Riders after same goal
Despite graduation losses, sectional defeat, Ichabod Crane sets its sights as high as ever
Edgar Gomez believed before the Ichabod Crane boys’ soccer team took the field for its first game this season that the 2019 squad had potential for greatness. Gomez, a junior striker, is definitely doing his part to assure the Riders are a viable Section II Class B title threat again.
Monday night, Gomez deposited a gorgeous cross from teammate Logan Groat into the net during the first half and Joe Desmonie added another goal late as Ichabod Crane registered a solid 2- 0 victory over Mohonasen in Colonial Council play.
“There were definitely changes from last year, but we still have potential to make it to states. That’s our goal,” Gomez said. “We knew it was going to be different from last year. We’re still a good team.”
Gomez was a member of the 2018 team that built a 3- 0 lead in the sectional final against Schalmont, only to see the Sabres storm
back to force overtime and eventually post a 4- 3 victory.
The home win Monday gave the Riders ( 10- 2 overall, 10- 2 league), ranked No. 9 in the Class B state poll, a season sweep against the Mighty Warriors ( 10- 3, 10- 3) as they previously prevailed 3- 2 on Sept. 5 in Rotterdam.
The Riders endured some serious losses through graduation from the 2018 team. Monday evening’s performance is further evidence Ichabod Crane can return to the top of Class B.
“There is a lot of pressure here at Ichabod Crane, especially for the boys’ soccer team,” Ichabod Crane coach Mike Young said. “What we really need to look forward to, instead of looking back, is just making progress every day. We’ve got new guys stepping up. We don’t have the same players we did in the past, but we have something different — something special. I try to keep the guys focused on getting better every day. Mohonasen is a really good team with great skill.”
The Mighty Warriors’ skill and spunk pushed the Riders from the outset, but Gomez made a perfect run down the left and was at the front of the goal to bury Groat’s feed in the 15th minute for his 10th goal of the season.
“That was beautiful. It could not have been any better,” Gomez said. “That ’s my man. My brother.”
“He and Logan are really starting to develop some good chemistr y,” Young said. “We were hoping it would come earlier in the year, but now is a good time.”
Mohonasen generated solid pressure searching for an equalizing goal, receiving some threatening runs and shots from Evan Schmidt, Kyle Shendler and Ryan Newman.
Perhaps the best chance of all for the Mighty Warriors came with 16 minutes left when Justin Andriola cracked a shot from outside the box that was ticketed from the upper right of the net. Ichabod Crane senior goalie Quinn Murphy managed to push it out of bounds. That save helped secure the eighth shutout win of the season for the Riders, a squad that now enjoys a 35- 5 goal differential.
Ichabod Crane gained separation with 5: 29 remaining when Aidan Swere placed a perfect ball into the box and Desmonie one- timed a redirect into the left corner for his fifth goal.
“That was a good goal too,” Gomez said. “That is what good teams do: punish when they need to.”
“I think four or five games ago, Joe Desmonie doesn’t make that run or doesn’t get to the ball,” Young said. “He has come on big as a sophomore.”
Monday’s victory is the third in a row for the Riders since dropping a 1- 0 decision at Voorheesville Sept. 27. The other loss for Ichabod Crane was a 1- 0 setback against Albany Academy. The teams meet again Oct. 15 in Valatie.
Although the Riders were denied a fourth straight sectional title last fall, Gomez sees this season’s team building the proper momentum toward making another title run. He helped the 2017 team reach the Class B state final.
“I think we have the team to do it,” Gomez said. “We’re a hard- working team and we’re getting better.”