Thetford
Sophie Williams scored the first goal of the game and freshman classmate Arwen Clayton added an assist, complementing Regan Covey’s hat trick as top-ranked Thetford beat No. 5 Leland & Gray, 4-1, in warm conditions at Wednesday’s semifinal at Thetford.
It was the fourth career hat trick and second this year for Covey (15 goals, six assists), whose team faces No. 2 Stowe in Saturday’s final at Bellows Falls Union High. It’s a rematch of Thetford’s 1-0 win at Stowe in late September.
This Panthers have turned around remarkably this season under first-year head coach Dave Williams and hands-on assistant Ted MacVeagh. Thetford is the No. 1 seed for the first time in 20 years and totes a record of 13-2-1, one season after toiling at 3-11-1 and failing to score during its final seven games. The Panthers have outscored opponents 39-11 this season after being outscored 34-13 in 2015.
The difference may start at the bottom, at least when it comes to the age of players. Thetford’s seven freshmen have combined for 14 goals and six assists and have four points in two playoff games, the first two coming when Lily MacVeagh (six goals, two assists) set up twin sister Casey MacVeagh for the latter’s first career goal during Saturday’s 1-0 quarterfinal win over Williamstown.
Sophie Williams didn’t look like a rookie Wednesday while digging the ball out of a partial clear and winding up to beat Rebels goalie Kelsi Bostrom in the 13th minute. Later in the first half, Clayton delivered a spot-on free kick to set up Covey’s first goal.
“We knew our freshmen knew how to play, but we were maybe a bit surprised at how much of an impact they could have at the varsity level right away,” said coach Williams, whose only freshman without a point this year is Grace Davis, a starting defender who’s helped the Panthers garner 10 shutouts. “They’ve really been great all year long.”
So has the chemistry between the freshmen and Thetford’s more experienced players, spurred by the newcomers’ willingness to contribute.
“We lost a few players from last year’s team, and we knew it was going to be important to welcome in the freshmen,” said Covey, who has five multi-goal games this year. “They’ve really been part of the team and given us a big lift. They haven’t been scared to play.”
A head injury to Leland & Gray’s Ashley Bates late in the first half resulted in a delay of roughly 15 minutes, when the Rebels decided to change their formation to include two forwards. After Bates made it to the sideline, Leland & Gray’s new approach paid off when Mackenzie Boyle set up fellow senior Emma Densmore to make it 2-1.
Boyle’s cross was to the top of the penalty box, and Densmore beat Thetford keeper Danielle Robinson with a sailing shot 2:28 before halftime.
“That was a great goal by Leland & Gray, a beautiful shot,” Dave Williams said. “I actually think it might have been good for us because it made us stay focused for the second half.”
Covey added her second goal 5:02 into the second half after a through pass from Taylor Hollis, dribbling through the Rebels defense and beating Bostrom low to make it 3-1.
“I think Regan’s speed sneaks up on people,” coach Williams said. “She plays hard and keeps defenses honest.”
Thetford remained aggressive with the two-goal advantage, outshooting Leland & Gray, 10-4, in the second half. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ back line — Davis, Emily Emerson, Kate Vaughan and Lily Brown — allowed little penetration or opportunities.
Covey sped past Rebels freshman defender Bay Holms and beat Bostrom 1-on-1 off the goalie’s hands for her third goal with 11:05 to play.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now, defensively and offensively,” Covey said. “I think we deserve to be back to the finals. It’s an awesome feeling.”
Free Kicks: Both teams scored the lone goal of their quarterfinal wins in the 65th minute. … No. 2 Stowe beat No. 3 Green Mountain in the other D-III semi Wednesday, 2-0. … Thetford freshman Ellen Veracka’s mid-first-half goal stood as the winner in the Panthers’ win at Stowe on Sept. 24, part of their 8-0 start. … Thetford led 15-4 in corner kicks and 25-6 in shots, while Bostrom made six saves for the Rebels and Robinson two for the Panthers, both in the second half.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.