By Christopher Shaban
[email protected]
WINDSOR, Vt. — Our region will be represented in championship field hockey games on Saturday as Bellows Falls heads to Manchester while Windsor heads to Burlington. Undefeated Bellows Falls will face Champlain Valley Union in Division I while also undefeated Windsor will square off against Stowe in Division III.
In semifinals action, Windsor just kept on rolling while the Terriers will enter the championship game after a heart stopping come from behind win.
Bellows Falls 4, Burlington 3
Trailing 3-1 at the half, the Terriers dug deep after Ashlin Maxfield’s goal was all the Terriers could muster against a very strong Burlington team.
The Bellows Falls comeback was started by another Maxfield goal on an assist from Sadie Scott and the Terriers were feeling it. Grace Wilkinson’s goal tied things setting the stage for the goal of the year for Bellows Falls.
With the clock ticking down and both teams staring at the possibility of overtime where the next goal wins, Maya Waryas ended any thought of overtime as she planted one in the back of the cage with only two seconds remaining as the Bellows Falls fans were beside them selves as Waryas was mobbed on the field.
Bellows Falls will be making its sixth consecutive championship appearance.
Windsor 7, Missisquoi 0
The Yellow Jackets have so many offensive weapons at their disposal and today it was Karen Kapuscinski’s turn to kick things off as she ripped in two quick scores to send Windsor on their way.
“We all contributed not only today but all season, this team is so close and our passion feeds off each other, we love this game and don’t want to stop,” said Kapuscinski after the game.
Janiah Young and Hannah Wood added scores and by the half it was 4-0.
Not only can Windsor score but their defense has been stingy all season.
“I didn’t play last year and it really lit a fire in me, I wanted to be a part of this so bad and to be on this team is just a remarkable feeling,” said defender Paige Kleefisch. The Yellow Jacket defense has put up five shutouts on the year and allowed only three goals total.
H. Wood, Alexina Peckinpaugh and another Kapuscinski goal would send Windsor back to the championship as they look to defend last years championship.
“This is what we’ve worked so hard for,” said Windsor head coach Jody Wood. “The seniors on this team have been through so much, they started as freshmen rebuilding this program and now they are headed to the championship as seniors, I couldn’t be more proud.”
Bellows Falls’ game time is noon while Windsor gets underway at 11 a.m.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.