Sunapee Lakers Best Rival Newport Tigers

Eagle Times Staff
NEWPORT, NH — Sunapee played local rival Newport on a perfect day for soccer Tuesday, Sept. 26, and came away with its 6th victory (6-1) of the season. Like most of their recent games, Sunapee did some things well and struggled at times with their touch and purpose.

The final score of the Newport home game was 5-2.

“We work on it every day, I know the girls want to play strong soccer,” said Sunapee Head Coach Myles Cooney. “It’s the little things mostly, but to date, we are still chasing a clean 80-minute game.”

Sunapee’s first goal, on a give-and-go from Olive Jennings to Clare Tuohy, was a bright spot on the afternoon. The Lakers had another beauty on a give-and-go from Sophie Bourque to Clare Tuohy to close the scoring.

“We see glimpses of it,” Cooney said. “It’s difficult to give maximum effort and focus every game, but that is where we are. To play well we need to be in with two feet, all of us.”

Newport scored a goal on a penalty kick and later, on a scrum off a corner kick.

“Credit Newport for playing hard and making things difficult,” Cooney said.

Sunapee held the ball for majority of the game, but Newport didn’t give an inch, making possession and effective play very difficult.

“Sunapee is always a tough game for us; they’re such a good program,” said Newport Head Coach Garry McCall. “[I] was pleased with our effort yesterday. We battled them up and down the field, made some of the same mistakes that we’ve been trying to clean up, but overall liked the way we battled to the final whistle.”

In total, the Lakers had three goals off the foot of Clare Tuohy, one from Sophie Bourque; and an own goal was awarded to Ayla Royce. Laker assists were awarded to Clare Tuohy, Sophie Bourque and Olive Jennings.

Sunapee was back in action Wednesday against division leader Portsmouth Christian Academy. Newport plays Fall Mountain in another local tilt on Thursday.