Orford
The Raptors’ senior goalie finished with 19 saves as he nearly posted his second shutout in as many days. Rivendell defeated Twinfield, 6-0, in Wednesday’s soggy season opener at home.
“It got a little bit more sloppy, obviously, the touches got less controlled,” Fukushima said. “But we played a game in the rain (Wednesday), and we’ve been practicing in the rain a lot. … I’ve been playing goalie now for four years. I’m kind of used to it.”
When Thursday’s showers commenced a few moments before halftime, the hosts were already sitting on a 1-0 cushion, thanks to a perfectly executed set piece with 6:00 remaining in the half.
Rivendell defender Max Haehnel was designated to kick a ball that sat several yards short of midfield on the right side of the pitch, opposite the team benches. The junior defender launched a high-arcing, far-reaching strike to Zach Gould, who received the cross-field offering in full stride just inside the Panther 18 yard-line. Gould used a brilliant single touch to get past Thetford keeper Dan Wells.
A wet second half made for slower and choppier play, but it was no less physical. The rivalry between the academies was punctuated by a combination of aggressive play and hard tackles. In all, 10 fouls were called against Rivendell (2-0), while Thetford (0-1) was whistled for 11.
The Raptors continued to charge throughout the second half, showing no signs of playing cautiously to protect their lead.
An afternoon of extra efforts finally paid off for Rivendell striker Johnny Vogelien, who scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 47th minute.
Vogelien, a sophomore who scored two goals against Twinfield in the season opener, took a through pass from Francisco Indio. Indio delivered from the top of the box and Vogelien made a nice play out front, eluding the charging Wells, who was making his varsity debut).
“I thought he played really well,” Fukushima said of Vogelien. “He’s pesky, and he really knows how to play soccer.”
Thetford’s Nick Moses found the back of the net with 6:00 to play — one minute before Rivendell coach Bob Thatcher had planned on bringing a forward back to the midfield, shifting to a more defensive strategy. The 45th-year coach stuck to his planned adjustment, but only after the guests made it uncomfortably close in the end.
Thetford’s Dylan Thorburn set up Moses’ goal — Fukushima’s only blemish so far this season — with a blast that rebounded straight off the right post.
Although Thetford made a last-ditch effort for the equalizer, Panthers coach Mark Weigel felt his squad was outplayed.
“I thought Rivendell played hard and well for 80 minutes, and they outworked us,” Weigel said. “They won the battle of 50-50 balls, and it was hopefully an eye-opener.”
Thatcher referred to his team’s victory over TA as “a long time coming,” he said.
As for the last time the Raptors upended the Panthers: “I know we’ve beaten them since Rivendell (was formed in 2000), but I really can’t put my finger on it.
“Last year they beat us, 1-0, then 3-0 on our field. … I was really proud of the way we kept our composure after we gave up that one goal.”
Notes: Rivendell’s boys soccer team dropped down to Vermont Division IV from D-III prior to the season; Thetford remains D-III. … Many fans went scrambling at halftime for parkas and umbrellas, but the rain subsided with about 20 minutes left in the game. The combined scoreboard and clock, unfortunately, were packed away at the storm’s onset. … Owen Pelletier started up front and played most of the game against Thetford. The senior was a top receiver for Oxbow’s football team the last two seasons. Oxbow’s gridders are playing a a JV-only schedule this season. … Thetford will host Leland and Gray on Saturday for homecoming, and Rivendell returns to action Tuesday at Craftsbury.