CLAREMONT – The Cardinals started a deep and talented senior class Wednesday as Maddie Vaine, Abby Miller, Regan Burt, Ashlyn Marsh, Jenna Pond, Kaitlyn Chambers, Brooke Bonneau, LeeAnn McCarthy, Audrey Puksta and Julia Belaire all were on the field at the opening whistle against Hillsboro-Deering. A pre-game ceremony honored all the seniors and their families as hugs and tears were soon washed away with Stevens winning 6-0.
With the Cardinals currently tied for third place in the NHIAA D-III standings, wins are important to keep them at the top of the heap, and it was junior Sydney Miller that got things rolling as she scored from the middle of the goal area 6 minutes into the game.
Puksta had tied Amy Zombeck’s school record of 30 goals last week and she broke it Wednesday night with 31 minutes showing on the clock in the opening half. Puksta was not to be denied and pushed defenders aside as her shot found its way into the lower corner of the net. The ball was removed from the game for Puksta to take home with her as her teammates piled on her while a “that’s my girl” cheer could be heard from the stands.
Puksta would add to her impressive total by scoring her second goal before halftime to give the Cardinals a comfortable 3-0 lead as they were dominating play.
“This game has so much meaning to me and this entire team, It hasn’t hit me yet that this is our last year together so we really need to play hard and finish strong and I think tonight we did just that,” said senior Jenna Pond after the game.
The second half was cold and lopsided as the Cardinals controlled play. Miller would score two more goals for a hat-trick and Puksta would add another for a hat-trick of her own.
“I feel really good about this team and how we just overcome things all year,” said senior Ashlyn Marsh. “Injuries, losses and everything that goes into a season has hit us but here we are, playing the game we all love,” added Marsh.
Stevens coach Tom Belaire has coached most of this team since the U-6 program in Claremont. “These kids are just great, it has been so much fun over the years to coach these players,” said an emotional Belaire. “I knew when they were in eighth grade that this group was going to be special but we’re not done quite yet.”
Stevens stands at 12-3 at press time and is tied with Gilford for the second spot. The Cardinals will head to the 14-1, Division IV leading Sunapee Lakers on Friday for what could be the local game of the year.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.