Naomi Frasier scored two goals that turned out to be the decisive measure in helping the Broadalbin-Perth Lady Patriots varsity soccer team defeat the Amsterdam Lady Rams 2-0 Monday night at Lynch Literacy Academy Field.
“She (Frasier) did a good job on running out and finding space [for] the ball,” BPHS head coach Rob Klug said. “She always seems to find a way to make space and take the shot.”
Frasier, a junior forward, scored the first goal at the 29:11 mark of the first half, booting the ball from 15 yards out from the right corner of the AHS net and goalkeeper Victoria Barone-Lopez, who tried to corral the ball only to have it bounce past her and into the net. The score remained 1-0 until just over seven minutes left in the contest when Frasier struck again as she gathered in a rebound of a shot Barone-Lopez had smothered for a save, and then put it past the talented AHS senior goalkeeper and into the net. Barone Lopez made 12 saves while minding the AHS net including taking a potential third goal away from Frasier by pouncing on a shot that glanced off the cross bar. Several of the stops were similar to those she made against Schuylerville only a week earlier.
“Victoria has stepped it up a lot,” Amsterdam coach Jessica Byerwalters said. “She’s worked really hard, and always wants to improve. She’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever coached.”
And that says a lot considering Barone-Lopez had some pretty big shoes to fill this season after the departure of one of the best goalkeepers in team history, Cassie Robataille. Barone-Lopez has certainly shown she can make the big plays, and she wasn’t alone Monday night. Sophomore defender Gabby Stanavich swept away several BPHS passes deep into the Amsterdam zone and cleared out scoring chances keeping AHS within a goal of tying the game. Stanavich’s play drew the praise of her coaches.
“Gabby Stanavich will be one of the best to ever play at AHS,” Coach Byerwalters said. “She has stepped up more than any player on this team. I made sure the team was aware of that when I talked to them.”
The Lady Patriots unit also came ready to play and turned in a well organized effort. Senior defenders and midfielders Ali Visco, Alex Wagner, Corinne Casey, Allie Faulds, and Sophomore Hailey Parrotti were determined not to let any Amsterdam forward get past them to get shots on goal. Visco was often tasked with defending talented AHS eighth grader Lydia Iorio, but the BPHS defense was up to the challenge.
“I was very happy with how focused and organized we were tonight,” BPHS coach Klug said. We executed well in one on one situations on defense.”
Amsterdam’s best scoring chance came with just over ten minutes left in the first half when senior forward Hope Adair ran onto a lead pass and out maneuvered a pair of BPHS defenders down the right side of the field. Adair booted the ball with her right foot trying to beat BPHS senior goalkeeper Emily Denman to the far post, but Denman quickly grabbed the ball. It was one of nine saves on the night for Denman. Amsterdam’s only other strong attempt came with a little over five minutes left in the game on a corner kick that bounced in front of the BPHS goal, but no one could follow up.
“We practiced all week doing the right things,” coach Byerwalters said. “We can’t seem to finish in games.”
BPHS executed it’s game plan with Frasier benefiting from it’s organization. BPHS took 15 shots compared to the Lady Rams 12.
“We had some tough games early,” coach Klug said. “We were better organized tonight.”
Broadalbin-Perth will host Gloversville in their next game on Thursday at 7pm at BPHS Amsterdam travels to Scotia-Glenville on Thursday for a 4:30pm contest against the Lady Tartans. AHS and BPHS will meet again on October 3, on the Lady Patriots home field for a 7pm contest.
