ARLINGTON, Vt. — Alex Montano’s tweaking and tinkering may be paying off at just the right moment for the White River Valley boys soccer team.
Carder Stratton scored twice, including on a solo dribble run in overtime, as the 13th-ranked Wildcats claimed their second straight VPA Division IV tournament upset in a 2-1 defeat of No. 5 Arlington on Friday. WRV (3-5-1) used a Stratton penalty kick to beat No. 4 West Rutland in its tourney opener earlier this week.
Stratton had another PK in this one, but the Wildcats needed one more strike to prevail.
“We’ve been tweaking formations and philosophies, and we’ve hit on something that’s right for us at the right time,” WRV coach Alex Montano said. “The kids are 100% into what we’re doing, and that’s the big difference.”
Stratton, who had to leave the West Rutland match after sustaining an injury in the lead-up to his PK conversion, returned to the spot again in the 30th minute. Robby McShinsky beat three defenders before being taken down in the Arlington box, leading to Stratton’s penalty conversion. The lead held until the Eagles (5-3-1) — who routed WRV, 7-1, in a regular-season encounter — nodded home the tying goal in the final five minutes of regulation.
Stratton scored unassisted 10 minutes into overtime to win it, going on a solo dribble run from his half of the field to the back of the net.
Dominic Craven turned aside 11 shots in the WRV net. Wyatt Slater, Jacob Barry, Jack Simack and Donovan Forcier all had big games in the big moment for the Wildcats, Montano said.
“I am in awe at the effort by this team,” Montano added. “Carder took the game over when I was worried that we may not have any gas left in the tank.”
White River Valley will play the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between No. 1 Twin Valley and No. 9 Blue Mountain in Tuesday’s semifinals.
MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Two goals allowed in the final five minutes of the first half took the starch out of the fifth-seeded Wasps’ efforts to advance in the VPA Division II tournament.
The Tigers (7-2-1) added a third early in the second half. Andrew Gubbins drew Woodstock (6-3-1) back a goal with a late penalty kick only to have Middlebury added a fourth goal with 10 minutes left in the match.
“It is always disappointing to lose in the playoffs, but I am proud of the way the team continued to look for a way to get back into the game after going behind,” Woodstock coach Rob Stainton said. “Difficult conditions made for tricky footing, but the boys gave it their all for 80 minutes.”
Senior Tom Bissaillon recorded 10 saves in the Woodstock net. He, Gubbins, Mason Harkins, Parker Kuhnert, Josh Mather, Taylor Ploude and Charles Greene make up the Wasps’ graduating class.
THETFORD — The Panthers (8-2-0) saw their bid for a fourth straight VPA Division III crown ended by the team that last denied them a title.
Madi Powers converted a first-half free kick to get second-seeded Thetford started. The 10th-ranked Raiders (4-6-0) equalized before the interval and took the lead for good with 15 minutes to play.
Stowe beat TA in the 2016 D-III final, 2-0. The Panthers won the next three in succession, amassing a 45-5-2 mark during their championship reign.
Emma Berard made six saves in the Thetford net. In addition to the netminder, the Panthers graduate Emi Vaughn, Gevie Horster, Namya Benjamin, Emma Colby, Kelsey Smith, Becca Wells, Maddie Hatch, Crystal Parshley and Autumn Horniak.
QUECHEE — The Eagles (7-2) closed out their coronavirus-affected outdoor season by winning the title match of their own invitational tournament, rallying from a one-set deficit to topple the Hilltoppers, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22, in a tight contest.
Delaney Gross paced the offense with a perfect 16-for-16 afternoon at the service line, including a team-best eight aces. Nykrisha Jenks served 15 assists and Gross added 12 to support an attack that got 11 kills from Hayley Goodwin and nine from Sydney Goodwin. Sydney Goodwin added eight digs on defense to go with seven from Sarah Bascom.
“The girls battled the cold and a tough St. Jay team,” coach Tom Evans said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to coach this team, and I’m really proud of their effort tonight.”
Mid Vermont Christian will lose Jenks, Anna Loiselle, Gabby Tsakiris and Sydney Goodwin to graduation.
HANOVER — The Generals (7-3) swept the Marauders, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19, to end their NHIAA Division II season in the state quarterfinals.
Hanover fell to a team with more power hitters than coach Megan McFarland’s squad had seen all season. Junior libero Katie Peterson anchored the back line, “and collectively everyone made contributions like they have all season,” McFarland said.
Hanover (7-1) graduates Emily Gammell, Alice Rodi, Lyric Wilson and Jasmine Tracy.
SUNAPEE — The Lakers grabbed a 25-7, 25-27, 25-10, 25-13 win to advance in the NHIAA Division III tournament and end the Cardinals’ season.
“The Lakers started the match with strong serves, though (Stevens) responded with the same in set two,” Stevens coach Rick Dorcely said. “Ultimately, the Lakers’ offense made the difference this match.”
The Cardinals (2-7) graduate Natalie Goss, Emily Anderson, Autumn Renee Bragg, Laiken Becker and Madasia Van Guilder.