Good Morning! With the Border Country Sports Blog, I'm Keith Harrington.
Locals Looking Forward to Girls Soccer Playoffs
Yesterday I happened to run into Poultney girls soccer goalie Kenzie Ezzo in the parking lot at Poulney Elementary School where the Blue Devils practice. Ezzo could hardly contain her excitement when I congratulated her on the Blue Devil's season and her personal success. Ezzo was brimming with confidence about Poultney making a deep playoff run.
The sophomore goalie has good reason to be fired up. The Blue Devils finished the season 7-6-1, their best season in recent memory and earned a home playoff game. The Blue Devils are the #7 seed and host #10 Richford on Wednesday.
Head coach Hannah Corkum and her coaching staff have done an outstanding job in bringing the once storied Poultney program back to life. The Blue Devils were a powerouse in the mid-1990's when Brianna Tindall and Sarah Gilmore roamed the Poultney pitch.
Ezzo was certainly not looking past Poultney's first round opponent, but did point out that a win could set up a rematch with a Rivendell team that Poultney lost to on a PK a year ago. The #2 Raptors played to a tie against a Mill River team that the Blue Devils just recently beat 2-0. If Poultney stays focused and played well a semifinal birth is not beyond the realm of possibility.
A couple of other local teams certainly also have designs on the state finals. Two-time Defending state champion Proctor went unbeaten during the regular season. The Phantoms are led by prolific socrer Maggie McKearin who has hit the back of the net over 100 times in her career. Isabel Greb also is a consistent scorer for the Phantoms.
West Rutland hasn't been able to solve the Phantoms this season, but is certainly a contender. The Golden Horde is ranked third and is coming off a game last week where eight different players scored.
In Division II Fair Haven is a team to keep an eye on. The 10-2-2 Slaters are the #3 seed and Brittney Love leads the attack for the young Slaters who open the playoffs tomorrow against #14 Milton.
In Division I Rutland is the #4 seed after having their long winning streak snapped. The Ravens open the playoffs Wednesday against #14 BFA-St. Albans.
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Fort Ann Rolls in Class D Girls Soccer
Fort Ann scored early and often as they stormed out of the gate and went on to defeat Loudonville Christian 9-0 in Section II Class D girls soccer opening round play.
Paige Trzaskos opened the scoring just 16 second into the contest to give Fort Ann a 1-0 lead. Olivia Winchell picked up the assist.
Angel Aratare made it 2-0 Cardinals just 31 seconds later and the rout was on. Trzaskos recorded the assist.
Fort Ann went to the halftime break with a 5-0 lead. Winchell hit the back of the net herself and Trzaskos and Aratare each scored again for the Cardinals. Winchell assisted on the Trzaskos and Aratare goals, while Aratare earned the helper on Winchell's tally.
Winchell opened the second half scoring off an assist from Aratare.
Riley Echeandia added a pair of second half goals. Brooke Wright also scored a goal in the final 40 minutes.
Natalie Cody picked up an assist.
Baylee Wright earned the shutout in goal for Fort Ann with three saves.
Fort Ann is now 12-3-2 and moves on to face either Doane Stuart or Germantown in the semifinals.
Loudonville Chrisian ends the season 4-7.
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New York Scoreboard
Section II Tournament
Girls Soccer
Class D
OESJ 4 Salem 1
High School Volleyball
Argyle 3 Granville 0
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With the Border Country Sports Blog, I'm Keith Harrington.
