lakers off the board, finishing the game with two saves. Johnson did the same thing on the first corner kick, positioning herself well enough to clear the Finger Lake attempt.
Johnson wasn’t done contributing for Herkimer though. Her solid defense turned into offense in the 61st, getting behind the defense on the right side after teammate Nicole Doolen (Ilion, NY) led her well, scoring from right-to-left outside the 18 for her fourth goal of the season. As for Doolen, the assist was her eighth of the season, tying teammate Ward for the most in the nation.
Herkimer will look to rest their legs this coming week, not playing in a game for seven days. The team’s next game is Monday, September 14th. They’ll travel to play SUNY Delhi who is 0-1 on the season. Game time in Bronco country is 4 p.m.
Score:
#2 Herkimer 2, Finger Lakes 0
Halftime:
Tied 0-0
GENERALS (5-0) Teigha Ward 1-0, Grace Johnson 1-0, Nicole Doolen 0-1. Sydney Stanley 2 saves.
LAKERS (1-2) Abigail Miller 1 save
Next Game: 9/14 at SUNY Delhi 4 p.m.
-Giorgio Varlaro