SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake girls soccer team scored a goal in the first minutes of Wednesday’s game against Lake Placid, and the Red Storm never threatened the rest of the game, defeating the Blue Bombers 4-0. did.
Saranac Lake, playing at Schrader’s Field for the last time this season, scored three goals before intermission and one in the second half to complete Lake Placid’s season sweep. On September 18, the Red Storm defeated the Blue Bombers 2–1.
With this win, Saranac Lake snapped a four-game unbeaten streak and improved its overall record to 4-5-3. Red Storm head coach Jason Wamsganz said he doesn’t want to think too much about the winning streak.
“I just want to make sure I play well and take care of business and let things fall into place. There are times when I’m playing really well and I’m on the back end, and there are times when I’m playing really well and I’m on the back foot. Sometimes it’s on the front side.”
Saranac Lake senior captain Samara Siljkovic led the charge with three goals and one assist. Siljković has scored six goals and also provided two assists in his last five games.
“I saw it in her sometimes last year.” Wamsganz said. “She just didn’t believe in herself. But this year, she’s completely committed and controlling the ball. She’s going to do a good job.”
Siljkovic got the Red Storm’s goal 4:31 into the game off a pass from senior Michaela Gillis. A little more than 10 minutes later, sophomore Ellie Willett put Saranac Lake up 2-0 on an assist from Kirikowicz.
“We had some guys in particular that were ready to play tonight and it definitely showed.” Wamsganz said. “And our defense played another solid game.”
Siljkovic then collected a pass from senior Ira Small and sliced through the Lake Placid defense for his second goal of the half with just under eight minutes left in the first half.
The senior captain scored her first varsity hat trick after Small fired a ball from midfield that bounced over the head of Blue Bombers freshman goalie Emma Clark. Clark was able to flick it away, but Siljković picked up the rebound and scored his team’s fourth goal with 10 minutes remaining.
While the Red Storm dominated possession, outscoring Lake Placid 15-6, the Blue Bombers had several scoring opportunities late in the game. Freshman Briar Beeney’s shot forced a jumping save from Saranac Lake sophomore goalie Emma Akey, nearly giving Lake Placid a lead.
Blue Bombers junior captain Anisa Sekunjanin also had a solid scoring chance. A shot from the right corner hit Akey’s hand, but the Red Storm’s sophomore keeper was able to pick up the ball.
Akey finished the game with six stops for the first varsity shutout of his career. Clark had 14 net saves for Lake Placid.
“(Akey) wasn’t tested that much early on, but he was eventually tested.” Wamsganz said. “She’s done a great job for us.”
Saranac Lake was scheduled to play the Moriah Vikings on Thursday and close the regular season Tuesday against the Bobcats at Northern Adirondack in Ellenburg at 4 p.m.
“I think if you play games, you can play with anyone.” Wamsganz said. “Moriah has speed, especially Kazuro. I added a wrinkle the other day, and I’d like to see if it works.”
The Blue Bomber Girls, who fell to 0-10-2, will play the Seton Catholic Knights today and close out the season with a home series against the Ticonderoga Sentinels on Tuesday.Both contests kick off at 4 p.m.