Game Reports

Game reports courtesy of Capital Region Soccer

Thurs. 8/31/2017 4:15 PM Mohonasen 1-4 Niskayuna

Game Comments: Niskayuna bested visiting Mohonasen today, 4-1. Scoring for Mohon was Cole Wright on a PK. Goal scorers for Nisky were sophomores Nathan Brink and Saidali Mesbahi with their first varsity goals. Merjan Ozisik scored as well as Evan Schnell. Chris Ogden played a great game adding 2 assists and was dangerous the entire match. Jimmy Joyce had 5 saves for Nisky. Tyson Hamburg had 7 saves for Mohon. Alex Chan anchored a strong back line for the Silver Warriors.

Thurs. 9/7/2017 4:15 PM Saratoga 5-4 Niskayuna (OT)

Game Comments: Nine goals were scored in total, but it took overtime to decide tonight's match. Niskayuna was quick to go up by 2, but Saratoga didn't give up on themselves, netting two of their own late in the first half (TJ Bradley and Ben Crandall). Nisky added another to make the score 3-2 at the half. Saratoga's Luke Clark had the equalizer, and a high pressure corner kick led to a Nisky own goal for Saratoga's lead (4-3). With 2 minutes in regulation, Nisky's Mesbahi tied it up to force OT. Lots of chances for both squads throughout, some reliable defense from Saratoga's back line, as well as constant stymies from Niskayuna's Jimmy Joyce. 45 seconds into OT, Saratoga's Evan Farr registered his third assist of the match to Aidan Rice for the game winning score. Corners stood at 6-1, Saratoga, for the match.

Tues. 9/12/2017 4:15 PM Niskayuna 0-1 Schenectady

Game Comments: Nisky traveled to Schenectady today for a Suburban Council soccer match. Nisky controlled from the start as they kept possession and played diagonal balls through the defense. However, senior defenders Steve Avramidis and Patrick Palmer kept Nisky from having anything too dangerous. Schenectady goal Keeper Mike Avramidis was spot on today coming up with 15 saves to keep the clean sheet. The half time score was 0-0 and the second half looked a lot like the first with Nisky having the lions share of the possession. It wasn't until sophomore Abuss Mohammad-Ali out worked the Nisky defender that Schenectady had it best chance of the game. Abus beat the defender goal side and drove the ball on the ground to a running sophomore Mohamed Fatteh who was able to get a foot on the ball before the Nisky keeper could and scored to put Schenectady up. Schenectady was successful in protecting the 1-0 lead.

Thurs. 9/14/2017 4:15 PM Burnt Hills 0-1 Niskayuna

Game Comments: The Silver Warriors hosted the Spartans today and the Warriors were victorious winning, 1-0. Nisky held the possession in the first half allowing only a handful of Burnt Hills possessions. Nisky in the second half had the run of play and eventually broke through. Keenan Duggal play a ball across the back line to a streaking Merjan Ozisik who calmly slotted the ball home. Nisky back line and all around effort was the difference in the match. Jimmy Joyce had 4 saves on the day.

Sat. 9/16/2017 6:30 PM Niskayuna 2-1 Troy

Game Comments: Troy was coming off several nice wins and Nisky was coming in with several close games as the two sides clashed. Nevertheless, Nisky opened the match and asserted itself immediately with several good chances that the Troy keeper stonewalled. Troy had a very good chance in first half with exceptional work from Kevin Vargas. Nisky got on the board when Jack Mendrysa found Jackson Bishop. Bishop's blistering shots hit a Troy player and redirected into the net. The second half continued to be more of the same as Nisky was dominating with the diagonal balls and midfield possession. Alex Koudal and the midfield did an amazing job controlling the game. In the second Said Mesabani found Merjan Ozisik's feet and he beat two defenders and scored the game's final goal. Both teams played a spirited match. Niskys backline deserves a lot of credit as they had a tough assignment of containing Vargas, but they showed they were up to the task. Despite Nisky's efforts, Vargas did score on a corner kick. Jimmy Joyce had a great game making 6 saves. Troy's keeper was rock solid making several huge saves. He finished with 12 on the day.

