Hurricanes' Offense Overwhelms Wildcats
LEE, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley girls' soccer team held a slight 15-13 edge in shots against Lee on Friday, but the Hurricanes finished well throughout the game on their way to a 4-1 win on the road.It was the third win in a row for Hoosac, which outscored its opponents 11-2 in three games this week. Blair Mahar's club also stayed even with Mount Greylock in the South Division standings, setting the stage for a winner-take-all matchup at 12 p.m. at home on Saturday.
"Lee played an aggressive game," Mahar said. "They were beating us to nearly every 50/50 ball. We responded by playing a nicer possesion game, however, making faster passes, faster runs and playing nice, crisp possession soccer. That turned the tables on Lee."
The game was scoreless for most of the first half until the Hurricanes got a forunate bounce in the 31st minute of play. Sophomore defender Cali Romaniak netted her first goal of the season when her corner kick bounced off of a Wildcats' player and found the back of the net. Senior Danielle Beauchemin then scored off of a pass from junior Megan Rodowicz six minutes later, giving Hoosac a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The 'Canes (11-3) increased their lead three minutes into the second half when Rodowicz took a through ball from junior Jennifer Gale and scored with a nice shot from a tough angle. A pair of underclassmen hooked up for Hoosac's fouth goal, as freshman Jasmine Knapp set up sophmore Marissa Felter for her fifth goal of the year with 12 minutes left to play.
Megan Gaul got the hosts on the board three minutes later, breaking up the shutout attempt by Hoosac goalie Megan Richardson. The sophomore keeper finished with 11 saves on the day, while Lee counterpart Sara Middleton was close behind with nine stops.
The Wildcats next play at Wahconah at 5 p.m. on Sunday.