SHARON — A quartet of penalty kick goals was just the spark the Sharon Academy boys soccer team needed to rise up in the second half for a 5-3 win over visiting Arlington on Friday.
Down 3-2 at halftime, the Phoenix scored three unanswered goals after the break to get the win. Four of the five Sharon goals came on spot kicks, including two by Daniel Henderson, who got taken down twice in the box and converted both of his penalties for goals.
Riley Eastman duplicated the feat for a pair of PK strikes of his own after he, too, was taken down twice in the box. Luke Miller set up the fifth goal with a cross to Henderson, who beat a defender and found Eastman for a tap-in goal.
“Arlington’s plan to be physical with our forwards backfired, as it resulted in the spot kicks. Our defense was porous in the first half, but we restructured our formation and Jaxon Nichols took charge from his center-back position,” Sharon coach Blake Fabrikant said. “We have to be better next week against both Proctor and MSJ, but we can definitely build on the momentum of the second half.”
First up for Sharon is a visit to Proctor on Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s VPA Division IV semifinals won by the Phantoms, 1-0.
PELHAM, N.H. — Ryan Oliveira’s hat trick helped the Raiders (11-1-0) to a dominant win over the Pythons.
Oliveira’s first two goals came in the first eight minutes of the game to stake Lebanon to the early lead. Krists Putans and Daniel Mladek added goals in the next seven minutes to put the visitors in front, 4-0. Nick Brill, Oliveira and Putans all added goals in the second half.
Angus Hall had a team-best two assists for Lebanon. Will McGee, Brill, Bennett Hewett, Oliveira and Mladek each had a single assist. Starting keeper Easton Wykes made two saves, and Zach Aldrich made one in relief.
The Raiders will visit Milford on Wednesday.
WEST CANAAN — The Royals won their fourth game in a row to improve to 8-4-0.
Mascoma got things going in the 24th minute when Cole Moulton found Zach Thompson, who redirected a pass in perfect position for Grant Suttie to finish. Moulton followed three minutes later, scoring with an assist to Suttie. Suttie added the final goal with a second assist to Thompson.
“The midfield and defensive effort gave Mascoma the edge,” Royals coach Keli Green said. “The team is really gelling on the field, playing hard and making smart decisions.”
Green highlighted the play of Logan Isham, Aidan Smith and Garrett Giovagnoli. Keeper Isaiah Hogan made two saves for the Royals.
Mascoma hosts Hopkinton on Friday.
WHITINGHAM, Vt. — Dominic Craven had both goals for the Wildcats, but Twin Valley scored in the 78th minute to tie it up and force a draw.
Both of Craven’s goals came in the second half after the teams played a scoreless first half. WRV held a 2-1 lead until the hosts tied it up late in regulation. The Wildcats held the line in overtime to earn the deadlock.
“It’s easy to lose focus after giving up the tying goal so late while playing on the road, but the boys kept their cool. I’m very proud of them,” WRV coach Alex Montano said.
Robby McShinsky had an assist for the Wildcats and keeper Taittin Griffin made six saves. WRV (4-4-2) visits Bellows Falls on Tuesday.
CLAREMONT — The Cardinals picked up their third straight win with a shutout at the Bobcats.
Stevens (6-5-0) visits Manchester West on Monday.
FAIR HAVEN, Vt. — The Hurricanes (6-5-0) were shut out at Fair Haven. Hartford visits Woodstock on Thursday.
ORFORD — Kylie Taylor dished out three assists to spark the Raptors (6-4-1) to their third straight win.
Taylor set up the first goal, taking possession in the defensive half and sending a low pass up the field to a streaking Ryleigh Butler, who beat a defender for the goal. Harper Traendly added a pair of goals, and Allie Vogelien had one. Keeper Savannah Gray made three saves for the Raptors.
“We played a strong game today. I’m excited about how well we played and the contributions from everyone,” Rivendell coach Tim Goodwin said.
The Raptors are off until they host Hazen on Oct. 16.
PLYMOUTH, N.H. — The Cardinals improved to 8-2-0 with a shutout win on the road.
Stella Lavertue got the party started with her team-leading 13th goal. Madalyn Minckler, Tori Dalke, Kiley Bundy, Hannah Miller and Molly Derosier also scored.
Stevens has now won six games in a row and will go for seven at home against Fall Mountain on Wednesday.
WINDSOR — The Yellowjackets (3-6-1) settled for a draw in a battle of defense with the Cosmos.
Audrey Rupp scored for Windsor, with assists to both Elliot Rupp and Olivia MacLeay. Jacks keeper Sophia Rockwood made six saves.
“We played a tough game tonight. Our defense did a great job of slowing their attack,” Windsor coach Jeff Bachey said. “On offense, we had our chances but just couldn’t find the back of the net. I’m proud of how hard my team worked tonight and kept cheering each other on as the game drew to a close.”
