Eagle Times Staff
SUNAPEE, NH — The Lakers (9-5) struggled Friday night, Oct. 13, allowing 4 goals in the first 12 minutes of the game versus the division leading Newmarket Mules (13-0-1). Sunapee would regroup and score late to close the final score gap to 4-1, but it was little consolation for a squad that hopes to finish strong while making some noise in the state tournament.
“We worked all week on a heavy defensive formation, but this game will always remind you that the biggest factor is effort,” said Sunapee Head Coach Myles Cooney. “You can try to defend with all 11, but if you don’t work hard, it won’t matter. The kids played with pride in the second half, and I am proud of that, but it’s hard to overcome and overlook our start.”
Sunapee’s lone goal came off the foot of Anna Filippov (assist to Clare Tuohy) on a nice give and go, and while the Lakers struggled early, their late game rally was largely in part due to several kids giving their best performance of the year; mainly, Jenna Caron, Keeper Annaliese Rowell, Maya Bourque, Amelia Slack and Chloe Leslie.
“That kind of effort is something we can build on in the last weeks of the season,” Cooney said.
Sunapee is back in action Monday, Oct. 16, at Portsmouth Christian Academy. The Lakers still have a chance to start the tournament at home but need to finish with a pair of wins against quality opponents in the last week of the season.
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