CASTLETON, Vt.-The annual Lions Cup game is rich in tradition with so much meaning to those who follow high school soccer. Players step on the field for one final time in their high school careers with memories that last a life time and records etched forever.
Stevens’ Don White (1980) still has scored the most goals in the history of the event with 3 while Stevens Goalkeeper Jeff Agan combined with Hindsale’s John Butler in 1978 for the first shutout.
This year, our local players all left their marks on the pitch as Steven’s Kelsey Belisle, Fall Mountain’s Madison Parrott and Allie Stoddart along with Sunapee’s Madeline Austin took their turn competing in this summer classic.
With Austin being selected as a captain for the NH squad, the game opened as expected; a little tentative as both teams just started getting used to their teammates and the turf at Castleton University. Austin started the game on the attacking line while Parrott found herself in the center of the defensive line at the opening whistle.
Injuries prevented Stoddart from playing as her doctor wouldn’t sign off allowing her to play and Belisle was nursing a sore quad throughout the game.
Vermont was the early aggressor as Montpelier’s 5’11” Cricket Basa used her size and strength to force play down the middle of the field right toward Parrott. Those early attacks were turned away as Austin made her presence felt with some rushes of her own on the Vermont net, one resulting in a hard tackle from a strong hip check by Colchester’s Avery Finelli.
With their feet finally under them, the game grew more physical and the speed increased as the NH squad pressured the wings while VT pushed the ball down the gut of the NH defense. NH drew the game’s first corner at the 31 minute mark, as the Granite Staters began to grab more control of the game.
Three minutes later, Bow High School’s Danielle DesRuisseaux wiggled her way between two defenders off a pass from Austin which forced the VT keeper to make a move on the ball. DesRuisseaux slid toward the left and ripped a shot into the far corner for a 1-0 New Hampshire lead at the 28:55 mark. Assisting on the play were Austin and Megan Blanchette from John Stark.
NH continued to control play as the NH defensive line of Parrot, Blanchette and Madeline Parisi of Hillsboro-Deering were solid and lightning quick to the ball.
“We knew that the speed of the game was going to be quicker than we had played in high school,” said Parrott after the game. “… but wow, was it ever and the need to close space was needed and I think we held up pretty well today. I’m proud to be able to represent FM today in this game just like my uncle did.” Her uncle, Justin Parrott, played in the men’s Lions Cup game in 1994 and also served as a coach on the men’s team in 2003.
The 1-0 NH lead stood as VT pressured Rebecca Milbury of Epping with a prolonged attack during the final 5 minutes of the half, as she played the entire game without Stoddart able to go. “It was killing me not to be able to play today but I’m honored to be selected and I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” said Stoddart post-game.
Early in the second half, Austin’s bid just missed as her speed was strong all day and John Stark’s Cara Easter’s blast whistled over the cross bar from just outside the 18 as NH was dominating play. NH was looking for the knockout goal as Belisle found herself in the middle of the action in a familiar attacking position after having played midfield in the first half.
“The pace was unbelievable, we came to camp on Thursday and we were told it was going to be fast but until you get into a game situation, you just don’t realize how good everyone really is,” said the Cardinals’ Belisle after the game.
Vermont keeper Gabby Gosselin from Colchester grew stronger as the game went along including a tremendous one handed save off the foot of DesRuisseaux from deep in the corner with just under four minutes remaining.
As Vermont pressed the tempo sending extra attackers forward, NH’s Blanchette continued to shine on defense with tough play against Basa and Tatum Vachereau of Burlington late in the game to earn her the NH MVP award this year to secure a hard fought 1-0 NH win on Saturday.
The Vermont MVP award was presented to Natalie Durieux of Champlain Valley High School.
“What a great match today against a really good VT team,” said Austin after the game. “I thought we played well and made some great adjustments and I’m really excited for college soccer if this is what it’s going to be like,” added the Sunapee star.
In the late game, the NH and Vermont men’s match ended in a 1-1 tie.
Next year’s game will also be played at Castleton University. New Hampshire leads the men’s series with an 18-16 advantage with 9 ties, while the NH women have an 18 to 13 advantage with 5 ties.
The Lions of Vermont and New Hampshire pull together each year to raise money in this event to fund a variety of projects across each state since 1975, with over $600,000 having been raised.
Game note: Green Mountain head women’s soccer coach Carolyn Hamilton was an assistant coach for the Vermont squad. Before the game, the National Anthem was sung by the entire Vermont team.
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