Staff Report
What started out as a relatively quiet game suddenly exploded into a run and gun shootout over the final 20 minutes between Stevens and Kearsarge on Monday. Although officially not a New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) game, somebody forgot to tell these teams as they battled hard and some exceptional goal tending rose to the top as Stevens Hailey Knight and Kearsarge’s Sam Meadows both had brilliant stops on penalty kicks.
“We really need these games, my team is beat up and we’ve only had 36 days total so far to grind things out,” said Cardinal coach Tim St. Pierre.
On the visitors sideline, Nate Camp stepped in to guide the Cougar’s this season and tonight was his first chance to get a glimpse of real soccer.
“This was just a fabulous game that could have gone either way, it’s good to be rid of some of the restrictions and play a full game against an opponent like Stevens, they just play so well,” Camp said.
With neither team able to crack the scoreboard in the first half, Kearsarge had more opportunities as
Caroline Camp found a bit of room to roam and made some nice runs on net while the best Cardinal chance came hot off the boot of Madayn Minckler but Meadows flew off her line and smothered the ball for a save early in the second half. Kearsarge threw an avalanche of shots towards Knight as three blasts came hot off a Cougars foot with one clanging off the cross bar and two more stuffed with the final attempt sailing high into the dark night sky as this triggered an exciting next 20 minutes of soccer.
That frenzy switched the entire pace of the game and opened the Cardinals eyes as things became much more intense with a scurry of midfield activity. The very next trip into Cougar territory for the Cardinals resulted in a Jenna Bonneau goal as she planted herself in a pile of players near the goal and deflected a corner that found the back of the net. Less than two minutes later it was a Minckler no doubt blast that ended up in the lower far corner to put Stevens up 2-0. Kearsarge would have an answer that would cut the lead in half as Kallee Selby found net with an assist from C. Camp to give the Cougars life but that was the end of the scoring on the night as the Cardinals walked off with a much needed win.
“This was a great game tonight and it’s something we will build on, Stevens came to play as they always do and I think we matched up pretty well especially in the midfield battles” Camp said.
“We adjusted well tonight with players in different roles and reached deep down tonight for a much needed win, Kearsarge showed me a lot tonight. They are a well coached solid team,” said St. Pierre after the game.
These same teams will meet at Kearsarge next Monday for a 7 p.m. clash.
Here is a recap of local weekend sports:
Sunapee girls soccer defeat Stevens, 3-0
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the Lakers’ Abby Pollari became the all time scoring leader at Sunapee during a game against Stevens. In a game that was a stark contrast to the game played two nights before Sunapee came out on top 3-0 behind a strong defensive effort and opportunistic scoring that started on a beautiful head ball from Abby Pollari, the assist to Brynn Smith. This goal was special as it put Abby alone atop the Sunapee all time leader board with 140 points.
Sunapee padded its lead on a nice goal from Liz Tschudin, assist to Sophie Hubert.
The Lakers took its two goal lead into the half and extended the lead on a PK goal from Abigail Pollari who was fouled from behind as she took a nice feed from Liz Tschudin in stride to the goal before being taken down.
The story of the day was that play was not as fast paced and the Lakers struggled to find a good rhythm.
“Scoring goals is nice, but we struggled to find our game,” said Lakers head coach Myles Cooney.
Credit Stevens who made some changes and dropped some players from its flat back system. We were also a little short this holiday weekend with 12 field players on a hot day. It was a little disappointing that we didn’t have our jump given our effort a couple nights ago. But what was not disappointing was the strong effort of the Sunapee defense which is starting to take shape behind some strong leadership from Emma Tuohy and Vanessa Pollari and some strong individual efforts.
“Izzy Correa really stood out for me today. She is a tough kid and plays hard.” Miah Hamm was only tested three times, but we have confidence she will get the job done.
The Lakers return to action Wednesday in a scrimmage versus Kearsarge at Alexander field.
Green Mountain clenches win in 2nd overtime
The Lady Chieftains knocked Windsor from the undefeated ranks as Kim Cunningham scored the game winner with only two minutes remaining in the second overtime. It was a battle, both teams possess the ball well, had opportunities at the net, and have experienced goalies who fought off many shots and that held the game at 0-0 through regulation. It wasn’t that shots weren’t being taken, it was a battle from both teams the entire game.
“We knew we had to stop them from building up in the midfield by shutting down Evelyn Paige. I had full confidence that Eva Svec and Tierney O’Brien would shut down Elliott Rupp,” said Green Mountain head coach Carolyn Hamilton.
Windsor couldn’t connect on final ball for quality shots as the GM defenses was just swarming to the ball.
The Chieftains restructured offense during the second half, moved some players around to draw more offense, and it paid off. With Cummingham’s goal.
“Cummings is a beast on the field, she is one of the most versatile players I’ve ever coached. She can literally play every position and excel. Grace Tyrell played an excellent through ball to Kim and she put it in the back of the net at the end of the second overtime.”
Super proud of these girls, they fought against Brattleboro on Wednesday night into OT as well. They never give up, they play with exceptional heart, and leave everything they have in the tank on the field,” Hamilton said.
Adi Prior has 10 saves on 13 shots. Both Elliot Rupp and Evelyn Page has 6 shots for Windsor.
4 goals puts Windsor passed Otter Valley
The Yellow Jackets continue to roll as they moved to 5-0 with a shutout win on Friday.
Hannah Wood ended the day with a goal and an assist while Alyssa Slocum, Ashley Grela and Meagan Holling added goals. Windsor travels to Brattleboro, Vermont, on Wednesday.
BF falls to Rivendell, 2-0
The Lady Terriers battled but the visitors scored in each half to hand Bellows Falls a loss on Saturday. The Terriers are right back at in on Thursday as they host White River Valley.
Mascoma’s pair of goals silence Sunapee
Sunapee kept the game close in the first half but Mascoma Scored two in the second half to earn the victory. Mascoma controlled the play with deft passing and skillful defense. It was Mascoma’s Ben Seiler’s day. He scored his first goal on a brilliant direct kick that hit the upper left corner. He also scored on a breakaway. The Lakers worked hard on defense but just couldn’t get organized on the attack. Matt Tschudin had the best chance for the Lakers placing a hard shot to the upper left corner of the goal but the Mascoma keeper had it dialed in to preserve the shutout. The two teams will match up again Friday at Mascoma.
Farro’s goal helps put Cardinals above Kearsarge, 2-0
A Farro goal from an assist by Zoey Foot gave the Cardinals the lead and Emily Herbet’s goal sealed the win from a Julia Tursky assist in the final quarter. The Cardinals will host Newport on Thursday for a huge game starting at 6:30 p.m.
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