Lax Teams Impress
A Mixed Ending
June 6, 2010~The lacrosse teams concluded their seasons this week, as both fell in their quarter-final games. They started the playoffs on a high note on Wednesday, though, as both teams hosted opening round games under brilliant sunny skies.
The ladies took on a new foe, the Galloping Ghosts of Randolph, despite being short handed due to the seniors’ absence. They had a close match early on, and things stood at 2-2 early in the match. The hosts took the lead to 9-5 at the half, then blew things open to take a 17-11 lead late in the game. The final score of 17-14 belied the control GMVS held, and was a satisfying number to leave up on the scoreboard. The scoring parade was led by Haleigh Carbone ’11 and Susan Campbell ’12, who each tallied 4 goals on the day. Kelly Glander ’13 had a hat trick, as did Dani LeBlanc ’12, while Olivia Frank ‘13, Maddie Leopold ‘12, and Lainey Curtis ‘13 had single goals. In goal, Hannah Kadah withstood the pressure, turning away 18 shots.
With the win, the team earned a quarterfinal berth at reigning champion and undefeated power Chelsea. The weather forecast called for tornados, of all things, but the only ‘Wirbelsturm’ came in the form of the unrelenting Chelsea offense, which kept the pressure on all game to win 20-4. Despite the result, there were several high points for GMVS, including two goals by Haleigh Carbone. Single tallies were recorded by Susan Campbell and Dani LeBlanc, while Hannah Kadah stood up strong against the withering Red Devil shooters, turning away 11 shots.
The team finished with a 6-6 record. The season highlights are most certainly the 3-game winning streak to close out the regular season, the overtime win against Oxbow, and the playoff win at home. The decision by the team to continue to playoffs, despite being without the strong leadership and skills of the seniors, was impressive, and shows great determination and fire. Great job, ladies!
In retrospect, I can’t sum things up better than coach Kari Dolan did in an email to the team this morning:
Well, yes it was a tough one yesterday. We played arguably the best team in the quarterfinals of the Vermont State Tournament. Chelsea's a team that had at least 6 players selected for All State recognition, including their goalie, who was unanimously selected as the First Team All-State goalie. It was a team that had plenty of subs and a home game in a town that has collectively chosen girls’ lacrosse to be their community pride and joy. Did I mention that they either won or were runners up for the state championship 7 times over the past 8 years???
We were lean, without a sub; we were taped, iced, bandaged, and wrapped to keep various ailments in check; we were young, sporting some gung-ho 8th-graders and no seniors. Okay, so we lost. No real surprises there. But look what we achieved, look what we gained. First, you could have opted to finish the season a week or so ago after the Sharon game. No. You wanted more. You were willing to go for it. You showed true grit. We went on to beat Randolph soundly--playing with such teamwork--and made it to the second round.
Audrey and I are so amazed at the Young Gumbies' gumption and true grit at yesterday's game the first tournament game, and really the whole season! We are very proud of all of you!!! Nice season, everyone!!!
The boys opened the playoffs on the upper field on Wednesday against the Otters of otter Valley, and promptly jumped out to a big lead early on. As stifling defense, led by 19 saves from goalie Dan Bell ’11 (back from 3 weeks out due to injury) kept the Otter shooters at bay, and the GMVS attack found the net with ease. The scoring was led by hat tricks by Sandy Vietze ’11 and Sam Worley ’13, while Hans Halvorsen ’12 and Mitch Grimmer ’12 each had a pair of goals. Tomek Dobrzanski ’11 and Drew Duffy ’13 also scored, while 8th-grader Tanner McGrath nearly jumped out of his shoes after scoring his first goal last in the game. The final score of 13-5 sealed the first-ever playoff win for GMVS!
Saturday brought a trip to East Montpelier for a tilt with a strong U-32 squad. The hosts jumped out to a 4-0 lead against a small GMVS team (U-32 dressed well over 20 players) early in the second quarter. The boys in green showed no desire to give up, and thanks to 3 quick goals by Hans Halvorsen and one by Sam Worley, the teams stood knotted at 4-4 at the half. The U-32 team was not to be denied on their home turf, though, and despite a second-half goal by Drew Duffy, the Raiders ground down GMVS on the way to the 10-5 win. Dan Bell was impressive ‘between the pipes’, as he stiffed the U-32 shooters on 23 occasions. For the whole scoop, visit the Times Argus.
The team’s final record of 9-4 is the best in our history (as far as I can find…) and the team turned some heads and has a reputation for great goalkeeping (Bell and Jon Gonin ’11), powerful shooters (Halvorsen, Vietze, et al) and a very strong cadre of defenders (Gonin, Nick Post ’13, Danny Duffy ’12, and Tristan Palola ’12). Couple that with the youth of the squad in general (not to mention the great coaching of Sam Jackson and his corps of assistants, and things look great for next year!