Albany, NY - It was a battle of neighboring schools Tuesday night as the Panthers took on the Gators of Russell Sage. With the Panther prominent in the middle of the turf field, the Panthers were actually the visiting team in this battle of New Scotland.
The Panthers were looking to start off their 2024 campaign strong with a win against local rival, Russell Sage. The game opened up with Russell Sage trying to attack early and often to try and establish a fast paced game. The Gators were able to rip 5 shots in the first twenty minutes of the game with Panthers goalie
Ryan Herrick (Massena, NY) tallying two of his three saves of the game during the Gators offensive push. The Gators offensive pushes found the back of the net two times to take an early 2-0 lead. While the Gators were on attack, the Panthers unfortunately struggled to counter, not tallying a shot until the 38th minute by 2023 total goals leader
Jay Carlson (Saratoga Springs, NY). The Panthers got on the attack themselves rattling off three straight corner kicks, with one finally finding the back of the net in a swarm of players in the box labeled as a Gator own goal. The Panthers finished the first half down 2-1.
The Panthers spent the second half trying to way a way past the Gators defense and find the equalizer. They were on the attack finding themselves with a couple corner kicks trying to find the game tying goal. With another shot by
Alexander Ochoa (Lynbrook, NY) the Panthers were doing everything they can to make this a tied game and have a shot at a comeback. Although the Gators took an early 2-1 lead, the defense for the Panthers held the Gators at just two goals to give the Panthers a shot. Ultimately the Panthers couldn't find the equalizer and received the loss in the season opener in a tight battle of neighboring schools.
The Panthers won't have much time to recover as they are back on the field and looking to bounce back on Wednesday night as they take on another local rival and USCAA opponent Bryant & Stratton College - Albany on the road with kickoff at 6PM.
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