BROADALBIN – The Broadalbin-Perth Lady Patriots used a big first half in cruising past the Scotia-Glenville Lady Tartans 3-1 in Foothills Council girls soccer action on Patriot Field in Broadalbin on Tuesday.
The first 20 minutes of the contest were evenly played. Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm, and it was the Lady Patriots who did some damage midway through the half. After a quick strike by Kylie Gifford put Broadalbin-Perth up 1-0, the team captains stepped in with some first-half insurance.
Gifford found herself in open space with 20 minutes remaining in the half. Gifford easily slipped the ball past Scotia-Glenville goalkeeper Carina Moran for her second goal of the game.
Just three minutes later, Katie Herba sent a direct free kick flying over a wall of Lady Tartans from beyond the penalty box. The ball curved past the fingertips of Moran to find the back of the net untouched.
With nine minutes left in the half, Scotia-Glenville launched a corner kick into the box that hit the ground and sat untouched directly in front of the goal. The Lady Patriots were able to clear the ball before it was poked in by Scotia-Glenville.
Kelsey Martin made one final first-half run at Broadalbin-Perth keeper Rachel Orapello but was turned away by B-P defender Kelly Aurichio.
For the first 30 minutes of the second half, Broadalbin-Perth dominated on both ends of the ball.
The Lady Patriots outshot the Lady Tartans 6-5 in the half but couldn’t get a ball past Moran, who made two saves in the second half.
Kim Denny also aided in saving a goal for Scotia-Glenville after deflecting a ball hard off of her head directly in front of the net.?
With 10 minutes remaining, Scotia-Glenville began to attack the Lady Patriot defense with their most intense pressure of the game. Lisa Smith launched a ball over the crossbar and Abby O’Connor kicked a ball directly into the arms of Orapello.
With five minutes remaining, Maddy Carroll scored on an assist from Alyssa Williams for Scotia-Glenville’s lone goal of the game.?Herba got off two more shots for Broadalbin-Perth before slowing things down in anticipation of the final buzzer.
Moran finished with nine saves for the Lady Tartans, while Orapello made four saves for B-P.
Herba and Danielle Biggers each finished with an assist for the Lady Patriots.
With the win, B-P improved to 7-1 overall and 6-1 in Foothills Council play.
The Lady Tartans dropped to 5-2 in the league and 6-2 overall.
Broadalbin-Perth will be in action Friday at 7 p.m. as they play host to South Glens Falls, another Foothills Council rival.
