Massena Central Sports Roundup

Boys Soccer

Turner Thomas has been a stonewall in the Massena Red Raiders goal, denying nearly 40 of his opponents' scoring attempts as the squad has taken two of their last three match-ups.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Massena bested visiting Chazy 1-0, to bring their season record to 5-4-1. Chad Mattison scored the bout's lone point in minute 78. Thomas stopped the ball nine times.

The Wednesday prior, Massena beat the Ogdensburg Free Academy Blue Devils 1-0, backed by a 15-save effort from Thomas. Ben Sprague scored the game-winner in the second half around the seven-minute mark. OFA's Justyn McCormick denied 12 Massena scoring chances.

On Monday, Sept. 21, Thomas kept 14 shots out of Massena's net, but the offense wasn't able to post matching numbers. The Potsdam Sandstoners claimed the win 4-2.

Two Potsdam goals came in the first 15 minutes of play, off the feet of David Lucht and Dylan Gruneisen, with respective assists going to Matt Stone and Dominic Frascatore. Less than a minute later, Nick McKeel put Massena on the board after taking a pass from Nick Kozsan. Mattison booted in a game-tying goal seven minutes later on a play set up by Nick Henrie.

In the second half, Jake Keleher scored what would prove to be the game-winner 23 minutes in, assisted by Dan Caamno. Gruneisen later fired in an insurance goal unassisted. Potsdam goalkeeper Ahman Hymyene made seven saves.

Football

After winning their own Hall of Fame game the previous weekend, the Massena Red Raiders fell to the St. Lawrence Larries 16-6 at that team's HOF contest on Saturday, Sept. 26.

It is the first time Massena has lost to the blue-clad squad in more than a dozen years.

Massena's effort included Montana Pierce running the football seven times for 16 yards.

After being denied on their first four possessions, Massena fell behind 3-0 at the half following a 32-yard Keith Felix field goal 6:20 into the second stanza.

Red Raider ball carriers were only able to advance 61 yards in the first half. In the second half, Massena receivers moved 69 yards in three straight pass plays. The fourth, aimed at Cedric Maurer, was deflected by SLC's Mark Crump and recovered on their 15 by Hunter Storrin of the Larries. After scooping the ball, he bolted 48 yards and was knocked out of bounds at the Raiders' 27-yard line.

The Larries were not able to make an adequate advance, which ended in Felix trying a field goal from 40 yards out. He missed, with Massena gaining possession on their 20-yard line. The Raiders offense then ran a promising 10-play drive. It included an eight-yard pass from Maurer to Dante Viskovich and a fourth and six and ended with Maurer charging down the sideline for a 20-yard touchdown sprint. The extra point attempt failed.

On the kick off, SLC's Luke Plante made a 35-yard return to the Red Raider 45 yard line. Five plays later, Crump blasted through the pack from eight yards away for a touchdown. Felix completed a PAT, bringing the score to Larries 10, Red Raiders 6.

The next two Raider possessions ended with turnovers on downs. Starting the final drive that would result in points added to the scoreboard, SLC held the ball on their opponents' 41-yard line. The Larries gained 20 yards after a Massena gridman received two citations for unsportsmanlike conduct. After another four plays, Crump dashed in from eight yards away for a TD with 2:07 to go.

The following kickoff hit a Massena player and the Larries' Collins picked up the ball at Massena's 48-yard line. The Red Raiders' offensive effort included Maruer rushing 10 times for 97 yards, also passing 118 yards on 10 of 19 attempts. Nate Bressard caught five passes and gained 41 yards. Crump lead all ball-handlers with 89 yards on 15 carries.

Massena Central Lady Raiders Sports

Lady Raiders Soccer

After beating the Tupper Lake Lumberjacks on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the Massena Lady Raiders soccer squad fell 2-0 to Canton. In the Tupper Lake contest, Maddy Mailhot posted the first of three Raider goals in what would prove to be a shutout. Kyrsten Stone assisted. Around the 17-minute mark, Stone scored a goal of her own on a play set up by Abby LaClair. LaClair then posted the second Raider insurance goal with 10 minutes left in regulation with Stone drawing the assist. Mikenna Merry worked the Massena crease for a single save. Casey O'Connor was kept busy in the Lumberjack goal with 30 saves.

Three nights later, Massena fell 2-0 to the Golden Bears in Canton. Eleanor Schonberg and Liz Collins were the goal-scorers. Merry backstopped for 16 saves while Canton's Katie Clemmer denied four shots.

Lady Raiders Volleyball

The Massena Lady Raiders added two more wins to an already stellar 2015 record, defeating Chateaugay in a five-set nailbiter and Edwards-Knox.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Chateaugay Bulldogs gained an early advantage, winning the opening set 25-23. Massena took the next two 25-23 and 25-12. The Bulldogs rallied to take the fourth set 25-16. The Lady Raiders recovered in the deciding frame with an easy 25-11 win.

Tatum Lafrance was an offensive boon with 30 assists. Aryanna Jacobs had an outstanding 24 service points. Sabrina Sunday served 13 points with 10 kills and four blocks. Kyrsha Angus and Cashlynn Jaggers each recorded nine service points and six kills.

Two nights prior, the Lady Raiders played Edwards-Knox and won 3-0. The scores were 25-10, 25-7 and 25-14. Tianna Back served up 13 points. Kyrsha Angus, Nina Rourke, and Sabrina Sunday tallied three kills apiece. Alyssa Eubank had 13 service points while Cashlynn Jaggers contributed eight.