WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — The Hartford High Hurricanes had contributions from just about everyone in an 8-0 rout of the Woodstock Wasps on Thursday at Maxfield Sports Complex.
Junior Liam Applebee led the way for the Hurricanes, scoring twice in a game that featured seven different Hartford goal scorers.
“Today was a really good game for us,” Hartford head coach Connor Brooks said. His team was coming off a 3-0 loss to Brattleboro on Saturday. “We’ve had a few days of prep, changed some things, got our mindset back right.”
Woodstock was able to hang around for much of the first half. But the Wasps were dealt a significant blow when senior goalkeeper Owen Whalen exited with an injury.
Hartford broke through with just under 19 minutes remaining in the first half on a shot from junior Nunu Mayer.
“It was a little slow to start, but we were doing the right things,” Brooks said. “We just didn’t have the final pass and the final shot, and then we finally got there.”
The Hurricanes added their second goal 10 minutes later on a hustle play from senior Jason Kelly, who tracked down a loose ball and put it in the net.
They struck twice more before halftime on goals from freshmen Ezra Tane and Greyson Sinclair, both off failed clearances by the Wasps on corner kicks.
Leading 4-0 at the break, Hartford kept its foot on the gas in the second half. Juniors Colin Morlock and Jackson Hessler each scored, and Applebee added two more to complete the 8-0 victory.
“I think it makes us harder to defend because they can’t key in on one or two guys,” Brooks said of his team’s offensive balance. “It just makes us deeper and more dangerous in attack.”
The loss dropped Woodstock to 1-8 and 14th in the VPA Division III rankings.
“As soon as we go down, there’s a mentality block that says to the boys, ‘Oh, here we go again,’ and it’s really difficult to overcome,” Woodstock head coach Alex Montano said.
Montano added that his team’s play in practice doesn’t always translate to games. “If you saw us at practice, you’d think we’d be even with these guys,” he said. “That’s our biggest problem right now — just translating good practice into an actual game.”
With the win, Hartford improved to 5-2-1 and sits sixth in the Division II standings.
As the regular season winds down, Brooks said he sees steady growth from his young squad.
“We’re at the point this year where, defensively, I think we’re quite sound,” Brooks said. “We’re still working on the offensive piece, attacking in the final third, but naturally, as it is at all levels of soccer, that’s usually the last piece to come.”
On Saturday, Woodstock will look to snap its skid at Springfield, while Hartford will try for its second straight win when it hosts Stratton Mountain.
