Staff Report
Here are the results of local playoff games from this past week:
Sunapee teams advance
Girls: The Lady Lakers jumped on top of Wilton early in the prelim round of the Southwest bracket, as heavy rain was coming and promised to make the field difficult to play on. Sunapee pressed play and found the back of the net five times in the first half.
The second half got sloppy as the rain continued. Sunapee was able to hang two more on Wilton before yielding a goal of their own in the final minutes of the game and just before the official called the game due to the footing and field conditions.
“It was important to get this game in today,” said Lakers head coach Myles Cooney. “The weather is promising to wreak havoc on practice and games this weekend, so I was happy we pressed and made it happen today. Despite the tough footing I think the girls worked to keep the field wide, used each other and created opportunities. The defense did a nice job, particularly on their top player and I am simply grateful to advance.”
Goal scorers: Brynn Smith (2), Abigail Pollari (2), Liz Tschudin (2), Sophie Bourque (1). Assists: Smith (3), Pollari (1).
Sunapee will advance to the quarterfinal round on Sunday vs Concord Christian at 2 p.m.
Boys: Sunapee got a break on a hand ball foul 11 minutes into the game and took that opportunity and ran with it. Parker placed the penalty kick to the lower left corner for the first goal of the game.
Wilton had several shots on goal early but couldn’t equalize. As the minutes passed, Sunapee found more and more chances. Sam Kress scored on a cross from Jackson Cooney 30 minutes into the first half. Eight minutes later, Hunter Morse scored the first goal of what would become a hat trick finished off in the second half. Jackson Cooney had a second assist and Parker Reed also gave Morse a helper. Eric Nangeroni assisted on the last goal. Wilton did get one back late in the second half.
“Our defense did a great job today,” said Laker head coack Jack Iacopino. “Sean Moynihan had three tremendous saves while center backs Josh Heino and Andrew Claus made it very difficult for the speedy Wilton offense to catch their stride.”
Sunapee (9-2) will host Concord Christian Academy (7-2) on Saturday in the quarterfinals. The kickoff is scheduled for noon.
Stevens drops Division II battles
Boys: Bow hosted Stevens for the second consecutive year And while the Cardinals had their chances, the Falcons will advance after a tough 1-0 Cardinal loss.
“We had chances but we just couldn’t find that one flick of bounce to find the net,” said Stevens Captain Dylan Chambers.
Girls: Stevens took the plunge into Division II playoff action on Friday and played their best 100 minutes plus of the year.
On a horrible wet night with the field a mucky mess, Stevens went toe to toe with powerhouse Lebanon and pushed the game past double overtime. The Cardinals were the aggressors all night long with quick to the ball pressing play and they just out-hustled Lebanon.
With Tim St. Pierre non-stop encouragement all game, Stevens looked like the better team for long stretches and the goal-tending of Hailey Knight was just outstanding for Stevens. Knight had several spectacular saves including a leaping save with a fingertip grab in overtime robbing Lebanon of a sure goal.
The Cardinals best chance on the night came off the foot of a semi breakaway by Stella Lavertue as Lebanon’s all state goal keeper, Sally Rainey came off her line hard to cut off the angle.
After 80 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods, the game was decided by penalty kicks. Both Knight and Rainey were up to the challenge making saves and the winning goal came off the foot of Rainey as she kicked fifth and ended a fantastic game with a 3-2 advantage in penalty kicks.
“I just wanted to put it on frame, Knight had just a spectacular night and I just did my best,” Rainey said.
Althought the game didn’t end they way they wanted, the Cardinals stepped off the field with their heads held high.
“I am so porud of this team it’s had to put into words,” said Lauren Fellows while St. Pierre can’t wait for the next step.
“We improved all year and to play the way we did tonight is just beyond description, We have come so far and tonight we played with one of the best teams in the state, we played Stevens soccer. We let them wiggle off the hook but with more experience like games like this we will only get better,” said St. Pierre after the game.
“We will be back,” Keeper said.
Stevens volleyballers advance
The Cardinals grabbed a three set win over Hillsboro-Deering High School. This was the school’s first ever tournament win. Sunapee defeated Mascoma 3-1.
Kearsarge rolls on
Nate Camp’s lady Cougars beat Newfound 3-0 on the soccer field and will face Hopkinton Sunday at 2. On the boys side, Kearsarge defeated Newfound 5-0 then Mascoma 2-1 and will now face Hopkinton on Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest. The winners of these games will head to the Region 3 semifinals in Division III.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.