CLAREMONT — Sally Rainey wasn’t going to let her successful high school soccer career come to a close on Thursday night at Monadnock Park.
Headed to penalty kicks after 100 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Lebanon High goalie stepped up big for the Raiders. She stopped three Stevens High shots and booted the winning penalty kick as Lebanon defeated the host Cardinals, 1-0 (2-1 PKs), in a NHIAA Division II preliminary round game. Rachel Harrington provided the first PK goal for the Raiders.
“Not surprised at all with how she performed,” said Lebanon coach Breck Taber of Rainey’s performance. “Not many goalies would want to be put into that position, but that’s where she thrives.”
The victory sends the Raiders to Sunday’s quarterfinal contest at Bow. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Stevens will lose Angelina LaClair, Annika Ratcliffe, Gabriell LaBounty and Caidence Verrill to graduation.
BEDFORD — As the temperature got colder and the rain continued to fall steadily, the Marauders started to move into their game.
Eventually, Sage McGinley-Smith found an opportunity, taking a shot from the right side that slipped by the Bulldogs’ goalie. The lone score, which was assisted by Casey McGuire, was all Hanover (9-0-1) needed to hold on and win the NHIAA D-I preliminary round match.
Rebekah Rudd stopped 12 saves in net for the Marauders, who advance to Sunday’s quarterfinal contest at Goffstown.
BOW — The Cards fell in the prelims of the NHIAA D-III tournament, ending their season. The game was scheduled to be played Wednesday, but the game was paused for a day because of a COVID-19 positive on the Newport boys soccer.
Stevens (5-8-0) will graduate Brady Moote, Gabe Miller, Colby Jarvis, Prescott Herzog and Caden Ferland.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Eagles began a two-day postseason volleyball invitational with four teams outside of Chittenden County. Seeding was done by rankings on the VPA website.
No. 2 seed MVCS defeated the third-ranked Solons in the semifinals in straight sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-21). Sarah Bascom led the charge, racking up three aces and five digs for the Eagles. Sydney Goodwin contributed one assist, three kills and six digs, and Delaney Gross added three aces, four assists and six kills.
Nykrisha Jenks also had five assists and four digs.
“We faced a tough opponent who gave us a very competitive match,” MVCS coach Tom Evans said. “With consistent serving and solid defense from our players we were able to control the game.”
The Eagles were supposed to take on top-seed St. Johnsbury in the championship on Thursday afternoon, but rain forced a postponement. MVCS is hoping to squeeze in the title game on Friday afternoon.
WINDSOR — Top-seeded Windsor will take on No. 2 seed Stowe on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Burlington High.
Gates open for spectators at 9:15. No general admission will be sold due to a limited number of fans allowed. Coaches will coordinate the sale of the limited supply of reserved tickets, primarily to the family of athletes.
The game will be live streamed here.
The Yellowjackets knocked off Stowe in last year’s title tilt to win their first championship since 2009 and seventh overall. The two teams didn’t meet this season.