Tues. 9/19/2017 4:15 PM Albany 3-3 Niskayuna (OT)

Game Comments: Albany and Niskayuna played to a 3-3 draw with the Falcons squandering a 3 goal lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Albany lead 1-0 at the break, Mohammed Alsamaraae scoring off a deflected shot, that wrong-footed Niskyuna goalie Jimmy Joyce, who had a huge game with 13 saves. After the break, Alsamaraae would get his second off a Harrison Leon assist. Marcello Fazio scored the third with 11:40 left in the match off a Lucas Young assist. Albany made some personnel changes and were caught out by a quickly taken free kick with 9 minutes left by Alex Coudal, which sailed into Will Bulmer's goal while he was still setting his wall. With the momentum, Niskyuna awoke and the unreal pressure began. The next 8 minutes Nisky applied so much pressure that the Falcons' defense couldn't handle it. Sophomores Jackson Bishop and Said Meshbani scored to level the score and into overtime with Nisky again having the run of play. Will Bulmer was big in net for the Falcons, finishing with 11 saves. OT played out level, both sides getting half chances, but not much more. Good game, both sides showed spirit.

Sat. 9/23/2017 11:00 AM Niskayuna 2-0 Bethlehem

Game Comments: Bethlehem had a very good chance in the first half ringing the crossbar, but inches from the score does not count in this game. The match went scoreless to halfime. The second half Nisky earned a PK that senior Alex Chan calmly slotted home. Once Nisky scored, the defense picked up its play as well, and then the team sealed the victory with a goal from sophomore Jack Mendrysa. Jimmy Joyce had 8 saves on the day. Ryan Henning had 13 for the Eagles. Nisky had outstanding performances from George Tsakalakos, Chris Ogden and Kenneth Cox.

Tues. 9/26/2017 4:15 PM Columbia 1-4 Niskayuna

Game Comments: On a blistering hot and humid day, Niskayuna beat Columbia, 4-1. Keying the offense was Merjan Ozisik, scoring 2 and assisting on another. Other Nisky scores came from Alex Chan and Alex Koudal. Jimmy Joyce made 3 saves for the Silver Warriors. Christian Holmes scored for Columbia on a counter. Nisky had the run of play in both halves and kept possession well. Other notable performances made by Niskayuna players were Isaac Brink, Nathan Brink and Oscar Mirkovic.

Thurs. 9/28/2017 4:15 PM Niskayuna 0-2 Ballston Spa

Game Comments: Ballston took an early lead over Niskayuna when Thomas Gentile scored assisted by Joe Luger. 1-0 at halftime. Thomas Gentile scored again in the second half. Final score Ballston Spa 2-0, surging Ballston Spa into 3rd place in the Suburban council Gray division.

Tues. 10/3/2017 4:15 PM CBA 1-0 Niskayuna

Game Comments: CBA and Niskayuna battled on even terms for much of the match. In the 18th minute, Brady VanEpps found the nets for the lone score of the game, assisted by Wyatt Leto. Save totals show how close the game was: Nisky 4 saves, CBA 3 saves.

Thurs. 10/5/2017 4:15 PM Niskayuna 0-2 Shaker

Game Comments: Shaker won a competitive home game against Niskayuna, 2-0. In the first half Nisky came out on the front foot for the first 15 minutes, but Shaker's defense was able to keep Nisky off the scoreboard. Shaker then put the pressure on Nisky and on a beautiful combination goal Demani Johnson headed in a Stephen Guidi cross. Then in the second half Shaker doubled their lead when Zaheer Irani got the ball to Ryan Watson who fired it in far post. Both teams had several chances in the second half, but no one else was able to get on the scoreboard.

Sat. 10/7/2017 3:00 PM Niskayuna 3-0 Averill Park

Game Comments: Nisky won 3-0 today at Averill Park. Scoring for Nisky were Said Mesbahi, Merjan Ozisik, and George Tsakalakos on a beautiful header. Alex Chan had two assists. Nisky was dominant in possession,corners, and shots. Playing well for Nisky were Chris Ogden after being out for the past 5 games and Nisky's backline which seems to be working well. Jimmy Joyce had 4 saves on the day for the shutout.

