By Christopher Shaban
Eagle Times Correspondent
WINDSOR, VT —The Windsor girls soccer team ended homecoming weekend Saturday, Oct. 14, with a convincing 8-1 win over White River Valley as Olivia MacLeay, Audrey Rupp and Bri Barton all netted goals for the Yellow Jackets.
With defenders Miah McAllister and Gabby Crane protecting keeper Sophia Rockwood from harm, it was the offense that did the damage. A 25-yard bender off the foot of MacLeay found net; then she drilled another one from almost the same spot as Windsor led 2-1 into the break.
“This team is very close, and we feel like a big family,” said MacLeay. “We settled down from a so-so first half and really stepped it up.”
Whatever co-coaches Jenn Rupp and Wendy Moody said to the team during the break, it lit a fire as they came out blasting away at the WRV net and ended up ripping off 6 unanswered goals as everything just fell into place.
“It was a busy week with all the homecoming activities and games. We seemed to be in a cloud for the first stretch of the game, then we found our game,” said Jenn Rupp. “These kids all support each other, and I know all the teams were at each other’s games all week, including the football game today. It was a special week here.”
The Wolverines stayed alive in large part due to the catlike reflexes of keeper Imari Taylor and the slick play of defender Sadie Kinsley, but the Windsor attack wore the visitors down. Audrey Rupp would open the scoring floodgates as she shook off her defender and planted her strike between Taylor and the near post to put the Jacks up 3-1.
“Once we settled down, we were fine. We stepped our aggressiveness and played the way we are capable of,” said the junior striker.
Midfield play of Kemari Wildgoose, Barton and wing action by Kenzie Wescott and Sophia Dufour kept the Yellow Jacket attack buzzing. MacLeay would end up face down on the turf after she pushed through defenders to complete her hat-trick, then it was Audrey Rupp’s turn to grab some twine. Her one touch blast from the corner upped the lead to 5-1. Barton was rewarded for her hard work with two goals only seconds apart with a beauty off an Audrey Rupp pass that Barton trapped and slid into the far corner.
Audrey Rupp would finish the scoring with a left-footed hit that froze the keeper as the celebration was on.
“Our vibe came out in the second half,” MacLeay said. “We played the way we know we can play.”
Windsor (10-1-1) has games with Rivendell and Leland and Gray remaining before they head into playoffs.
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