SOUTH ROYALTON — A three-goal lead on the road was just enough for the Thetford Academy girls soccer team.
The No. 10 seed Panthers (5-9-1) jumped out to a three-goal edge in the second half, then nearly let it slip away late before holding on to defeat No. 7 White River Valley, 3-2, on the road in the first round of the VPA Division III playoffs on Wednesday.
Senior striker Madi Powers had two goals and an assist to lead Thetford (5-9-1). Powers opened the scoring just five minutes into the game off an assist from junior midfielder Hannah Williams. She netted her second goal shortly after halftime, then assisted on the eventual game-winner. Junior defender Madi Mousley scored the Panthers’ third goal.
White River Valley (8-6-1) made a game of it in the final 20 minutes with goals by junior forwards Claire Allen and Jillian Barry, but Thetford freshman goalkeeper Heidi Hewes helped preserve her team’s victory with eight saves.
The Panthers advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday against either No. 2 seed Leland & Gray or No. 15 seed Winooski.
“We had one of our best games today,” Wildcats coach Kim Prestridge said, even in defeat. “We trapped them offside. Thetford gave up a lot of free kicks under our strong pressure. Our goals were from plays we’ve been working on — it was a pleasure to watch our team really play well.”
ORFORD — The No. 2 seed Raptors (10-4-1) opened what they hope will be a lengthy postseason run by blowing out the No. 15 seed Mountain Lions on home turf in the first round of the VPA Division IV playoffs.
Kylie Taylor scored the first two goals, Olivia Parker also netted a brace and Lea Matea and Ryleigh Butler also found the scoresheet. Rivendell outshot Long Trail, 22-4, with Savannah Gray making three saves for the Raptors, who were up 4-0 at halftime.
“We had a strong offensive day against a physical and hard-working Long Trail team,” Rivendell coach Tim Goodwin said. “We were able to figure out how to attack them. I’m excited for Lea to get her first varsity goal and how well the whole group played and adapted.”
The Raptors’ win was their seventh straight, and they’ve outscored their opposition, 30-3, during the streak. Rivendell will host No. 7 seed Poultney in the quarterfinals at 3 p.m. Saturday.
PLAINFIELD, Vt. — The No. 12 seed Phoenix (2-13-0) were shut out by the No. 5 seed Trojans to end their season in the opening round of the VPA Division IV playoffs.
Twinfield scored off a cross to the back post in the 20th minute to take the lead, then added a second before halftime. Two counterattack goals in the second half put things away.
“We played a decent game and were beaten by a good team,” Sharon coach Andy Ruddell said. “Twinfield is well-coached and plays quality soccer. I’m proud of the effort the team put forth; we just weren’t good enough on the day.”
The loss brought an end to the high school careers of Sharon’s four seniors — Mary Gage Donahue, Brandy Lewis, Hattie Byrne and Alix Livingston.
WOODSTOCK — The No. 2 seed Wasps (12-2-1) started slowly before breaking things open in the second half to rout the No. 15 seed Gumbies in the first round of the VPA Division II playoffs.
Hannah Reed helped account for all four goals, assisting on the first three and scoring herself in the final three minutes. Reed and Abi Masillo set up Kelly Jackson for the opener late in the first half.
In the second half, Reed fed River Miles and Izzy Konijnenberg to extend the Wasps’ lead before netting an unassisted goal to complete the scoring.
Thanks to the strong defensive play of Hannah Lockhart and Skylar Haley, Woodstock only faced one shot on goal, which Emma Tarleton saved cleanly.
The Wasps will host either No. 7 seed Missisquoi Valley or No. 10 seed Lamoille in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — The No. 13 seed Hurricanes (4-10-1) were dominated in a season-ending loss to the No. 4 seed Green Knights in the first round of the VPA Division II playoffs.
Rice had a balanced offensive attack, with five players finding the net. Cassie Beste scored the first goal 11 minutes into the game, with Claire Vincent and Berit Gross also scoring in the first half.
Laura Hoak and Keely Levering completed the rout with second-half goals. Vincent, Autumn Carstensen and Maddie Goddard each had an assist.
The scoreline could have been much worse for Hartford if not for goalkeeper Erin Thompson, who made 13 saves.
“I’m very proud of my team, and especially my 12 seniors who battled through a season they will never forget,” Hartford coach Jeff Acker said. “Their courage and toughness should be an inspiration to all of us.”
PORTSMOUTH — The No. 2 seed Clippers eliminated No. 15 seed Hanover (5-10-2) with a shutout win in the first round of the NHIAA Division I playoffs. Annie Parker scored the game’s lone goal.
Hanover coach Doug Kennedy praised the play of Noor van Aalst in the midfield and Skouly Kachikis and Elsa Bolinger on defense. HHS threatened for much of the first half, but a defensive miscue led to an easy goal by Parker with two minutes left until halftime.
It’s the end of the line for Hanover’s 11 seniors, including captains Caroline Adams, Bolinger and van Aalst.
LEBANON — The No. 7 seed Raiders (10-7-0) were upset by the No. 10 seed Pride on penalty kicks in the first round of the NHIAA Division II playoffs.
It was a revenge game of sorts for Merrimack Valley, which fell to Lebanon, 2-0, just last week. The Raiders outshot the Pride, 28-5, were held scoreless after Delaney Deshane found the net just four minutes into the game. Ella Longacre had the assist.
Merrimack Valley tied it shortly before halftime, and the score remained even through the second half and two extra periods. Maddie Newton made three saves for the Raiders, who fell 3-2 in the penalty shootout.
CLAREMONT — The No. 6 seed Cardinals (12-5-0) advanced past the No. 11 seed Cougars at Barnes Park to move onto the quarterfinals of the NHIAA Division II playoffs.
Stevens will travel to No. 3 seed Hollis-Brookline, which received a first-round bye, on Sunday at 2 p.m.
EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. — The No. 11 seed Hurricanes (6-8-1) were dismantled by the No. 6 seed Raiders to end their season in the first round of the VPA Division II tournament.
Sean Butler and Finn O’Donnell led the way for U-32, with Butler tallying two goals and an assist and O’Donnell also picking up a goal and an assist. Ben Clark also scored late in the game, as the Raiders put home two goals in the last 10 minutes to give themselves some breathing room.
Jacob Singelais made eight saves in net for Hartford, which went winless in its final six games.
“We didn’t lose today because we didn’t try or because we didn’t care,” Hartford coach Kevin Guilbault said. “We just couldn’t put things together in the offensive third of the field.”
WOODSTOCK — The No. 8 seed Wasps (8-7) scored one goal in each quarter in an easy win over the No. 9 seed Colonels in the opening round of the VPA Division II bracket.
Hannah Gubbins led the way for the hosts with two goals and an assist. She opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on an assist from Sophie Yates. Gubbins found Norah Harper for the Wasps’ second goal, then scored their third with Harper returning the favor.
Harper added her second assist on the final goal, this one going to Natalie Parent.
Audrey Emery had two saves for the Wasps, who had 15 penalty corners while conceding just two.
Woodstock will face top-seeded Mt. Abraham in the quarterfinals on Friday at 3:30 p.m.
DOVER, N.H. — Hanover (8-9) was eliminated in straight sets by the host Saints in the first round of the NHIAA Division II tournament. Sophomore Rosa Bradley and senior Esther Hacker each had three kills.
“It was a rough night across the board,” Hanover coach Megan McFarland said. “We knew going in that would need to bring our ‘A’ game and didn’t come out strong. All season we have shown glimmers of consistency but we struggled to maintain it.”