By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
WINDSOR, VT — Anytime the Windsor and Green Mountain soccer teams face off, the games are fast, intense and physical.
Thursday’s game was no different.
After two scoreless halves and two overtime periods, neither team would claim a win on Sept. 22, as both settled for a draw before a decent size crowd along the sidelines.
“We knew they would bring their best game against us; they always do and today was one of those tough battles that neither team backed down from each other,” said first year Windsor Coach Jen Rupp.
As play wore on, Windsor pressed tempo but couldn’t find the openings in the net with shots flying off the feet of Olivia MacLeay. Audrey Rupp also couldn’t find the back of the net.
“They came at fast and hard today,” said MacLeay.
This match was full of choppy play and little flow from either side with midfield action taking the majority of the time in the early going. There were battles all over the pitch as Windsor midfielders Kenzie Wescott, Lily Keefe, Kemari Wildgoose and Bri Barton matched speed and muscle with Green Mountain’s Grace Wright, Sophia Cherubini and Alexis Martin.
Windsor controlled possession for a bigger part of the game than the visitors but both teams had chances all day. Green Mountain keeper Donnia Blagrove was busier than Sophia Rockwood as Windsor strikers Rupp, MacLeay and Sophia Duford had much better looks at net.
“Our plan was to limit their scorers as best as we could,” said GM Coach Carolynn Hamilton. “They are some of the best in the entire state and I think we did a pretty decent job.”
Leading the GM defense was Kyra Burbela and Autum Fales in the middle of the action as Hamilton used a stingy flat back set that frustrated Windsor. On the Green Mountain attack were hard-nosed players Linsey Miles and Abby Williams who were held in check by a very quick pack of Jack Defenders including Miah McAllister and Jaylin Lyman.
With time winding down in regulation, the save of the game in regulation came off the boot of Wescott with the box full of anxious feet but Blagrove held the near post to grab the shot as the game headed into overtime. Early into the first overtime, Blagrove opened a cut on her knee after making another big save as freshman Honroe Hazen was called into action for the remainder of the match with Windsor hunting for the winning goal.
After 19 minutes of extra play, Windsor pushed a pile of players toward the net looking for a win as Rupp slipped a pass into the mixer from the sideline. Wildgoose found herself unmarked as the ball drifted her way.
“I was in perfect position, and I headed it right into the space that had eyes for a goal,” said Wildgoose as the referees were ready to end the game with the crowd on their feet.
Somehow Hazen picked herself off the ground and reached out to flick away Wildgoose’s shot with one hand as time expired to save the day for Green Mountain.
“It was an inch away from going in,” said Wildgoose.
Meanwhile, Hazen was beyond words after the game.
“I’m just really happy I did my job,” she said.
Abby Williams was proud of her teammates.
“This was an incredibly exciting game and the best we’ve played all season against a very good Windsor team,” she said. “I look forward to playing them again at home.
Windsor stands at 4-1-1 while Green Mountain is 2-3-1.
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