Dorset, Vt.
A goalkeeper by trade, Morrison backstopped the sixth-ranked Phoenix through 110 minutes of regulation and overtime play with No. 3 Long Trail before enduring the highs and lows through three rounds of a penalty-kick shootout. Morrison had a potential game-winning kick saved in the first round before firing in the winner to cap a 13-12 PK verdict following a 1-1 draw.
“It was just a great, tight game,” Sharon coach Rob Stainton said. “I thought we played really well through regulation and overtime. There were times, in the penalties, that we had a bit of luck and they had a bit of luck. I think we deserved the win. It’s always a tough way to win and tough to lose, whoever’s on the losing end.”
Sam Knoerlein gave the Phoenix (12-4-0) their only lead of the match at the 25-minute mark, converting a pass from Aidan Trimble. The Cougars (10-4-1) equalized within 10 minutes, and the 1-1 draw remained intact all the way to penalties. Morrison kept it that way for TSA with four saves over the 110 minutes of play.
Each of the first two rounds of kicks finished in a 4-4 tie, with Morrison making a save in each round for Sharon. The senior had a chance to win the match for the Phoenix on the final kick of the first round only to have it saved by the Long Trail keeper.
Sharon won the match by going a perfect five-for-five in the third and final PK round. Dylan Carson-Turner, Knoerlein, Olly Skeet-Browning, Billy Connelli and Morrison converted for Sharon, with a Long Trail miss serving as the difference between advancing and calling it a season.
Sharon visits No. 2 West Rutland for a 12:30 semifinal on Wednesday.
East Montpelier, Vt.
Content to play deep, draw the fourth-ranked Raiders and counterattack, Hartford (8-4-4) withstood a 19-2 disadvantage in shots but rarely gave U-32 a close-range attempt. Only Maggie Kirby found a way through for the hosts, and Hartford coach Jeff Acker said it would have taken a “highlight-reel save” from goalkeeper Morgan White to keep the ball out.
“How could it end any other way?” Acker asked. “They had the better of possession and territory, but that’s our style; that was OK. The field was a little slick and soft; it was tough to really get much going. We knew we had to defend well, and we defended very well.”
White finished with 18 saves, most easy denials from long distance.
“We had a really, really good season,” Acker added. “It’s always sad when it comes to an end.”
The Canes lose nine to graduation: Lyndsie Rice, Kaylee Williams, Kenna Hausler, Maeve Sneddon, Jennifer Ladka, Belle Leister (team-leading eight goals), Kyra Wood, Sarah Jones (team-best 14 points) and Abigail Robbins.
Concord
The NHIAA released its three divisions of football tournament fields on Monday. The third-seeded Marauders (8-1) earned a 34-8 win over the sixth-ranked Raiders (6-3) on Sept. 23 at Merriman-Branch Field. They’ll meet again on the same surface on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Stevens and Newport were placed in the same bracket of the D-III tourney and would face each other with wins on Saturday. The Cardinals (6-2) will host Campbell and the defending state champion Tigers (5-3) will travel to Bishop Brady. Both games will also at 1 p.m.