By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — One thing you can always expect when you face the Springfield Cosmos is a strong effort on the defensive end.
Where the Cosmos sometimes struggle is finding scoring from players other than senior guard Macie Stagner.
Despite dropping a 52-48 decision against White River Valley on Saturday afternoon, the silver lining for Springfield could be found in the five players other than Stagner who combined to score 22 points as they nearly knocked-off a tough one-loss squad.
White River Valley raced out to an 11-2 lead midway through the opening quarter before Springfield began to chip away at their lead. The hosts cut the deficit to as little as four following a layup by Amelia Murchie before the Wildcats added a bucket at the buzzer to take a 16-10 advantage into the second period.
White River Valley began to distance itself again in the second quarter, claiming its only double-digit lead of the afternoon with just under four minutes remaining in the period. Springfield responded with a 9-2 run, highlighted by points from four different players as they cut the deficit to 28-25 entering the half.
For the third time in as many periods, White River Valley put the Cosmos in a tough position as they extended their lead to as many as eight points. Fortunately for Springfield, reserve forward Harper Palmer found the hot hand over the final two minutes. Palmer connected on back-to-back threes to cut the deficit to 41-39 entering the final frame.
Macie Stagner opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a couple of free throws to give the Cosmos their first tie since the game was knotted at zero. However, it took the Wildcats just 19 seconds to reclaim their lead when they connected on their fifth three of the game. Despite a valiant effort from Springfield, the Wildcats refused to relinquish their lead and held on for a four-point victory.
Macie Stagner paced Springfield with 26 points and Harper Palmer was next with nine. Peyton Austin (4), Erliannyss Aviles (4), Amelia Murchie (3), and Madison Streeter (2) also reached the scoring column for the Cosmos.
Springfield (3-5) will look to end its four-game skid when they head to Woodstock on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.