By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
LACONIA- Stevens came at Gilford with everything they had in the final minutes, but couldn’t get one in the net, as the Cardinals season ended with a 1-0 loss in semi-final action.
The only goal of the game came in stoppage time as the first half was ending off a corner and a beautiful header from the Golden Eagles. Gilford came at Hailey Knight and got a corner after a diving save from Knight. The corner kick drifted above everyone and found a leaping Gracey LeBland who deflected the shot into the net. “That was just a bang, bang play that nobody could do anything about, a spectacular goal,” said Stevens Head Coach Tim St. Pierre.
Stevens had their chances, but usually with a Gilford defender hanging off them, as the Golden Eagles’ defense was perfect in front of goalie Maggie Cummings. “We played our best game of the season tonight,” said Gilford coach Rob Meyers.
Both teams had an adjustment period of getting used to a turf surface, as the speed was very quick. But the pace favored both teams as the athletic Gilford team looked to the corners, while Stevens preferred the middle third of the pitch. Cardinal midfielders Tori Dalke, Stella Lavertue and Alyssa Paquette controlled play for lots of the first 40 minutes, but couldn’t spring Maddy Minckler, Brainna Marsh or Kiley Bundy as the defense was quick to the ball, usually double teaming Minckler as she tried to make runs toward net.
“Don’t be timid, I have no doubt in my mind that we can do it,” said St. Pierre during halftime, as the Cardinals looked to square the match. Knight was forced to make a great save midway into the second half to keep the Cardinals within striking distance. Then, on a counterattack, a semi-breakaway brought the Cardinal fans to their feet. Bundy slid a pass to Minckler as she raced to the net with a defender on her right hip. The lefty reared back and ripped off a shot just as Cummings was breaking off her line to make an incredible save as Minckler collapsed face down on the turf. “That was one of the best saves I have ever seen,” said St. Pierre
With the clock stuck on five minutes, Stevens pushed everyone forward with the entire Gilford defense marking someone and just wouldn’t let Stevens get a clear shot on net as the season ended for the Cardinals with a 1-0 loss.
“It’s not a failure not to win a championship. We have taken this team to new heights, and we will reside here. We accomplished so much this year; you just never know when it’s going to end. I am all so incredibly proud to be your coach,” said St. Pierre. “The last 25 minutes we played great, we just couldn’t put one in,” added the third-year coach.
“Next year, I’ll be right back here rooting for this team in the championship game,” said Paquette, one of five seniors on the team. “Next year will be very special. I was on the team when we played Hopkinton as a freshman, and this team has the desire to take it further next year,” said Aiden Antonivich.
Stevens closed out the season with a 16-2-1 record and a team that allowed only 5 goals all year with a returning defense all intact. The Stevens defense of Bella Bovell, Maddy LaVarnway and Nevaeh LeBlanc were unbelievable all season and will all be wearing the red and black next season.
“This year was so special, being a senior, you never know how it’s going to turn out, but we had an incredible season, so many great things happened this year,” said Lavertue.
“We wanted to win so bad. We tried our best and gave 100% and more,” said Minckler, as she will be returning with a solid group including freshman Addison Derosier. “I was nervous, this is such a big game, but my teammates were there all season and tonight as well, I’ve learned so much and I can’t wait to hoist the championship trophy next year for them,” said Derosier.
Stevens seniors on the team include Paquette, Dalke, Lavertue, Knight and Antonivich who said, “I’ve loved every second of this team. I’ve loved it all.”
#1 Saint Thomas and #2 Gilford will face each other on Friday for the Division 3 Championship and are the only teams to have beaten Stevens this season.
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