middlelevelgirlssoccerresults2004

Saturday October 23
Today was the season finale for the 7th/8th grade team as they played in a single-elimination "jamboree" tournament hosted by Stowe, with teams from Lamoille Union and Crossett Brook rounding out the 4-team field. In the 10:00 opener Stowe beat Crossett Brook 2-0 to earn a spot in the championship game. The 11:00 game pitted the Lady Wolves against the Lady Lancers from Lamoille. The first goal came quickly in this game when at the 4 minute mark P.A. center forward Lucia Sforza stripped the ball from a Lamoille defender who was attempting to clear. Lucia got through 2 other defenders on the dribble and then easily beat the goalie from 10 yards with a blistering shot to the upper 90. Lamoille never really mounted much of an attack as the Wolves put on a ball control clinic for the rest of the game. The 1-0 victory against Lamoille put Peoples in the 1:00 final against Stowe. Unfortunately the Raiders started quickly in this game and scored twice for a 2-0 halftime lead. But the Wolves rallied and held Stowe scoreless for the second half as they got their game back together. Amber McCullock turned in another stellar performance in goal. Peoples finally got on the board with 10 minutes remaining in the game on a restart after a foul by a Stowe defender. Ekta Sampson took the indirect kick from 20 yards and drilled a high shot that proved too hot to handle for the Stowe keeper and found the back of the net. Peoples kept up the pressure for the remainder of the game as Stowe barely hung on for the 2-1 victory.

Wednesday October 20
Two days later the Hazen Wildcats hosted Peoples Academy Wolves for the rematch. Both teams were extremely hungry for the victory. The Lady Wolves struck first when midway through the first half forward Chelsea Hostetter followed her line-mate Danielle Ferrante's shot from 6 yards out and was able to put the rebound away for a goal. This seemed to inspire the Wildcats as their attack was relentless for the rest of the half. Solid defense from P.A. backs Silene Deciucies, Nicole West, and sweeper Rachel Long preserved the P.A. lead going into halftime. The second half featured some great end to end play with outside midfielders Lizzie Bousquet and Tia Tallman turning in great efforts. But Hazen did not give up and with 5 minutes remaining in the second half they scored to tie the game. The remainder of regulation time and both 10 minute overtimes were literally a frenzy as both teams were determined to try and score to seal (or steal) the victory. But it was not to be: the game ended in another double overtime tie (deja vu all over again!), this time with the score knotted at one goal apiece.

Monday October 18
The 7th/8th grade team hosted Hazen on a clear and cold day. It was a great day for a soccer game and it was obvious that both Wolves and the Wildcats came to play. These two teams were very well matched and in spite of some great scoring chances neither team was able to put the ball in the back of the net. Devaney Cote had the best chance of the day for the Wolves when she took a great pass from Megan LaCasse and fired a hard shot from 20 yards that clanged off the crossbar. Tasha Baker played great defense for P.A. and was able to turn back several dangerous rushes by the Hazen attack when she stripped and cleared the ball to her midfielders. P.A. Goalie Amber McCullock made several key saves to preserve the 0-0 double overtime tie.

Saturday October 16
Both teams traveled to Lamoille Union today for a "double-elimination" tournament. The 6th/7th grade team played valiantly in losses against Stowe in their first game and Lamoille in their second. Jillian Stein asserted herself all over the field. This is a player to watch in the future. Sarah Handrahan, Sadie Moody, and Elaina LeFevre also worked hard for Peoples.

The 7th/8th grade team fared better in the tournament. In game #1 against Milton, People's attacker Danielle Ferrante scored the game winner from 15 yards on a beautiful shot to the upper corner of the net. Final score: P.A. 1, Milton zero. In game #2 the Wolves came up against their toughest opponent of the year: Montpelier. This team had size, skill, and great coaching. Montpelier opened the scoring early when their relentless attack broke through and put away a rebound for a 1-0 lead. P.A. tied the score 10 minutes later when center midfielder Devaney Cote settled a loose ball and served it forward to striker Mariah Bradley. Mariah beat two defenders and hit a high arcing shot from 18 yards that easily beat the Montpelier keeper. Montpelier answered quickly with 2 more goals to seal their 3-1 victory. P.A. was down but not out. In game #3 against Lamoille the Wolves came out howling. This game was a clinic in position play and great defense. After 15 scoreless minutes the People's midfielders were able to feed the ball forward to a streaking Chelsea Hostetter on the right wing. Chelsea continued on a dead run and drilled a hard shot over the head of the Lamoille keeper for a 1-0 lead. The Lancers had a run or two of their own, and a few minutes later they were able to penetrate the P.A. defense to tie the score. This seemed only to fire up the Wolves and - deja vu - midfielder Anna McCormick set Hostetter up again with the same result: a rocket shot off a dead run for goal #2! Final score: Peoples 2, Lamoille 1. More importantly this result set up a rematch against Montpelier for a chance at the tournament championship. The double-elimination tournament format put the team on the field for their third consecutive 45 minute game, but the girls rose to the challenge and played their best soccer of the day
- and the season - in spite of their fatigue. When midfielder Abby Sherman served the ball in from 25 yards on a restart her high arcing shot (or was it supposed to be a pass?) went over the Montpelier keeper's head and Peoples was ahead 1-0. Montpelier answered 10 minutes later to tie the game at one goal apiece. With the trophy on the line the Wolves had their hands full for the rest of the game as the Montpelier attack came in wave after wave. But superb efforts on defense by Ekta Sampson, the two Sara(h)'s (Guillot and Dolan), sweeper Rachel Long, and especially keeper Amber McCullock brought the game to an end with the score tied. After 5 more minutes of high-intensity sudden death overtime the game would be decided on penalty kicks. In the P.K round Montpelier prevailed 4-3 for the championship. WHEW! What a day, and what a team this bunch of girls from Peoples has become!

