Second-half surge lifts Rovers soccer over Niagara

The Amherst Rovers defeated the Niagara PAL Eagles, 7-1, in a C-North outdoor Buffalo Western New York Junior Soccer League game held on July 9.

Meredith Parenti scored Amherst's first goal when she knocked down a bouncing corner kick, controlled it and blooped it over the goalie's head.

Despite most the game being played in Niagara's end, the game was tied at 1-1 late in the first half. Amherst regained the lead just before halftime when Mia Lafornaya took a crossing pass and sent it into the open side of the net.

The second half was a different story as Amherst scored early and often. The Rovers spread it around, with each of their seven goals being scored by a different player.

Kali James was in good position in front of the net to take a centering pass and put it into the corner of the net to make it 3-1. Chelsea Stachura left no doubt when she took a pass from Audrey Parenti and fired a powerful shot high into the side of the net to make it 4-1. Allie Troncone crashed the net and seemed to take the ball in with her for Amherst's fifth goal. Colleen Stelley connected on a bouncing corner kick and took the goalie out along the way for the sixth goal. Joy Thompson connected with the ball right in front of the net and sent it bouncing in for the seventh goal.

Julia Struble made a habit of beating Niagara defenders then passing it ahead or across to teammates. Courtney Sugarman caught the top of the ball right in front and sent it careening in but the goal was negated by an off-sides call. Sarah Snyder took on half Niagara's team deep in their corner and came out with the ball. Audrey Parenti got an assist with a well-placed corner kick and tested Niagara's goalie with some good hard shots.

Defensively, Julia Newton took the ball away from two Niagara players during one of their few odd-man rushes. Jade Brooks repeatedly took the ball away from Niagara players, circled around them and sent it ahead in the other direction.