Solons oust Wasps in D-II quarterfinals
Toolbox
By TOM HERZIG CORRESPONDENT - Published: November 1, 2009
MONTPELIER - Nothing spooky or scary happened to top-ranked Montpelier in their Division II girls soccer quarterfinal on Halloween Saturday. The Solons were treated to an unassisted goal by Caitlin Paterson in the third minute and went on to defeat No. 8 Woodstock 2-0.
Paterson headed an Anna Schwarz corner kick toward the frame then deposited it in the net after it caromed off Wasp goalie Noellen Neisner. "It's my first playoff goal ever," the junior forward said. "I followed it and ran my body through it and it went in."
Sophomore Mollie Gribbin headed in the Solons' second goal in the 52nd minute. Annie Jones assisted on the play, which began with a tackle above the 18-yard box by Molly Carlton. Gribbin had narrowly missed a goal in the 11th minute when her header off Jones' cross went wide. Neisner sprinted out from goal and beat Gribbin to a dangerous ball in the open field in the 30th minute.
Montpelier methodically controlled play in the middle third, winning a majority of balls in the air and 50-50 chances on the ground. Woodstock was unable to get a shot on goal in either half and managed only six attempts. Solon backs Kaitlin Cloutier, Caroline Kessler, Julia Francis and Schwarz quickly snuffed out Woodstock's offensive possessions. At halftime, Montpelier totaled 13 shots (four on goal) and had a 2-0 corner-kick advantage. The Solons took 27 shots in all, but only 10 were on goal. Neisner was credited with eight saves.
"We did what we had to do to get the win," Montpelier coach Eric Bagley said. "The early goals are always important. They play a direct game and we won a lot of balls, but we're going to have to play with more urgency offensively.""We're happy to hold a powerful team like Montpelier to two goals," Woodstock coach Greg LaBella said. "We lost a quarterfinal here last year 7-0. We knew they are a well-tuned team and we wanted to stop their attack and we did a good job.
" Our senior goalie Noellen Neisner came in as a sophomore and kept getting better. She's a great kid who provides a lot of leadership and were going to miss her. Our senior captain Nina McCarthy also played very well for us."
Woodstock finishes with a 7-9 mark. Montpelier (12-2-1) hosts a semi-final match Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Montpelier 2, Woodstock 0
Goals: M - Caitlin Paterson 3rd minute; Mollie Gribben (Annie Jones) 52nd minute; Starters: W - Kate Murphy, Caitlyn Foley, Nina McCarthy, Brooke Gilbreath, Felicia Neuhof, Amy Davis, Emma Aspell, Maya Tracey, Meg Emmons, Morgan Hill, Noellen Neisner. M - Julia Francis, Carly Watson, Anna Schwarz, Tatum Fitzgerald, Mollie Gribbin, Kaitlin Cloutier, Alexis Boucher, Caitlin Paterson, Caroline Kessler, Andie Parento, Caroline Dellipriscoli. Shots (on goal): W - 6 (0). M - 27 (10). Corner kicks: W -0. M - 4. Penalties: W - 9. M 13.
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