Friday October 15
The teams gathered after practice today for a spaghetti dinner and awards ceremony. Awards were presented to all the 8th grade players as follows:

Most Improved Players: Lizzie Bousquet, Tia Tallman
Quiet Hero Awards: Jordan Billings, Sara Dolan, Betsy Paige Tenacious Defense Award: Rachel Long Tenacious Offense Awards: Danielle Ferrante, Lucia Sforza Most Valuable Players: Sarah Guillot, Ekta Sampson

Coach Spalding commented on the hard work of all of these players and everyone wished them well in their future soccer careers at Peoples Academy High School. The team enjoyed a great dinner with fantastic desserts served by Vicki Cote, Elaine & John Guillot, Bonnie Tallman. Thank you to all the parents who contributed their time and/or a food item for the team.

Wednesday October 13
P.A. put together a team of 9 boys and 9 girls to face off against Bishop Marshall School's co-ed team at home today. With 2 very talented goalkeepers on hand to share goalkeeping duties for P.A. it was only fitting that each one was able to score for the Wolves. With only 5 minutes gone the girls keeper Amber McCullock, playing left offense for P.A., scored on a rebound from 5 yards out after Chelsea Hostetter hit a beatiful crossing pass from the right corner to Lucas Fitzgerald. Lucas's point blank shot deflected off the BMS keeper, and Amber did the rest. James Caldwell scored late in the first half, also on an assist from Hostetter. The boys keeper Wyatt Shane, taking his turn on offense in the second half, was relentless on the attack and scored an unassisted goal from 12 yards to seal the victory for the Wolves. The P.A. defense, anchored by Cody Trombley and Rachel Long, was nearly unbeatable. On the few chances that BMS had Wolve's keepers Shane and McCullock were right there to make the saves. Final
score: People's 3, BMS zero. Coaches Todd Darrow and Will Spalding were extremely pleased with the quality of play given that the group had only one practice together prior to the game.

Monday October 11
All the girls traveled to U-32 today for a doubleheader. Both games could be described as "pitcher's duels", ending in scoreless ties.

The 6th/7th grade team came alive for this game, their best since they tied Lamoille last month. Midfielders Sadie Moody and Silene Deciucies controlled the ball effectively, feeding the offense beautifully. Defensive backs Lorabeth Spaulding and Tasha Baker outhustled the U-32 offense all day long. Keeper Eliza Spalding foiled U-32's best scoring chance when she saved a penalty kick late in the game to preserve the tie for the Wolves.

Even though the 7th/8th grade team dominated their opponents for 60 minutes the U-32 keeper kept her team in the game. Dana Bourne played a great game at offense and along with her line-mates Lucia Sforza and Mariah Bradley created some great scoring chances for the Wolves. Final score: 0-0.

Thursday October 7
Both teams headed to Stowe for the much anticipated rematch. The 6th/7th grade team started strong but Stowe steadily gained momentum and scored first at the 10 minute mark. The Raiders tallied again five minutes later. Then P.A. attacker Megan LaCasse found some space and carried the ball in from midfield, beating several Stowe defenders. She made a beautiful high shot from 15 yards that easily beat the keeper and P.A. was finally on the board. Stowe scored four more times in the second half in spite of great efforts by Brittany Prouty and Bronwyn Case. Final score: Stowe 6, P.A. 1.

The 7th/8th grade team kept the score closer in their game, but was unable to beat the Stowe defense. Amber McCullock was superb in goal with over a dozen saves, but the relentless Stowe attack scored 3 times and shut out the Wolves 3-0.

Monday October 4
The 6th/7th grade team traveled to Danville today and held their own in a loss to an older, more experienced team. Alysha Jones, Naomi Paige, and Caitlin Duffy teamed up for some great chances on offense, Caroline Wells had a great game at midfield, and Eliza Spalding made some great saves in goal for the Wolves. Final score: Danville 3, P.A. zero.

