SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — Qualifying for VPA Division II girls soccer championship games has been a thing for Rice Memorial High for five years running. Winning them hasn’t been easy, however.
With goals from two players, a third with Woodstock help and a shutout effort from goalkeeper Sunshine Clark, the fourth-ranked Green Knights blanked the second-seeded Wasps, 3-0, in the D-II final at South Burlington High on Saturday. A finalist five years running, Rice (13-4-1) snagged its second title of the stretch.
The Wasps (14-3-1) had some good chances early on in but could not convert, bringing to a disappointing end a very successful season.
“This team just took one game at a time and built great confidence and unity,” Woodstock coach Greg LaBella said. “Twelve seniors graduate, but there is a solid foundation returning next season.”
Rice converted on a corner kick that was headed in by Laura Hoak shortly after Woodstock missed a great chance. Senior Hannah Reed’s shot hit the post and rolled along the goal line before being scooped up by Clark.
The Wasps continued to generate scoring chances with a three-striker formation, but Rice was also able to pressure Woodstock’s defenders and produced a second goal by Cassie Beste on a scramble in front.
Rice’s final conversion was an own goal when a clearing pass hit a Woodstock defender and rolled into the net. Woodstock keeper Emma Tarleton had 10 saves
“Emma was very active coming off of her line to stop several scoring threats by Rice,” LaBella said
Woodstock had its best season for goals scored as a team, and Reed finishing with 24 goals for the campaign and 42 for her career, both school records.
LaBella said the team’s tenacious defense and stellar goalkeeping by senior Tarleton (“She will be tough to replace”) produced a run of only two goals allowed over a 10-win streak before Saturday’s loss.
Woodstock graduates Reed, Tarleton, Skylar Haley, Kelly Jackson, Kellan Johannensen, Hannah Lockhart, Lara Tarleton, Zoe Wood, Abi Masillo, Keira Zayas, Bridget Martsolf-Tan and Meridian Joy-Piper.