Raptors Back in Top Three With Win Over Victor SC

Nikki Creasey (#3)

The Albion Raptors jumped two spots in the RDYSL standing after a 5-2 win over Victor SC in tonight's match.

Victor capitalized on a slow start from the Raptors, getting the first goal of the game early in the half on a defensive breakdown in the box. That goal quickly ignited the Raptors, however, as they went on to score the next four goals of the game before halftime. Claire Squicciarini got the equalizer for Albion after making a near post run and burying a corner kick from Mariah Plain. The game remained tied for some time, and Victor had a great chance to take back the lead. The Victor forward had a solid strike from outside the box heading to the upper corner, but goalkeeper, Kailey Merrill, was there to make the jumping save. It was Abby Scanlan who put the Raptors in the lead off another corner kick from Plain. Scanlan made the back post run and was able to get a knee on the ball. The eventual game winner would be another goal from Scanlan. Plain earned her third assist of the night by sending Scanlan a through ball to the outside and Scanlan sent her shot back post right over the Victor keeper's hands. Just before the end of the first half, Scanlan would complete her hat trick off another assist from Plain. Plain played a negative ball to Scanlan in the midfield, when she was able to rip her shot from distance upper 90.

In the second half, Victor was able to adjust their game and limit the Raptors scoring chances. They were able to cut the lead in half with a well-struck shot over Merrill to the back post, but this would be as close as they'd come to tying the game. While the rest of the half was very back and forth, it would be Albion with the last goal. In the last minute of play, Alexis Creasey threw the ball in to Scanlan and she was able to turn and take her space. Seeing the the Victor keeper was off her line, Scanlan struck the ball from 40 yards out to earn her fourth goal of the night.

Now sitting in third place in the RDYSL, the Raptors have two important games left to finish out their season. They face off against current RDYSL front-runner, the Chili Attack, at home on Sunday, July 21. Kick off is set from 6:30 PM.