Saturday October 2
The Wolves 7th/8th grade team faced Barre today as part of Homecoming festivities. The slogan on the team float (driven by Min Cote and ecorated by the team) in Friday evening's Homecoming Parade was "Bury Barre" and Peoples succeeded with a 2-0 victory. Center midfielder Abby Sherman scored the game winner 10 minutes into the first half off a restart from 25 yards when her shot proved too hot to handle for the Barre keeper. Forward Devaney Cote added one more goal for insurance about five minutes later on a beautiful assist from her line-mate Danielle Ferrante. The P.A. squad spent the rest of the game putting on a passing clinic, featuring textbook "give-and-go's". The Barre attack was no match for the Wolves stingy defensive core of Rachel Long, Ekta Sampson, and the two Sara(h)s (Guillot & Dolan).

Harwood Union was the second school from the Mad River area to come to Morrisville and test the People's teams this week.

Tuesday Sept. 28
Both the 6th/7th and the 7th/8th grade teams faced tough opponents from Crosset Brook Middle School (Duxbury) today. The P.A. 6th/7th team played hard but the Crosset Brook squad exhibited a great passing game and super position play and shut out the Wolves. Final score: Crosset Brook 4, Wolves zero.

Saturday Sept. 25
Both girls teams traveled to Lamoille Union to play during their annual Homecoming weekend festivities and renew the perennial cross-town rivalry.

The 6th/7th grade team lacked the size of the Lamoille team, but they more than made up for it with speed and skill. The girls also showed great poise as they were unfazed by an extremely loud group of Lamoille supporters in the bleachers. The Lamoille offense could not beat sweeper Jillian Stein. Midfielders Katelyn Dewey and Hilary Kapusta had a super game, as did defenders Skye Ferland and Elaina LeFevre. Stopper Nicole West, center midfielder Silene Deciucies, and center forward Megan LaCasse were all solid up the middle. Goalkeeper Chelsea Hostetter shut down several Lamoille attackers with great saves. The last 5 minutes of the game saw great end to end action as both teams were in a frezy to try and break the scoreless tie, but the end result was a 0-0 tie.

The 7th/8th grade game started just as a downpour began, and amid the confusion Lamoille got a quick goal to take an early lead. Conditions were fast throughout the game, although the rain eventually tapered to a sprinkle. Lamoille put another goal in and had a 2 goal lead at the half. P.A. started the second half strong. Forwards Hostetter and Amber McCullock had several great breakaways but were foiled by the Lamoille keeper every time. Midfielders Abby Sherman and Anna McCormick had great games. The final result of 4-0 in favor of Lamoille did not reflect the fact that the Wolves outplayed the Lancers for much of the game.

The 6th/7th team was clearly overmatched as the Stowe team scored many goals. But the Lady Wolves persevered until the end and were able to avoid a shutout when center midfielder Alyssa Jones scored on an assist from Dana Bourne with 2 minutes left in the game. Megan Lacasse worked hard throughout the game at forward and had several breakaways.

Final score: Stowe 9, P.A. 1.

The 7th/8th team kept it close until the end in a great game. In spite of solid defense from outside backs Betsy Paige and Jordan Billings, Stowe netted their first goal with 10 minutes to go in the first half. P.A. came out after halftime with renewed energy and dominated play, keeping the ball in the Stowe end. Chelsea Hostetter almost tied the game when she broke free and struck a fantastic left-footed shot, but the Stowe keeper made the save. Shannon McDowell and Danielle Ferrante played very effectively at the center midfield position and each had several good scoring chances. But Stowe was able to regroup and took control. Amber McCullock had a stellar game in goal. She made 4 great saves to keep P.A. in the game, but the Stowe onslaught continued and they netted another goal with 5 minutes left for a 2-0 lead. P.A. did not give up and kept the ball in the Stowe end until the final whistle but could not find the back of the net. The team is looking forward to the rematch in Stowe on October 7.

The 7th/8th grade girls team only needed one goal to win their first game of the season today against Danville at home. P.A.'s dominance throughout the game was not reflected in the final score of 1-0. Erin Nichols netted the game winner midway through the second half with a hard-earned goal from the 6-yard line on an assist from Devaney Cote. Amber McCullock narrowly missed a goal in the first half on a high-arcing shot from 20 yards that clanged off the crossbar. Lucia Sforza also had several good scoring chances due to her hard work throughout the game at center forward. Great defensive efforts from Lizzie Bousquet, the two Sara(h)s (Guillot and Dolan), Ekta Sampson, and sweeper Rachel Long kept P.A. goalkeepers McCullock and Chelsea Hostetter fighting off boredom for most of the game. Balance ruled the day as the whole team worked very effectively together to press the ball forward to the offensive end. Both 6th/7th and 7th/8th grade teams will be tested on Wednesday afternoon at home against Stowe.