Rivals settle for a draw
Streaks’ Ruscio ties it in 59th minute to match Sarfoh’s goal in 44th for Shaker
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The stakes were not as high as the last time the Shaker and Saratoga Springs boys’ soccer teams met, nor was the latest meeting Tuesday afternoon quite as free-flowing as when the two Suburban Council titans played for the Section II Class AA title last November.
That said, this clash between the Blue Bison and Blue Streaks was hardly lacking. It proved to be an entertaining back-andforth tussle with a number of standouts. In the end, the teams settled for a 1-1 tie.
Junior striker Kofi Sarfoh scored in the 44th minute for Shaker and Saratoga Springs senior midfielder Xavier Ruscio converted on a direct kick in the 59th minute.
Shaker (8-0-1 overall, 6-0-1 league) entered the contest ranked No. 3 in the latest Class AAA state poll. The Blue Bison now own a 35-6 goal differential that includes a 3-1 season-opening triumph over Utica Proctor. The Blue Streaks (5-0-2, 5-0-2) posted three straight shutouts coming into Tuesday’s action with wins against Christian Brothers Academy (3-0), Colonie (4-0) and Burnt Hills-ballston Lake (4-0).
“Our defense played fantastic. Obviously, Saratoga has (senior striker Ryan) Farr and he is a threat every time he’s on the ball and they have a lot of great players who run off of him as well,” Shaker coach Dan Fountain said. “We limited their chances and that realistically is what our goal was. We wanted to contain Farr and their whole offense. Credit to our defense as they kept the game in front of them and didn’t let them get behind. It was excellent to see.”
“I think both teams played hard and everyone put in a strong effort. We were all hustling and hungry for the ball, but the defenses and the goalies
SOCCER, B3