By Cody Marshall – Sports Journalist

If the 2011 Section 2 soccer season had come to a close on Sunday, the Mayfield Panthers would have been looking at not only a first round home game in Sectionals, but the top seed as well at 4-0-0. The Golden Eagles of Galway would’ve been looking at playing in Greenwich (#5 after Sunday) with the 12^th overall seed in Class C. Fortunately, there’s still a whole month of games still to be played, and Galway was looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to Class D and WAC North opponent Northville on Friday.

If they did an “America’s Line” point spread on the Mayfield-Galway matchup going in, the Panthers would have a sure advantage. With starting striker Cameron Smith out for a month (concussion), and starting goalkeeper Shane Marshall out for at least 7 days (concussion), Galway turned to its bench for support. Evan Ceroalo got the start in the net after making 10 saves and keeping the nets clean for about 70 minutes against Northville. Casey Mello started in Cameron Smith’s spot, alongside junior Josh Bailey. Both Ceroalo and Mello played huge roles in the win.

Within the first five minutes of the game, the scoreboard was just warming up, as Galway took a 2-0 lead. The first goal was scored by Josh Bailey, when he slid a ball calmly into the back of the net, past Mayfield goalkeeper Ryan Hennessy. Then, Josh Bailey came up with an assist when Casey Mello hit the twine less than 3 minutes later. From there, the Golden Eagles withstood the quick free kicks and Mayfield’s best opportunities to come away with a 2-0 halftime lead.

The second half didn’t have as much scoring early on, but both teams would find the back of the nets multiple times. The first goal of the second half came from Josh Bailey when he sent another shot past a diving Hennessy and into the lower corner. At that point, Galway led 3-0. However, miscommunication between the defense allowed Dylan Toscano, the Mayfield striker, to collect the ball just on the opposite side of midfield and carry straight to goal, resulting in an easy goal for the junior and putting Mayfield on the board. From there, Galway answered with a goal from sophomore Zach Hartman, his second of the year, from within 10 yards. Jordan Ryder scored goal number two for Mayfield after the ball was bobbled around within six yards of the goal by countless players, resulting in a rocket to put the Panthers within 2. Galway answered yet again when Josh Bailey was trying to run down a ball inside 12 yards of the goal, when keeper Ryan Hennessy shoved Bailey and drew a penalty kick. Bailey lined up and finished with finesse, as the ball went by Hennessy, who dove to his left thinking that Bailey was going that way.

As with all rivalries, some cards were given out. The lone Galway card was given to Austin Izzo, late in the second half, while Mayfield drew two, one by Jordan Ryder (spent last year at Northville) and Corey Klingbeil. The win puts Galway at 2-1-1 (.625), while the loss drops Mayfield to 4-1-0 (.800). These two teams are scheduled to meet again in Mayfield on October 7^th at 7:00pm. Galway’s next game will be against Middleburgh (2-1-0) on Wednesday, while Mayfield will look to regroup and defeat Mekeel Christian Academy (formerly Schenectady Christian, 2-2-0) on Wednesday as well.

Class C Standings (through all games on 9/19/11)

1. Schoharie (4-0-0)

2. Lake George (3-0-0)

3. Maple Hill (3-0-0)

4. Greenwich (2-0-0)

5. Hoosic Valley (2-0-0)

6. Mayfield (4-1-0)

7. Middleburgh (2-1-0)

8. Voorheesville (2-1-0)

9. Berlin (2-1-0)

10. Galway (2-1-1)

11. Mekeel Christian Academy (2-2-0)

12. Waterford (1-1-0)

13. Berne-Knox-Westerlo (2-2-0)

14. St. JOE (1-1-1)

15. Hadley-Luzerne (1-2-1)

16. Canajoharie (0-3-2)

17. Fort Plain (0-3-2)

18. Hoosick Falls (0-3-0)