Tues. 10/10/2017 7:00 PM Colonie 3-2 Niskayuna (OT)

Game Comments: Colonie traveled to Niskayuna this evening for a Suburban Council matchup and there was great excitement to be had! It was Niskayuna’s senior night and the atmosphere was extremely energetic. Tragedy hit Nisky early as a through ball for Colonie turned into a collision between multiple players from both teams and ended with Nisky’s goalie down and out for the game. After a delay to make sure the goalie was taken care of, play resumed and Colonie caught Nisky sleeping. Keven Lika was able to spin a defender and get a shot on net that the new Nisky goalie saved, but Cameron Enos was right there to tap it in and make it 1-0 Colonie. A few minutes later, Nisky came down on the attack and was dangerous in the box. A Colonie defender fell while challenging for the ball and fell directly on the ball. Nisky was awarded a PK for the act but Colonie GK Langlois was up for the challenge for back to back games. Luckily for Nisky, Merjan Ozisik followed up his saved PK and was able to poke in another rebound and even the score at 1-1. Moments before halftime, some inspiring play from Colonie led to a good combo and found Andrew Shaw open in the box and hammered it past the Nisky GK to make it 2-1. With only 1 minute to go, Nisky pressed again and served a ball in the box. Both sides challenged the service and ultimately Langlois came down with it. However, confusion settled in as Langlois fell and a pile up insued between multiple players on both sides and the ball ended up in the net, making the halftime score 2-2. The second half saw some great moments from both sides, with Ozisik Ogden and Chan being very dangerous for Nisky and Giovanni Audi and Brandon Daigneault organizing a strong defense for Colonie. Halfway through the half, Colonie was red carded for a challenge and Nisky pressed their advantage. Despite chances on both ends, more so for Nisky in the half, the game was headed for OT. Nisky kept the ball being a man up and found a few opportunities missing the target, while Colonie held strong defensively and countered well to gain chances of their own, including a point blank shot over the bar. With 5 minutes to go in the second overtime, Andrew Shaw once again found himself open and fired another shot that found the back of the net, ending the game at 3-2 Colonie.

Sat. 10/14/2017 1:15 PM Niskayuna 0-3 Guilderland

Game Comments: Alex Mendel, Dan Dumoulin, and Brandon Ford all scored for Guilderland as they defeated Niskayuna, 3 - 0, on Senior Day, Aaron Ashery got the shutout for the Dutchmen.

Thurs. 10/19/2017 6:30 PM Niskayuna 2-1 Albany (OT) NonLeague

Game Comments: Albany suffered a heartbreaking double overtime loss to Niskayuna in first round sectional play, Alex Chan scoring the game winner off a free kick, four minutes from penalties. Albany began the game in control, forcing Niskayuna into a goal line clearance from one of their 5 corners with 37 minutes to play and striking the post with under 26 in the first half. They would pay for their missed opportunities as Niskayuna would grab the first goal of the match, Merejan Ozisik finishing past Albany's Will Bulmer. After the break, the Falcons pressed the match and Kevin Kampula had the ball in the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside, no goal. The equalizer would come after a good passage of play allowed a Lucas Young cross to find Marcello Fazio at the back post for the diving header past Chase Steenberg to level the match with 30 minutes to play. The half played out with neither side scoring the winner off a few half chances, although Albany came close a couple times, forcing Nisky into some frantic goalmouth defending. Injuries hit the Falcons as they lost three outside backs and senior captain Nic Joslin before the regulation whistle blew. In the first overtime, Niskayuna seized their advantage, forcing Will Bulmer into two fantastic saves, a kick save stopping a 1 v 1 with Alex Koudal and a fine diving save to keep out an Alex Chan free kick. With under four minutes to play in the second OT, Chan would find the back of the net with the game winner. It was a great game to watch and showcased some quality play on both sides of the ball.

Sat. 10/21/2017 1:00 PM Niskayuna 0-4 Shaker NonLeague

Game Comments: Shaker advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-0 home win over visiting Niskayuna. However, the game was much closer than the score makes it appear. In the first half it was a very intense game with both teams playing hard in the sectional atmosphere. Shaker was able to get on the board when Jack Acquario set up Greg Hale for a great far post shot. Nisky's defense held strong led by Alex Chan and they had several good chances themselves to try to level the game led by Alex Koudal, but Shaker's defense held up. In the second half Shaker came out strong and scored 2 quick goals. Hassan Alfadhil finished a pass from Ethan Snyder and then Ethan Snyder scored one himself assisted by Greg Hale. Shaker added another goal when Jack Acquario scored off a pass from Ethan Snyder. A great effort by Niskayuna after a tough overtime game against Albany and Shaker advances to face Shen.