NTL BOYS SOCCER: ATHENS 'ESCAPES' WILLIAMSON WITH 1-1 DRAW (16 PHOTOS) (October 3, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
TIOGA JUNCTION — Athens junior Riley Patterson scored early in the second half, and neither team could dent the other's defenses for the final 32 minutes in the Wildcats' 1-1 tie with Williamson here Saturday in NTL boys soccer action.

"We escaped," said Athens coach Travis Reynard. "We were able to fight for a draw, which is not what we were hoping for, but it took everyone working together and doing their jobs to make it happen.

"There were moments where we controlled the game and just couldn’t put it in the net. 

"We simply have to be better in all aspects of the game to get the result we want," added Reynard.

Shae Davis scored five minutes into the second half to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes later, Patterson fielded a cross from sophomore Caden Brennan and tied the game with a shot into the net.

"Not one of our best performances on the offensive side of the ball," said Reynard. "We definitely had to adjust due to the field size, but that’s not an excuse.

"We have to capitalize on our 1-v-1 chances and focus on finesse shots over power," he noted. "Fixing the simple technical things is the difference between a win and a tie or a loss."

Williamson had a 7-4 edge in shots-on-goal, and a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Senior Zach Fisher recorded six saves in net for the Wildcats.

"Defensively, we held strong, especially against a Williamson team that loves to move the ball quick through the midfield," said Reynard. "We still have simple things to clean up, such as clearing the ball under pressure and being in the right position to slow down attacks as that’s what hurt us. 

"We need to be physical in a way that helps us, not hurts us," he added.

Athens, now 8-2-2, returns to action Monday when it hosts Elmira.

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PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.

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