Late Goal by Taconic Assures Tie with Hoosac
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- A late goal by Ari Cardillo prevented the Hoosac Valley girls' soccer team from winning its second straight game against a North Division opponent on Thursday. Led by second-half strikes from Danielle Beauchemin and Miranda Gajda, however, the Hurricanes were still able to earn a valuable point by earning a 2-2 draw with the Braves.Taconic opened the scoring in the 25th minute of the game when Eva Handerek finished off a pass from Marley Knysh. After a slow start, Hoosac (2-0-2) picked up its game in the second half. Beauchemin took a feed from freshman Marissa Felter and placed a shot past Braves' keeper Ashley McLaughlin. Five minutes later, Gajda gave the 'Canes the lead by scoring off a beautiful cross from sophomore Alyssa Bush.
"For the second time in as many games, we showed we can play with the North Division teams." Hoosac head coach Blair Mahar said. "We came out a little slow and flat during the first half but picked it up in the second and began making some nice combination play happen down the flanks. Danielle and Megan Rodowicz were solid in the middle, making plays happen in our offensive third, while also making defensive tracking runs when needed."
Cardillo came back to salvage the tie, however, by blasting a shot from over 20 yards out that just sailed over the fingertips of Hurricanes' goalie Megan Richardson (10 saves). Despite the late goal, Mahar was pleased with how his defense performed overall.
"We got strong play by Jess Gale and Mackenzie Robinson on defense, and Meagan also was key to stopping a strong Taconic offense," Mahar said. "Sweeper Courtney Hayer once again showed that she will be a dominant player this year. We got caught flat on one play and let a striker through with a one-on-one breakaway with Megan. Courtney tracked down the striker from behind, passing two of her own players on the way, to disrupt the play and save what was sure to be a goal."
Hoosac next hosts Lee at 6 p.m. on Monday night. The game will be played at Renfrew Field in Adams.