Salmon River boys and girls return to the field, play close games against Blue Devils, Panthers, Golden Bears

By Andy Gardner

The Salmon River Shamrocks have returned to the field for boys and girls soccer, with the squadrons playing early games of an abbreviated 2020 schedule against Ogdensburg, Brushton-Moira and Canton.

The girls contingent won a 1-0 contest against the Brushton-Moira Panthers thanks to a late kick.

With less than five minutes to go in the second half, Myranda Collette connected for the only goal the ‘Rocks needed to leave with a win. Mia Leroux made five saves earning shutout win for SRC. Natalie Palmer tallied two saves for B-M.

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Salmon River boys narrowly lost to Ogdensburg Free Academy.

“We played a more complete game today. Tough break on the penalty kick at the end of the game. Hopefully we can start to gain momentum this week with four games,” said Shamrocks Coach Tim Cook.

Mason Peretta booted in the first goal of the game, converting a pass from Karson Larose in the 33rd minute. The teams traded goals in the latter frame. In the 47th minute, P.J. Ghostlaw passed to Jared Showen who put the ‘Rocks on the scoreboard for the first time. In the 66th minute, Franklin Beach put the Blue Devils back out to a one-goal advantage. In the 75th minute, Stone Chubb got ahold of the ball from Showen and tied the game. Larose scored the game-winning goal for OFA in the 78th minute on a penalty kick.

John Miller posted a nine-save performance for the Shamrocks. Ogdensburg’s David Vernsey registered eight saves.

Two days earlier, Canton beat the Salmon River boys 2-1 in a bout that went into overtime.

“It was great to see the kids back out there tonight. The loss is tough, but we showed lots of heart after a tough start,” Coach Tim Cook said.

Ethan Furnia put the Golden Bears out to an early 1-0 lead, capitalizing on an assist from Colin Taylor in the ninth minute. Fast forwarding to the 75th minute, with Canton still up 1-0, Gavin Cook-Avery passed to Showen who tied the game. In the 86th minute during OT, Rhett Palmer scored the game-winning goal, assisted by Taylor.

Miller blocked nine scoring attempts in the Salmon River net. Golden Bear Parker Hunt turned aside five shots.