Highlanders earn 1-0 win
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Harwood's Sarah Moore launches a shot on goal past Northfield's Mary DeFelice during the first half of Wednesday's game in Duxbury. The Highlanders won 1-0. KYLE MARTEL/TIMES ARGUS |
Toolbox
By KRIS MARTIN CORRESPONDENT - Published: October 22, 2009
DUXBURY – It was Senior Day for the Harwood girls soccer team, but it was junior Ashlyn Raymond who provided the difference to propel the Highlanders past Northfield 1-0.
Raymond was literally playing with her head up and redirected senior Julienne Vergura's shot attempt past Northfield keeper Kristi Luce for the game's only score in the 33rd minute.
"It was great to finally score a varsity goal; it was really exciting," Raymond said. "Doing it for the seniors really pumped my energy up for the rest of the game. Jules went to shoot, and I was standing there wondering if I should let it go, so I just bent down to let it go, but then at the last second I was like, 'OK', and lightly headed it. It was a good thing."
For the first half the Highlanders controlled much of the possession at midfield and managed to stay on the attack, peppering Luce in goal.
"Harwood is fast and quick, well-skilled and well coached," Marauder coach John Diebold said. "We knew what we were coming into, and in the first half I think the girls were a bit overwhelmed. At halftime we looked a bit deflated. We practiced hard, and we knew what kind of game we were coming into and we couldn't sit back and let them run over us. Mentally we had to stay in the game."
Halfway through the second half the Marauders made a bid for the tie. Freshman Elena Van Arnam got a good look at net, as did senior Mary DeFelice, but the Harwood defense proved to be tough to beat.
"I thought we possessed most of the second half and continued to create chances," Harwood coach Jon Hammond. "We talked about playing this game with a playoff atmosphere. We got a little pressured late, and need to work on that, and (Northfield's) goalie was really cool under pressure."
Luce turned away 16 Harwood shots. Her effort was not lost on her coach either.
"Hats off to the Harwood defense, they don't let you get to their goalie," Diebold said. "Kristi Luce is a phenomenal athlete, one of the better skill players out there but fortunately she likes to play goal."
As the regular season comes down the stretch headed toward the playoffs, coaches are looking for players to step up their game and start earning time on the field with solid performances. Sometimes roles won't change, but when the opportunity to play a bigger part in team success emerges, it's a chance to make an impression.
"At first it was intimidating," Raymond said of the varsity experience. "But the more I received playing time, the more secure I felt with being here. This team is like a big family and we all care about each other."
The Highlanders (8-4-1) will face Stowe next, with the Marauders (5-5-3) welcoming Spaulding.
Harwood 1, Northfield 0
Goals: H – Ashlyn Raymond, 33rd minute. Starters: H – Sarah Moore, Julienne Vergura, Caroline Dillon, Katie Johnson, Chelsea Alexander, Liza Mackey, Paige Cleary, Anna Hofmann, Kelsey Remick, Ariel Goodman, Taylor Burdett. N – Kristi Luce, Erin Connor, Elena Van Arnam, Emily Fish, Kelly McLellan, Taylor Marcotte, Kelsey Langley, Mary DeFelice, Lindsey Hunt, Meghan McMullen, Melissa Kelsey. Shots (on goal): H – 28 (16), N – 3 (0). Corner kicks: H – 4, N – 0. Penalties: H – 3, N – 3.
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