JOHNSTOWN – It only took 18 seconds in the overtime period for Austin Vogel and the Johnstown Sir Bills to find the back of the net to seal a 2-1 victory over the Glens Falls Indians at Johnstown High School in a Foothills Council boys soccer contest Monday.
The Sir Bills were outplayed on the offensive end for much of the game, but its defense minimized the number of solid strikes put on goal.
Johnstown goalkeeper Andy Camarra faced 12 shots in the game, making saves on six of them.
“We only go as far as [Camarra] will take us,” said Johnstown head coach Mike Hill. “Our defense is solid.”
Johnstown put the first shot of the game on goal less than one minute in, but a good portion of the first half was played at Glens Falls’ offensive end. Despite lengthy possessions by the Indians, the score remained deadlocked at zero for the majority of the half.
Midway through the half, Johnstown’s Elijah Hill tried to catch the Indians’ goal keeper, Patrick Resse, off guard by quickly placing and striking a shot toward the net after a direct free kick was called. The shot missed and Johnstown wouldn’t get another shot off until sophomore Austin Heroth directed a ball into the back of the net with four minutes remaining in the half; it was the only goal for either team in the first 40 minutes.
Glens Falls had its best chance to score just a minute earlier when the ball was popped up directly in front of the goal with Camarra off to the right side. Multiple Indians jumped up to head the ball into the net to no avail.
Glens Falls didn’t wait long into the second half to finally put one in. Logan Kunst scored the equalizer after just five minutes. While Johnstown’s offense controlled the ball with more success throughout the second, neither team could score before time ran out despite chances aplenty for both teams.
Justin Orr got two open shots off for Glens Falls, but both sailed over the crossbar. Hill clanked one off the left post midway through the half for Johnstown, while the Indians’ Sean Hooker got a good look and sent a ball over the crossbar with 12 seconds remaining in regulation.
Johnstown controlled the kickoff to begin overtime. After dribbling down the left sideline, the Sir Bills dumped the ball towards the net where Vogel connected for the near-immediate game-winning goal.
Despite the win, Hill was disappointed with sloppy play from his team.
“I thought it was an ugly game to watch,” said Hill. “It was good to get the win, but we have a lot of work to do. We’re in a very tough league.”
Glens Falls outshot Johnstown 12-8 in the contest. Resse made just two saves for the Indians. The win was the first of the season for Johnstown, whose record now stands at 1-3-1 overall on the young season.
The Sir Bills will look to build a win streak Thursday when they travel to Hudson Falls to take on the Tigers at 4:30 p.m.
