Early goal carries Falcons
Yehia’s score at 2:09 of the first half gives Albany narrow victory over Shenendehowa
Shenendehowa pours on pressure in second half, but Albany holds on to produce huge 1-0 Suburban Council victory.
The ball had been blasted into the air by goalie William Bulmer, the final whistle sounded and senior midfielder Mohammed Yehia quickly found refuge on the turf Monday night.
Earlier in the evening, Yehia’s ability in the air helped the Albany boys’ soccer team take the lead against Shenendehowa.
It would be an advantage the Falcons refused to relinquish, although the Plainsmen poured on the pressure in the second half, as Albany held on to produce a huge 1-0 Suburban Council victory.
Albany (5-1 overall, 5-1 Suburban Council), ranked No. 17 in the Class A A state poll, has registered quality wins against Saratoga and Shenendehowa since falling to Bethlehem 2-1 Sept. 6.
“It is a big deal,” Albany senior striker Marcello Fazio said of Monday’s victory. “This win says a lot about our team’s spirit and ability to rebound. We’re playing a lot of really good teams. Sometimes you have to take a loss, but the important part is coming back and showing the ability to win.”
“This is a big win and I think we are being recognized as a program to be taken seriously,” Albany coach David Weiss said. “This is good. I am happy for the boys.”
Albany opened the contest coming forward and it paid immediate dividends.
Fazio took the game’s first corner kick and lofted a ball across to the right post that Yehia slid past Shenendehowa freshman goalie Noah Flint 2:09 into the first half.
“A fast goal like that is always good,” Fazio said. “To get one
right from the get-go sets the tone and takes a little of the pressure off.”
“It was a great cross,” Yehia said. “(Shenendehowa) sort of stopped. They didn’t move and I felt like I was by myself.”
“We got caught ball-watching and it was floated in there. It was a little bit of a mental error on our part,” Shenendehowa coach Jonathan Bain said.
Albany managed to produce a few more threatening shots from Fazio and senior forward Kevin Kampula before Shenendehowa (5-3, 5-3) began to produce a few chances of its own.
Bulmer, who finished with six saves, denied a trio of shots in the opening half by Eric Makhatadze — including a sprawling stop with 25:25 remaining.
“I think he put in a man-of-thematch performance for us today,” Weiss said of Bulmer. “I don’t think this was our best game. We have played better in other matches. You want to believe that your big players will step up. Will was big today. Marcello was big today.”
Fazio, who recorded his fifth assist of the season to go along with seven goals, was denied a chance to make it 2-0 when Flint somehow turned aside a blistering shot. Fazio had sliced through three defenders and was inside the goal box.
“I don’t know how he didn’t score there,” Weiss said.
Shenendehowa was a bit unlucky with 4:55 left when Bulmer turned away a shot from Makhatadze and the rebound was hit off the crossbar by Shen junior striker Reggie Durden.
“I was a little disappointed in our (inability to finish),” Bain said. “It was the last ball, or the last pass, or the shot. Everything up to that point, I was pleased with. We just lacked a finishing touch.”
The next Suburban Council test for Albany is Thursday at home against Ballston Spa, a squad that defeated Bethlehem 1-0 Saturday.
Bain came away from Monday’s contest impressed by Albany.
“They are a talented team and play a good brand of soccer. (Weiss) has done an outstanding job,” Bain said.
“We have a lot of seniors that have been together since we were freshmen. We have sort of been building to this,” Fazio said. “Our talents are on show.”