Orford
The standout midfielder scored a goal late in the first half, then saved a potential equalizer by Peoples Academy midway through the second half to preserve the 1-0 victory.
Powers is one of several new additions to a team that will play in its third consecutive championship game on Saturday against No. 6 Vergennes (9-5-2). Thetford lost to Stowe in 2016 and defeated Green Mountain Union last year.
The versatile Powers said she found the Panthers to be a welcoming bunch when she joined the squad during preseason.
“We’re all a family, so it’s great to be a part of the team,” Powers said. “The expectation was high, but we still have fun and play the game.”
TA has set a high bar with its recent success, but not through constant seriousness and discipline.
“We always try to make sure we’re having fun and taking advantage of these opportunities,” third-year coach Dave Williams said. “So I just hope these girls enjoy these next two practices and this last game; I mean, they’ve earned it. We want it to be fun, and we want to just play the best game we can. That will be our focus.”
The No. 1 Panthers (14-1-1) knew they would have their work cut out for them with the No. 4 Wolves (12-4-1). The teams tied, 3-3, back on Sept. 29 in Thetford.
“Peoples is always a scrap,” Williams said. “I love the way they adjust. It’s a great opportunity for our girls to play against a program like that.”
Wednesday’s rematch, played at Rivendell Academy because of overly saturated fields on Thetford’s campus, was deadlocked until 4:48 remained in the first half.
Junior Casey MacVeagh started the play with a cross from the left wing that eluded Wolves keeper Paige Pierce and found Gevie Horster at the far post. Horster touched the ball over to Powers, who chested it into the back of the net.
Powers’ other gem came during the second half, on the very same goal line, only this time with the Panthers defending the pitch’s south-end net. After Thetford goalie Emma Berard was temporarily beat, Powers and sweeper Grace Davis retreated to the goalmouth, where the former booted away the Wolves’ most dangerous chance of the day.
Some on the Peoples bench even cheered in anticipation of what initially appeared to be a goal in the making.
Berard and Davis joined Lily Brown, Arwen Clayton, Abigail Berard and others to form an ironclad defense against a perennial D-III powerhouse.
Thetford’s goalie was complimentary of the Panthers’ field players.
“I think we just really possessed quite well, and we did a really nice job staying composed,” Berard said. “I know it was super-intense for all of us, but we were able to get the ball up and not just play around with it and know when we needed to have urgency. I think that really paid off for us.”
Berard, a sophomore, played stopper on last year’s championship team but also grew accustomed to the keeper position through her club soccer commitments. She made five saves against the Wolves while helping the Panthers to their fifth shutout of the year.
Wednesday’s win-or-exit showdown was an entertaining grind that could have gone either way.
“I give our girls credit; they earned it,” Williams said. “I think they earned the win; they answered. The second part of the first half, Peoples started to solve it. They had us on our heels a little bit, but I think our girls, the second half, I think they evened it out a little bit.”
Saturday’s game, between two teams who have not met this season, is set for Randolph High School at 10 a.m.
What should the Panthers emphasize between now and then?
“I think just really getting touches on the ball and making sure we can connect passes,” Berard said. “And getting ready for the mindset of the championship game.”