By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, Vt. — Windsor was living big with a three-goal lead into the second half, but Green Mountain came roaring back as the Yellow Jackets held on for a tough 3-2 win to advance to the quarterfinals on Friday against Stowe.
“We took care of business, it wasn’t easy, but our energy is back,” said Windsor coach Jeff Bachey, as Windsor came up big when they had to against Carolynn Hamilton’s Chieftains.
Windsor controlled play for big chunks of time early, but the Green Mountain defense of Grace Wright and Ayla Price were ready for the high-powered Jack offense. The Yellow Jackets would find their pace as the game wore on as Brianna Barton and Skylar Thibodeau started to make their presence known and began getting the ball out to the wings with space to work for Audrey Rupp, Sophia Dufour and Olivia MacLeay. Rupp would rip a penalty kick into the lower corner to put Windsor ahead 1-0, then the sophomore blasted a cross into the mixer moments later that Kenzie Wescott buried to make it 2-0, a score that stood up entering the second half.
Windsor was looking to increase their lead as the second half wore on as Bachey had his strikers switching positions all game that made Green Mountain work to find their marks. Rupp found herself free above the box for only a few seconds and when the ball found her feet, her blast from 18-yards was true, giving Windsor a big 3-0 lead with 26 minutes left. ” I was surprised because I had someone on me all over the field, I just took advantage of the opening,” said Rupp.
Green Mountain would respond very quickly making the hometown crowd nervous. Kyra Burbela played a great game with runs up and down between the 18 all game, and when she got behind a Windsor defender, her speed resulted in a goal cutting the lead to 3-1. Green Mountain switched to a three-person defense, pushing players into the offensive zone looking to cut into the score even more. Prolonged attacks by Green Mountain put Windsor’s keeper Sophia Rockwood in harm’s way, throwing everything they had at her. With Chieftains flooding the box and desperate for a goal, Riley Paul would produce as she booted a loose ball between a mix of cleats and shin guards into the cage cutting the lead to only 3-2 with 20 minutes left.
Green Mountain had all the momentum, but Bachey let play happen. “I trusted my players; I knew Carolynn would throw everything at us, but the team took care of business.”
Windsor would buckle down and grab a tough 3-2 win to advance to the next round on Friday.
“This family came together, we have the right mindset at the right time,” said standout Jack defensive specialist Audri Pettirossi.
“I thought we played amazing, we covered each other really well and marked up the big scorers for Windsor, we gave everything we had,” said Green Mountain senior Ayla Price” It’s a surreal feeling, it doesn’t feel like it’s over.”
“I am so proud of this team; we came back and never gave up. The game plan was to keep the firepower of Windsor in check, and I think we did a really good job of that. We came close but I tip my hat to Windsor and wish them luck going forward,” said Hamilton.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.