Bachey praised the defensive work of Miah McAllister and the attacking play of Elliot Rupp, who had four shots. Windsor hosts rival Woodstock on Wednesday.
FAIRFAX, Vt. — The Olympians (5-4-1) couldn’t keep pace against an unbeaten BFA-Fairfax team.
Emma Parkin scored in the 26th minute for Oxbow, curling in a corner kick to make the score 2-1 in favor of the hosts.
“Fairfax’s record is no joke. They have 10 seniors and were a force to be reckoned with,” Oxbow coach Dan Thomas said. “We learned a lot from playing against them.”
Thomas praised the play of Parkin, Maggi Ellsworth and Sophia Hayes in the losing effort. The Olympians visit Blue Mountain on Wednesday.
BARRE, Vt. — The Panthers came up just short in a tough, contested game on the road.
“It was a well-played and physical game with good sportsmanship,” Thetford coach Dave Williams said.
The Panthers (2-7-1) host Williamstown-Northfield on Wednesday.
BELMONT, N.H. — The Royals (1-11-0) came up short in a road battle at Belmont.
Keeper Emma Bill made 11 saves for Mascoma, which hosts Hopkinton on Tuesday.
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. — Ezra Mock played a big part of a five-touchdown surge for the Hurricanes (5-1), scoring four times the charge in Hartford’s latest VPA Division I win.
The Hornets (4-2) scored first on an 18-yard Oliver Orvis run late in the first quarter, then the Canes got to work by scoring the next 35 points to take control. Brayden Trombly hit Jacob Seaver on 60-yard pass-and-run before Mock scored three times for a 28-7 halftime cushion.
Mock’s latter two touchdowns came following Essex fumbles. He added a fourth TD early in the third quarter to lock down the victory.
The Canes return home on Friday for face Burr & Burton on senior night.
CLAREMONT — The Cardinals (3-3) nabbed a second straight win, overwhelming Interlakes-Moultonborough at Barnes Park to keep their NHIAA Division III playoff hopes alive.
Jai Lique-Ribeiro had another big game for Stevens, rushing for two touchdowns and more than 100 yards. Quarterback Zack Bundy connected with Aiden White on a 78-yard TD pass, White’s first as a varsity player. White finished with two catches for 117 yards and contributed a field goal and three extra-point kicks as well.
Bundy accounted for Stevens’ other touchdown. Freshman Steven Rheaume led the defense with two big sacks and a number of tackles.
Stevens visits unbeaten Trinity on Oct. 16.
WOODSTOCK — The Wasps (5-1) scored early and often on the young Olympians (0-5) at James McLaughlin Field. Woodstock owned a 47-0 lead by halftime.
The Wasps next travel to Otter Valley on Oct. 16. Oxbow is also in action that day, hosting Poultney.
HANOVER — The Spartans pulled away in the second half to hand Hanover (5-1) its first loss of the season, costing HHS a share of first place in NHIAA Division II’s West Division.
Milford had an 8-7 lead at halftime before the wheels came off of Hanover after the break. Hanover looks to get back on track at Souhegan on Friday night.
PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — Molly Smith scored a pair of goals as the Raiders (9-1-2) shut out the Cougars on the road.
Kenzie Ray scored the other Lebanon goal. Ray and Sally Tretter each had assists. Coach Amanda Valliere praised the play of Mikayla Thornton and Amalia Hickey.
The Raiders close the regular season this week with home games against Pembroke on Tuesday and Plymouth on Thursday.
WEST CANAAN — Ann Buffington and Mackenzie Labore each scored for Mascoma (2-10-0).
“We had a strong team performance today because we were mentally and physically firing on all cylinders,” Mascona coach Jenn Hammond said.
Kylie Rogers and Carmen Zani had assists for the Royals. Hammond extolled the defensive work of goalie Emilie Conrad (six saves) along with Zoe Barrett, Hailey Miller and Jillian Ballou.
Mascoma visits Kearsarge on Tuesday.
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. — The Yellowjackets (7-3-1) went on the road and shut out the Colonels.
Gabriella Gilbert scored in the second quarter for Windsor. Peyton Richardson had the assist. Windsor controlled play for long stretches, holding a 23-2 edge in corners over Brattleboro.
“When everyone can contribute to the end result, it feels good as a coach. The girls are coming together and playing as a team,” Jacks coach Jody Wood said.
Wood credited Amber Simonds and Alexina Peckinpaugh for their play keeping the action in the Brattleboro zone for long stretches. Lindsey Young made four saves for the shutout in goal. Windsor visits Fair Haven on Wednesday.
MILFORD, N.H. — Hanover lost in straight sets, 25-6, 25-12, 25-7.
Hanover hosts both Fall Mountain and Winnisquam this coming week, beginning with a visit by the Wildcats on Tuesday.