In a tightly contested match, the South Glens Falls girls’ soccer team secured a victory against Troy High School in the first round of the Class AA Section II playoffs on March 13, 2024. The game, held in South Glens Falls, New York, remained scoreless until the second half, when South Glens Falls broke the deadlock with a decisive goal.
Defensive Dominance and Key Goal
The first half of the match was marked by a strong defensive performance from both teams, resulting in no goals and limited scoring opportunities. Stephen Philo, head coach of the Bulldogs, praised his team’s defensive efforts, noting, “(We) didn’t give up any corners, and were able to just suffocate any offensive pressure they had.”
It was not until the 55th minute that South Glens Falls found the back of the net. After a series of attempts, junior midfielder Emeri Buckley capitalized on a loose ball in the penalty area, scoring with ease. Buckley expressed her appreciation for her teammates, stating, “I feel like we worked really well together. It definitely wasn’t just me there.”
Philo highlighted Buckley’s talent, saying, “She’s the first team all-star player for a reason. She showed how valuable she is tonight, both in the offensive and in the defensive end there.”
Next Challenge Awaits
Following their victory, South Glens Falls will face the top-seeded Mohonasen on the road this Friday at 16:30. Philo acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “That’s gonna be a different beast. They’re undefeated for a reason. They’re a very talented team, and we’re going to go down there and put our best foot forward and see what happens.”
With the momentum from their first playoff win, the Bulldogs are poised to tackle the upcoming challenge, hoping to build on their recent success in the tournament.
