South Royalton
The victory was the third straight for the Raptors (7-6), while the loss dropped the Royals to 4-8. For visiting Rivendell, it marks another step in the process of improving on both ends of the field as the season goes on.
“We controlled the middle of the field, which we’ve been working very hard on,” Raptors coach Tim Goodwin said. “I’m really proud of the kids. They’ve worked really hard to get here, and they’re playing really well.”
South Royalton’s leading scorer, Bailey Wing, struck in the 11th minute to put the Royals in front, netting her eighth goal of the season. Sienna Carter led the Raptors’ attack with two goals and an assist. Mikayla DeBois scored and had an assist, and Jessica Noyes added an assist for the visitors.
Rivendell defender Thessalie Butler drew the assignment of marking Wing in an effort to limit the Royals, and she drew praise from Goodwin for her effort.
“She really did a good job on her, did an amazing job blocking her one-on-one and keeping her out of the game for the most part after that early shot,” the coach said.
Keeper Shaunna Simmons made two saves for the Raptors. Rivendell’s late-season charge up the Vermont Division III standings makes its next stop with a trip to Blue Mountain on Saturday to close the regular season.
South Royalton visits Sharon on Saturday.
Fair Haven, Vt.
Alexa Tsouknakis scored the first of the two Woodstock match-savers when she netted the game-tying goal with one second left in regulation. Momentum now on the Wasps’ side, Dieffenbach added the game-winner in overtime to stun the Slaters.
Addie Gray scored in the first half for the Wasps, and keeper Brittany Poljacik made nine saves. Coach Greg LaBella praised the play of Sarah Findeisen, Hannah Milstone, Emma Maiden, Olivia Marsicovetere and Madison Moore.
Woodstock finishes the regular season at 7-6-1 and looks ahead to the Vermont D-II playoffs.
Bethel
Keeper Krista Townsend made 10 saves for Whitchester, which now awaits seeding for the Vermont D-IV playoffs.
Litchfield, n.h.
“It’s unfortunate not to get at least a tie, but I’m really proud of how the girls competed and put forth a tremendous effort. It didn’t end the way we wanted, but the girls worked really hard,” Newport coach Jon Hamel said.
South Royalton
Lucas DeSouza and Robert Burgwedel each scored a pair of goals to lead streaking Rivendell (9-4) over the shorthanded Royals (7-6). DeSouza, Charlie Bradley and Zach Gould each picked up assists.
Coach Bob Thatcher praised the play of Collin Gould in the midfield, along with the continued strong work of the back line, featuring Chris Gendron, Wiatt Suich, Max Haehnel and Griffin Formica. Keeper Dashiel Fukushima made five saves for the shutout.
South Royalton has been hurt by a rash of injuries and was playing without five starters and with two eighth-graders. Nicholas Howe, normally a forward, was pressed into duty at goalie and made nine saves.
Both teams close the regular season on Saturday, when Rivendell visits Blue Mountain and SoRo is at Sharon.
Bethel
Zak Gillette scored in the 16th minute to give Whitchester an early lead. Keeper Isaac Hodgdon made four saves. The Mountaineers now await seeding in the upcoming Vermont D-IV playoffs.
Claremont
Stevens lost its season opener, 3-0, to would-be top seed Derryfield (13-1) and then won the next 14 games before falling in its season finale to the Hawks.
Woodstock
Doton answered an early Mount Anthony goal with an unassisted strike to knot the score at 1-1 heading into halftime. Woodstock then scored two goals in the five minutes of the second half to pull ahead for good.
“We picked up the intensity with about 10 minutes left in the first half and came out in the second fired up and ready to go,” Woodstock coach Annie Doton said.
Miranda Johnson scored the go-ahead goal for the Wasps, converting on a feed from Mariah Luce. Lily Doton soon added an insurance goal with an assist to Loretta Blakeney.
Goalie Molly Henne had one save for Woodstock (8-4-1), which closes the regular season at Otter Valley on Saturday.
North Conway, n.h.
“Kennett is a great team,” Hanover coach Jean Essex said. “We pushed them as hard as we could. It’s a great effort by our team. While it’s disappointing, it was a great game and we’re all very proud of the way we played.”
Hanover will graduate seniors Mae Butler, Sophie Cardenali, Johanna Copeland and Allyce Good. “I can’t say enough about how the seniors led this young team and how they brought along the freshmen, sophomores and new juniors,” Essex said.
Cardenali finished with eight saves in goal for Hanover, which ends the season at 6-9.
Castleton, Vt.
The North team will be coached by Milton’s Drew Gordon. Bellows Falls’ Bob Lockerby will lead a South team featuring 10 players from Upper Valley schools.
Hartford sends five players, with Matthew Lucke, Brett MacLaren, Brian Moran, Bailey Nott and Khant Thu selected. Woodstock will be represented by Dan Robinson, Cole Westcott and Bill Wood. Oxbow’s Jake Stimson and Windsor’s Hunter Patenaude round out the area contingent.
Philadelphia
Grabill defeated Binghamton’s Ludovico Cestarollo in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Glasnovic fell in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Grabill advanced to the second round but lost to Quinnipiac’s Freddie Zaretsky, 6-3, 6-3, to fall one spot short of qualifying for the main singles draw.
The Big Green competes today in the start of the main singles and doubles draws.