LADY RIDERS FALL IN FINAL FOUR

Greg Dedrick
ccSCOOP Sports Editor

The Ichabod Crane girls’ soccer season came to a close Wednesday night at Broadalbin-Perth as fifth-seeded Riders fell to top-seed Burnt Hills 1-0 in the Section II Class A final four. The Riders topped twelfth-seed Mohonasen 5-1 in the first round and fourth-seed Schalmont 2-1 in the second round to reach the semifinals. In a game that many expected to be a blowout, the Riders were able to keep it close and only lost by the game’s single goal.

In the year the Riders captured the Patroon Conference title with a league record of 14-2 while going 17-3-1 overall, ICC outscored their opponents 81 to 21 in the season, an average of nearly 4-1 each game.

The Riders featured one of the deepest rotations in the entire league this season and always field one of the top junior varsity teams. This team will lose just seven players from their roster, but it is a big seven. Kylie Watt one of the most elite scorers in Section II will be lost up front, along with Jessica Van Alstyne and Olivia Armstrong who are both elite-level league players who have been in the shadow of Watt. Still Van Alstyne and Armstrong combined for over 40 points this season and have been crucial cogs in the Riders’ success over the past few seasons. Also lost to graduation will be two-year starting goalie Courtney Barry who allowed just 17 goals this season. The Riders will also lose Elena Ooms who provided consistency in the midfield, along with Chelsea Bell and Brooke Boyer who proved to be offensive threats off the bench.

ICC will return a good deal of talent next year including Lacey Powers, returning at sweeper, along with Shana Barry at defense. Zoe Leary is expected to step in at keeper, while the midfield will be in good hands with Haley Ooms. Up front the Riders will return Morgan Van Alstyne and the talented Alex Armstrong, who—in just her freshman year—made an impact this season.