Queensbury
With a wellorganized defense and midfield, it was going to take something special to score on Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake’s varsity boys soccer team Saturday.
Queensbury’s Greg Maccharulo provided that special spark for Queensbury.
The skillful senior scored with an overhead kick midway through the first half to lead the topseeded, undefeated Spartans of Queensbury to a 3-1 win in the Section II Class A Championship Saturday at Colonie High School.
“I always know where the goal is,” Maccharulo, who was facing the opposite direction, said. “I try to set myself up so at least there’s some way I can get a body part — it doesn’t matter what — on the ball to attempt a goal. I’ve been waiting to score that for a long time.”
The goal with less than 10 minutes to go before halftime put some pressure on Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (9-10) but didn’t force the Suburban Council squad out of its formation.
After the break, Queensbury went in search of a second goal, but couldn’t find the right pass to unlock the defense.
Instead of passing through the defense Matt Ricciardelli, with the wind at his back, shot over it. The senior’s blast from 30 yards out left goalkeeper Sean Speck with no chance as Queensbury took a 2-0 lead.
“That took a lot of starch out of us,” Burnt HillsBallston Lake coach Geroge Dudas said. “This is a great group of kids, they worked hard all year long,”
Queensbury tacked on a third goal eight minutes later thanks in part to the hustle of Maccharulo. As