BNL 1 – Mechanicville 4
BNL came out ready to upset the Red Raiders from the start of the whistle. The game was back and forth with both sides getting chances to take the lead. With 4:57 minutes left in the first half Mechanicville’s #17 Colin McNutt was able to find the back of the net. Twenty seconds later Mikel Ramona took the ball from behind the half and went right up the middle of the field like a hot knife on butter then ripped a shot from the lower 90 tying the match up 1-1. With .09 seconds left in the half the Red Raiders’ Logan Starla got a lucky bounce from a corner to sneak in before the buzzer, ending the half 2-1. The Red Raiders would come out of the break and Mark Pingelski put in another goal to make it 3-1. BNL took chances but were unable to find a goal again. They held Mechanicville 3-1 until 30 seconds left in the half when the Red Raiders’ Scott Lynch converted a free kick. BNL’s team efforts were well recognized even with the loss, the team played at a very high level. Gage Willis played an amazing game defensively winning every header in the back line and even a goal line sliding save. Kristjon Culbertson had 16 saves on the night to keep BNL right in the game. -Coach Burhans