Hoosac Valley Girls Double Up Lee
LEE, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley girls soccer team got an early bus ride to Lee on Saturday.
And the Hurricanes continued the theme with early goals in the first and second halves on the way to a 4-2 win over the Wildcats.
Hoosac (3-8-1) scored twice in the first 16 minutes of the first half and twice more in the first five minutes of the second to lead by as many as three goals en route to its first win in nearly a month.
"We were adhering to the game plan," said coach Mark Zaija, filling in for Hoosac varsity coach Kath Budaj, who had a prior commitment and could not make the 10 a.m. game.
"We haven't notched a win in a while, so I think they were really eager. And I think coming out the second half it was the same thing -- reinforcing that we have to do all the little things to be successful."
Madi Ryan started the scoring about 15 minutes in. She took a cross from Ellie Field and launched a left-footed shot from the top of the 18 over the hands of Lee keeper Brianna Hawley (10 saves) and into the top corner of the goal.
About a minute later, Hoosac's Carah Cote knocked home a rebound off the crossbar to make it 2-0.
In the 26th minute, Lee got its first goal off a set piece.
Cara Walker started the play with a corner kick from the left wing. Karli Retzel was there to finish in goal box, knocking one past Hoosac's Kelsey Bulson (four saves).
Lee (7-4-2) went to the break down a goal and facing the prospect of its second straight loss -- but also realistic about its prospects on a day when injuries left the Wildcats short-handed.
"I think we did really well with who we had on the field," Lee coach Lauren Finnegan said. "We have girls who we kept out -- starters who aren't playing, just to get them healthy for the end of the season.
"Putting them in this game, when they're not 100 percent, possibly hurting us more, is going to hurt us in the long run. We knew coming in we were going to be down four starters and one of my major subs, who is first off the bench. ... Playing them 4-2 -- when I have a JV player starting and playing 90 percent of the game who has never played with us before -- I'll take that."
Hoosac came out strong out of half-time and stretchd its lead when Ryan's free kick from the left wing was misplayed in the box, allowing Olivia Bresett to get an open shot to make it 3-1.
Moments later, Ryan sent Cote on a through ball, and the junior made a strong run into the 18 and went far post to give the 'Canes a three-goal lead.
In the 50th minute, Lee cashed in on a restart for the second time. This time, Walker took a free kick from about 35 yards and put a ball on frame that deflected in off Bulson's fingertips to provide the final margin.
Hoosac, which scored four goals for the first time since a 7-0 win evened the Canes' record at 2-2 back on Sept. 21, will look for its first two-game winning streak on Monday at Monson.
Lee will look to snap its second two-game losing streak of the year on Tuesday when it hosts Lenox in a battle that likely will decide the Berkshire South title. Last month in Lenox, the Wildcats and Millionaires battled to a 4-4 tie.
Finnegan said she did not know who would be back in the lineup on Tuesday afternoon. But she was sure how she would go about making that decision.
"If we can get them 100 percent healthy, I think it will be a great game again," she said. "I think we're in a great position for the end of the year anyways. ... I have to think about the kids' health first. I never want to put someone in jeopardy just to win a game. I will play who is healthy on Tuesday, and if they're not healthy, we'll do what we did today and play with who we've got."